This function allows the user to create single or multiple binders. After the binder is created, the color of CREATE button changes from red to black. The user can create several types of binder described below, as illustrated in Figure 6.2.2.
Figure 6.2.2 Binder Type
1. FLAT BINDER
Use a flat rectangular surface to define the binder shape.
2. CONICAL BINDER
Use a conical surface with two radii to define the binder shape.
3. TWO-LINE BINDER
Use two orthogonal cross lines to define the binder shape.
4. BOUNDARY LINE BINDER
Use the part boundary line or user-selected/created line to define the binder.
5. FREE FORM BINDER
Use the binder section lines from selected locations on the screen to define the binder.
A detailed description of each function in BINDER dialog box is provided in the following sections.
This function is used to create a flat binder, as illustrated in Figure 6.2.1. The BINDER MARGIN and BINDER SHIFT parameters are used to control the binder size and position relative to the part, respectively.
BINDER MARGIN
This function allows the user to expand the binder size. The value of the BINDER MARGIN is the distance between the boundary of the original binder and the expanded binder.
BINDER SHIFT
This function is used to adjust the shortest vertical clearance between the part edge and the binder surface. If positive BINDER SHIFT is entered, the binder will be shifted along the -Z axis and vice versa. The BINDER SHIFT directly affects the draw depth of a part.
The following two options are used to define the orientation of a flat binder.
DEFINE BINDER ORIENTATION
The DEFINE BINDER ORIENTATION function controls the U-V direction of the binder surface.
When the button is clicked, the part is displayed in the X-Y view. The POINT OF FIRST CONTACT is highlighted with a white circle and the following message is printed in the message prompt window:
CLICK
AND HOLD THE LEFT MOUSE BUTTON AT THE CROSS HAIR CENTER.
MOVE THE MOUSE TO ROTATE. RELEASE THE MOUSE BUTTON WHEN DONE
As illustrated in Figure 6.2.3, two orthogonal cross lines is created. The line with an arrowhead indicates U-axis of the binder surface. Click and hold left mouse button, following by moving the mouse to obtain a desirable orientation of the U-V axes.
Figure 6.2.3 Two Control Lines
SELECT 3 NODE/POINT
This function enables the user to select three nodes to define binder orientation. The first two nodes are used to define the U direction of the binder surface, while the third node completes definition of the flat binder surface.
The following steps are needed to create a binder:
1. Enter the BINDER MARGIN and BINDER SHIFT.
2. Define the proper orientation of the U-V direction.
3. Click the CREATE button at the lower right corner of the dialog box. eta/DYNAFORM generates the binder surface and stores it in a new part named C_BINDER. The part is automatically assigned as TOOL (binder). Refer to Section 10.2.1 for a detailed explanation on the TOOL part.
4. If a binder has already been created in the C_BINDER part, a DYNAFORM QUESTION dialog box as illustrated in Figure 6.2.4 is displayed.
Figure 6.2.4 Dynaform Question dialog box
YES – Override previously created binder with the current definition.
NO – Keeps the previously created binder.
CURRENT BINDER
This function is used to display
the current binder part. If there are multiple binder parts exiting in the
current project, the user can click on button to select
the binder part to be modified or operated. Once this button is selected, a
dialog box as illustrated in Figure 6.2.5
appears to prompt the user to select a binder part.
Figure 6.2.5 Select Binder Part dialog box
Once the binder is created, the edit functions are activated. The edit function are used to modify the binder, as shown in Figure 6.2.6.
Figure 6.2.6 Binder Edit options
The editing functions are described as following:
MOVE BINDER
This function allows the user to adjust relative distance between the binder and the part. The relative distance will affect the draw depth of the part. Click on the MOVE BINDER button to display a dialog box as illustrated in Figure 6.2.7.
The user can select the following methods to move the binder:
1. Select MOVE DIRECTION (U, V or W) and enter the translation distance in the input field of U, V and W. Click on the APPLY button to move the binder along the selected direction. The REVERSE OPERATION option is used to reverse the translation of binder.
2. Translate the binder by dragging the SLIDER bar as illustrated in Figure 6.2.10. If the bar is slid to the right, the binder will be translated in the positive direction along the selected axis and vice versa. Click on the APPLY button to accept the new binder position.
The total binder travel will be displayed in the input field of BINDER TRAVEL. The total binder travel is dynamically updated as the user moves the slider.
Figure 6.2.7 Move Binder dialog box
ROTATE BINDER
This function allows the user to rotate the binder to an orientation relative to the part.
1. Click on the ROTATE BINDER button to display a dialog box as illustrated in Figure 6.2.8. By default, the center of binder is set as the center of rotation with U, V, W axes parallel to X, Y, Z axes of global coordinate system, respectively. The user can click CREATE button to define the local coordinate system. The user can define the center of rotation by click on the CENTER OF ROTATION button, following by picking a location using mouse cursor.
Figure 6.2.8 Rotate Binder dialog box
2. After the center of rotation is defined, the user can select axis of rotation by toggle on one of the three toggle boxes for U, V and W. The angle of rotation is entered in the input field, following by clicking on the APPLY button to rotate the binder.
3. The user is given an option to rotate the binder by moving the SLIDER bar to either left or right. Moving the slider to the left will rotate the binder in clockwise direction, and vice versa. While moving the slider, the user can observe the dynamic view of binder from the display area. The amount of rotation angle is recorded in the box right below the SLIDER bar as illustrated in Figure 6.2.8.
4. The user can also create a LCS which U, V and W axes are parallel to the X, Y, Z of global coordinate system. Click on the CREATE button to display a dialog box as illustrated in Figure 6.2.9 to define the LCS. Select a point as the origin and click on the OK button to create the LCS. Click on the SELECT button to display the SELECT LCS dialog box, following by clicking on the C.S.ID button to select the appropriate identification number of the LCS.
5. Once the appropriate LSC is selected, the user can select the axis of rotation by toggle on U, V, or W. The angle of rotation is entered in the input field, following by clicking on the APPLY button to rotate the binder. The user can also rotate the binder by moving the slider bar to either left or right.
Figure 6.2.9 INPUT COORDINATE dialog box for selecting origin of the LCS
6. If the REVERSE OPERATION option is selected, and the binder will be rotated about the defined axis of rotation in the opposite direction after clicking the APPLY button.
Click on the OK button to dismiss the dialog box.
MESH
This function is used to generate the binder mesh using the binder surface. A dialog box as illustrated in Figure 6.2.10 is displayed.
Figure 6.2.10 Element Size dialog box
eta/DYNAFORM calculates the default maximum and minimum element size of the mesh based on the shape and size of the binder surface. The user may enter the desirable value in the input fields. MAX SIZE controls the maximum element size of the mesh, while MIN SIZE controls the minimum element size of the mesh.
• CREATE
This function creates a binder surface and stores it in the part named C_BINDER.
NOTE: If there is an existing C_BINDER part in the current database, eta/DYNAFORM creates a part named BINDER01. Subsequently, if additional binders are created, BINDERn+1 will be created. eta/DYNAFORM recognizes the binder created from the binder menu.
• DELETE
Remove all binder surfaces and mesh from the database.
• EXIT
Close the BINDER dialog box.
This function is used to create a conical binder surface using two arcs. The radius defined at each end of the binder determines the conical shape. Once the function is selected, the input field of RADIUS 1 and RADIUS 2, as illustrated in Figure 6.2.11, are activated.
Figure 6.2.11 Conical Binder dialog box
The user can drag the slider to modify the RADIUS1 and RADIUS2, simultaneously or separately. Click on the radio button located next to Radius 1 and Radius 2 to activate the slider effect. Radius 1 is the starting radius at the tail end of the U direction that is marked with an arrowhead. Radius 2 is the end radius on the opposite end of the binder. eta/DYNAFORM dynamically displays the binder shape as the user drag the slider to modify the radius. Figure 6.2.25 shows a typical conical binder.
Figure 6.2.12 An illustration of generation of conical binder surface using two arcs
NOTE: eta/DYNAFORM calculates the default conical Radius 1 and conical Radius 2 based on the size and shape of the part.
The TWO-LINE BINDER function is used to create a binder with curvatures in both the X and Y directions. The dialog box is illustrated in Figure 6.2.13.
Figure 6.2.13 Two-line Binder dialog box
• DEFINE BINDER ORIENTATION
The DEFINE BINDER ORIENTATION function controls the U-V direction of the binder surface.
When the button is clicked, the part is displayed in the X-Y view. The POINT OF FIRST CONTACT is highlighted with a white circle and the following message is printed in the message prompt window:
CLICK
AND HOLD THE LEFT MOUSE BUTTON AT THE CROSS HAIR CENTER.
MOVE THE MOUSE TO ROTATE. RELEASE THE MOUSE BUTTON WHEN DONE
As illustrated in Figure 6.2.14, two orthogonal cross lines is created. The line with an arrowhead indicates U-axis of the binder surface. Click and hold left mouse button, following by moving the mouse to obtain a desirable orientation of the U-V axes.
• TRIM REFERENCE LINE
The shape of the binder is determined by the following factors: reference point, orientation of the U-V axes, length of the U-V axes, and the part geometry. If some of the details on the part are not acceptable during creation of binder shape, the user can truncate the reference line to adjust the curvature of the binder. Figures 6.2.15-6.2.17 illustrates binders created using different lengths of U-V axes.
Figure 6.2.14 Two Control Lines Figure 6.2.15 Two Line binder (before trimming)
Figure 6.2.16 Trim Reference Line Figure 6.2.17 Two Line Binder From Trimmed Reference Line
This function generates a binder surface using the boundary of part. If a region of part can be a region of binder, the user can select this function. The dialog box is illustrated in Figure 6.2.18.
Figure 6.2.18 Boundary Line Binder
DEFINE BINDER ORIENTATION
This function defines the UV-direction of the binder surface. The line with the arrow controls the surface shape and must be parallel to the direction of the part boundary. Figure 6.2.19 shows a typical orientation of the U-V axes relative to the part.
Figure 6.2.19 Define Binder Orientation
CREATE BOUNDARY LINES
This function generates boundary lines of the part. The boundary lines are kept in the current part. Figure 6.2.20 illustrates typical boundary line of a part.
EDIT BOUNDARY LINE
The functions in this menu are used to edit the boundary lines. The dialog box is illustrated in Figure 6.2.21. The description of edit line functions is discussed in Section 5.1.
Figure 6.2.20 Edit Boundary Line dialog box
Figure 6.2.21 Created Boundary Line
SELECT BOUNDARY LINE
This function is used to select the desired boundary lines to generate binder surface. The selected line will be highlighted such as illustrated in Figure 6.2.22. Click on the CREATE button to generate the binder surface. The generated binder is illustrated in Figure 6.2.23.
Figure 6.2.22 Selected Boundary Line
Figure 6.2.23 Created Binder
If the binder is not acceptable, the user may create another binder by editing the boundary.
This function is used to generate a binder surface by using the section lines created on the work plane. The dialog box is illustrated in Figure 6.2.24.
Figure 6.2.24 Free Form Binder dialog box
DEFINE BINDER ORIENTATION
This function is used to define UV-direction of the binder surface. The line with the arrowhead controls the surface shape and must be parallel to the direction of the part boundary. Figure 6.2.19 illustrates a typical orientation of the U-V axes relative to the part.
CURRENT VIEW AS V-W PLANE
This function enables the user to set the current view as workplane. For certain parts, it is not suitable to define the binder U-V axes from the top view using the DEFINE BINDER ORIENTATION function. The user may rotate the part to locate a suitable view for defining section line of the binder, following by clicking on the CURRENT VIEW AS V-W PLANE button to define the binder U-V plane according to the view. eta/DYNAFORM sets the binder V axis parallel to the screen X direction (from left to right). The binder W axis is defined parallel to the screen Y direction (from bottom to top). The binder U axis is obtained by the right hand rule (normal from the screen). In summary, the binder V-W axes are parallel to the screen X-Y axes. The user will be able to define the binder section line in the current view.
DEFINE SECTION LINE
This function is used to select locations on the screen to define the section line at both ends of the binder along the binder U axis. Click on the DEFINE SECTION LINE button to display the SELECT POINTS dialog box as illustrated in Figure 6.2.25. The part model in binder V-W plane is automatically displayed and the following message is printed in the message prompt window:
CLICK LOCATIONS ON THE SCREEN TO DEFINE SECTION LINE
CLICK LEFT BUTTON TO SELECT, RIGHT TO REJECT, MIDDLE TO EXIT
Figure 6.2.25 Selected points dialog box
SHOW GRID: Select this option to display the V-W grid plane. Use mouse cursor to select locations on the grid to define the section line.
LENGTH: Set the edge length of the grid plane.
DIVISION: Set the unit length of the grid plane.
NUMBER: Set the number of grid lines.
UPDATE: Update the grid plane.
The user may define as many locations on the screen as necessary to define the section line. eta/DYNAFORM extends the section line according to the binder margin defined in the dialog box. Figure 6.2.26 illustrates a typical section line defined on the screen.
Figure 6.2.26 Typical Section Line
eta/DYNAFORM assigns the defined section line to both ends of the binder (along the binder U direction) according to the binder margin. The user may use the editing function to modify the section either or both section lines.
DEFINE CONTROL LINE
This function allows the user to define the shape of the binder along the binder U direction. If the user does not define the control line, straight lines between the section lines at both ends of the binder are automatically created. Once this function is activated, the part model is displayed in binder U-W plane and the following message is printed in the message prompt window.
CLICK LOCATIONS ON THE SCREEN TO DEFINE CONTROL LINE
CLICK LEFT BUTTON TO SELECT, RIGHT TO REJECT, MIDDLE TO EXIT
The user may define as many locations on the screen as necessary to define the control line. eta/DYNAFORM maps the control line to join the section lines. Figure 6.2.27 illustrates a typical control line joining the section lines.
Figure 6.2.27 Typical Control Line Joining Section Lines
EDIT SECTION LINE
This function allows the user to modify the shape of the section line or control line. Please refer to a detailed description in Section 5.1.15.
DELETE SECTION LINE
This function allows the user to delete the section line or control line. If a section line is deleted, eta/DYNAFORM assigns the existing section line to the opposite end of the binder. If the control line is deleted, eta/DYNAFORM returns to the default setting that uses a straight line connecting the section lines at both ends of the binder.
COPY SECTION LINE
This function allows the user to copy the section line to the opposite end of the binder. Figure 6.2.28 illustrates a typical free form binder with a curved control line.
Figure 6.2.28 A Typical Free Form Binder with Control Line