Pro Engineer Files: Find Complex CAD Models for Mechanical Engineering

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the request for complex CAD models suitable for mechanical engineering students using Pro Engineer Wildfire. Participants explore the value of such models for learning and the challenges associated with file compatibility between student and professional versions of CAD software.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • A participant requests complex CAD models, specifically for planes or wings, to enhance their learning experience.
  • Some participants suggest that building models from scratch is more beneficial than using complex pre-made models.
  • There is a concern that overly complicated models may confuse beginners rather than aid their understanding.
  • One participant notes that the student version of Pro Engineer cannot exchange files with the professional version, which limits access to shared models.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of creating proper 2-D drawings for communication with machinists, which is often overlooked in CAD discussions.
  • Some participants mention their preference for other CAD software like SolidWorks and Inventor over Pro Engineer, citing ease of use.
  • There is a discussion about the types of models needed for Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), with differing opinions on the suitability of solid models for these analyses.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the utility of complex models for learning CAD. While some advocate for hands-on practice with simpler models, others believe that exposure to complex models can be beneficial. The discussion on file compatibility and the types of models suitable for FEA and CFD remains unresolved, with differing views on what constitutes an appropriate model for these analyses.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations regarding the compatibility of CAD files between student and professional versions, as well as the varying complexity of models required for different types of analyses. There is also mention of the challenges in creating effective 2-D drawings from 3-D models.

aeroplant
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Hey there,

I'm a mechanical engineering student and right now we have CAD lessons. We use Pro Engineer Wildfire (some student edition) and I'd love to see a quite complex model of something. Could anyone send me a CAD file of an plane or a wing or something alike?

Thanks in advance.
 
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Cool website, thank you. There's no model for Pro Engineer though.
 
What do you hope to get from a model if one is sent to you? Just to be up front, there is no way I am sending you one of mine.
 
Fred, seeing how a component is modeled by someone more experienced in CAD helped me to improve. As there are lots of ways to model a part, some better than others to maintain desgin intent and a truly parametric model, having good models are vital to learn from.

Op really the best way for you to begin learning is to make simpleish solid models as many different ways as you can and try to use all the features. If you are getting structured lessons in it I wouldn't bother trying to find complex models to look at yet.

I don't have any Pro/E files as I much prefer SolidWorks.
 
Same with me, i used pro/E two years back. I generally use inventor.

As chris said, start messing around. Learn how to make simple basic features. A complex model is nothing but a combination of several basic ones.
 
Looking at overly complicated models is not a really good way to learn IMO. If you trust the person doing the model then perhaps, but usually, complicated models will just confuse you. Personally I would tell someone to learn how to be a designer first and then worry about how to model something.

Look for tutorials and books. Take it slow and progress slowly. For example, you want to learn more about surfacing? Look for a surfacing tutorial or examples that concentrate on just surfacing.
 
Thanks for all the replies. Well the lessons I take are quite good, but we're just designing not too exciting things. I just wanted to test my grafics card and mess around with a "real" model of something.
Professional models might not even work since I use the "student edition" of Pro/E.
 
That is a good point I do not believe that the student version and professional version can exchange files.

I taught myself pro-E and in my opinion. One of the most important, and often least discussed topics is creating 2-D drawings for communicating with a machinist. It is not hard to create complicated 3-D components but getting proper Y14.7 drawing is a whole other story
 
  • #10
Your right, student and professional can't exchange files.

You can however take the professional file into Uni, and open it and convert it to student using the University Edition, which is only available at Uni, i have done this many times.

I have asked for Pro/E files of aircraft and aerofoils on another forum and no one came up trumps. I wanted the for FEA and CFD.

So, long shot, but anyone with aircraft. aerofoil and automotive Pro/E, Catia, Solidworks or Inventor files i would love a few to apply CFD and FEA too.

On another note, we learned Pro/E, but its the most hated program here at Uni. Pro/E is taught in Year 2, Catia year 1, and you can do assignments in Pro/E or Catia, most choose Catia as it seems so much easier.

I have both Pro/E student(Given by Uni) and Pro/E commercial (Purchased), got the commercial version and then told Uni give them out in year 2, and they would not refund, so stuck with both and there are no advantages at my level.
 
  • #11
You do realize that FEA and CFD require different types of model, and the kind of thing that people would be willing to send (most likely a solid model) is likely to be useless for both.
 
Last edited:
  • #12
We use the same model here for both analyses. The part comes in for the FEA, then it is subtracted out of a bigger chunk for the CFD.
 
  • #13
Are the models you get in assemblies of the system? I'm willing to bet they will be fairly complex models that can be quickly simplified to the level of complexity needed by the analysis.

If you are just given a solid model of the shape then I don't really see any meaningful FEA that can be run. I guess that you could use that geometry for CFD though as you don't really need anything else apart from the surface.

I doubt anyone would be willing to give away full assembly CAD models over the interweb though.
 
  • #14
minger said:
We use the same model here for both analyses. The part comes in for the FEA, then it is subtracted out of a bigger chunk for the CFD.
Same here.
 

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