Skip to main content

Featured Post

VFD vs Soft Starter for Conveyors: Preventing Gearbox Failure

You selected the right AGMA Class gearbox . You calculated the belt tension perfectly. But the moment you hit "Start," the belt snaps or the gearbox makes a terrifying clunk. The culprit is likely your Starting Method . In conveyor systems, the starting torque profile matters more than steady-state power. Note: We previously discussed VFDs as Energy Savers for pumps and fans. For conveyors, however, the goal is not lowering your electric bill—it is preventing your gearbox from exploding. Table of Contents 1. The Physics of Shock Loads 2. Why Soft Starters Stall Conveyors 3. The VFD Torque Advantage 4. Comparison: Cost vs. Protection 5. Final Verdict Advertisement 1. The Physics of Shock Loads When an AC induction motor starts Direct-On-Line (DOL), it draws 600% to 800% of its rated current (Inrush Current). More importantly, it produces a sudden spike known as Locked-Rotor Torqu...
Post a Comment
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Free Professional 2D CAD: Solid Edge 2D Drafting Guide

Siemens Solid Edge 2D Drafting interface showing parametric mechanical drawing and constraints

Figure 1: Solid Edge 2D allows for full parametric constraints and kinematic simulation—features usually reserved for expensive 3D CAD.

The Best Kept Secret in CAD

In an industry dominated by expensive subscription models (like AutoCAD), finding a truly Free, Professional-Grade 2D CAD tool is rare.

Siemens Solid Edge 2D Drafting is not just a "viewer" or a trial version. It is a full-featured drafting package that Siemens releases for free to the public. Whether you are upgrading from old versions like ST7 or starting fresh in 2025, this software remains one of the most powerful tools for mechanical designers, offering capabilities that rival paid software costing thousands of dollars.

Advertisement

Why Use Solid Edge 2D for Mechanism Design?

Most free CAD tools (like LibreCAD) are just "digital drawing boards"—they draw lines, but they don't understand logic. Solid Edge is different because it uses Parametric Relationships.

1. Kinematic Simulation (Virtual Prototyping)

Before you build a 3D model, you can solve complex mechanism problems in 2D.
By applying constraints such as Tangent, Concentric, or Connect, you can simulate movement.

  • Cam & Follower: Apply a "Tangent" constraint between a circle (roller) and a spline (cam profile). As you rotate the cam, the roller moves automatically.
  • Four-Bar Linkages: Connect lines with "Pin" joints and drag them to check for clearance or locking points.

2. The "Goal Seek" Function

Pro Tip: This is a hidden gem for engineers. Instead of doing complex trigonometry to find a missing length, you can use Goal Seek.

Example: "I need this linkage to rotate exactly 45 degrees. What length does the driving arm need to be?" The software iterates and calculates the dimension for you.

Advanced Feature: Excel & VBA Integration

For power users, Solid Edge 2D allows you to link dimensions directly to an Excel Spreadsheet.

  • Parametric Design: Create a "Master Spreadsheet" where you type in Length, Width, and Height. The CAD drawing updates automatically.
  • VBA Automation: Since it links to Excel, you can write Visual Basic (VBA) scripts to generate thousands of part variations (families of parts) instantly.
Advertisement

Migration: Replacing AutoCAD

If you are moving away from .DWG based workflows to save cost, Solid Edge 2D is the safest transition.

  • Native DWG/DXF Support: It opens and saves AutoCAD files faithfully, preserving layers, fonts, and blocks.
  • Paper Space / Model Space: It uses a familiar layout concept (Sheet vs. 2D Model) so the learning curve is minimal.
  • Diagramming: Includes extensive libraries for P&ID, Electrical Schematics, and Flowcharts.

Download the Latest Version

Siemens keeps the link active and the software updated. You will need to register for a free account to access the download.

References & Tutorials

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dowel Pins & Locating Pins: The Basics of Fixture Design

Figure 1: A typical fixture setup. Notice how dowel pins (silver) provide precise location, while bolts (not shown here) provide the clamping force. In the world of Precision Engineering , the difference between a high-quality product and a scrap part often comes down to microns. While bolts hold parts together, they are terrible at positioning them. This is where Dowel Pins and Locating Pins become essential components in industrial tooling . Advertisement What is a Dowel Pin? Dowel pins are precision-ground fasteners used to secure the relative position of two parts. They are typically machined to extremely tight tolerances (often within 0.0001 inches) and are available in materials like: Hardened Steel: For high-wear applications in CNC fixtures . Stainless Steel: For corrosion resistance in medical or food processing machinery. Plastic (Thermoplastic): For lightweight, non-conductive, low-load alignment. The ...
Post a Comment
Read more about this Mechanical Design Article »

Roberts straight-line mechanism

Figure 1: A modern linear ball slide (like this THK model) is the contemporary solution for precise straight-line motion. Many modern engineering applications require components to move in a precise linear fashion, known as " straight-line motion ". Today, we take this for granted. We can simply purchase an off-the-shelf Linear Motion Guide that moves a device accurately along a rail with low friction. The Historical Challenge: Making a Straight Line However, in the late 17th and early 18th centuries—before the development of high-precision milling machines—it was extremely difficult to manufacture long, perfectly flat surfaces. Creating a sliding joint without significant backlash was nearly impossible. During that era, engineers had to rely on Linkages . Much thought was given to the problem of attaining a straight-line motion using only revolute (hinge) connections, which were much easier to manufacture. The most famous early result was...
Post a Comment
Read more about this Mechanical Design Article »

Engineer's Guide to Ball Detent Torque Limiters

Figure 1: The ball detent mechanism provides precise overload protection by disengaging instantly when the torque limit is exceeded. The First Line of Defense: Overload Clutches In high-speed automation and heavy industrial machinery, a "jam" is not a matter of if , but when . Whether it is a cardboard box getting stuck in a packaging machine or a tool crashing in a CNC lathe, the resulting torque spike can destroy gearboxes, twist shafts, and burn out expensive servo motors in milliseconds. A torque limiter (or overload clutch) is the mechanical fuse of the drive system. While electronic monitoring (current limiting) is common, it is often too slow to prevent physical damage from the massive kinetic energy stored in the system inertia. A mechanical torque limiter provides a physical disconnect that operates in a fraction of a second. Search for Torque Limiters & Safety Couplings Advertisement Why Choose ...
Post a Comment
Read more about this Mechanical Design Article »