3D drawing, alignment

[Anonymous]

hello guys, 

I am trying have three drawings: a barrel mesh, 2screws which are solid. When I try to fit them together it seems that one of the screws is not aligned into the barrel correctly, its actually located outside. I thought that simply moving the barrel in either the y or z direction would solve the problem but it didnt, same with moving the screws. Please can you kindly help me align the screws into the barrel. I desperately need these aligned for my simulation. 

thanks in advance for your help. 

[JDMather]

What are the intended units for your geometry (it is tiny)?

When creating solid models you should have delobj variable set to 0 (off) and put the generating geometry on a hidden layer.

If you had done this - you could use the axis of revolution/helix to align the parts.

Are the two screws the same, or are they different?

You should create your geometry with logical reference to 0,0,0 and the X,Y or Z axis (Cartesian Coordinate System).

If I create a line starting at absolute (0,0,0) it should be the axis of your screw.

(preferably with the axis on Z)

[Anonymous]

Many thanks for your response.

Intended units are mm.

The two screws are different in terms on orientation as in my simulation I need to rotate them. 

Many thanks for the dwg files. I can see that you have managed to change the files so that they fit together. I am new to autocad so will take on your comments and see if I can do it by myself. 

Just one more question with regards to the barrel, I am unable to convert it into stl format as its a mesh. How can I convert this please as I need it to be stl file for my simulation. When I try to convert it to a solid I am unable to do so and when I try to convert it to STL I am unable to so.

thanks in advane for your assistance.  

[JDMather]

Your document units (accessed with command -dwgunits with the preceeding - sign) indicate that you are working in inches.

Your parts are not likely to print to the correct size.

Are you a student?

If so, why are you using AutoCAD for this design rather than Autodesk Inventor.  (Students can get Inventor for free here.)

You might try Thicken of your surfaces into solids.

Is there a reason you did not create the Barrel as a solid to begin with?

[Anonymous]

Many thanks for your reply.

I have changed the units to mm. 

I require the barrel to be a mesh in my simulation and the screws to be solid. 

I do have autocad inventor, I tried to convert the mesh to stl using this and I am also unable to. Maybe becuase I have not used it a lot. Can you give me basic instructions how I can use inventor to convert the mesh to stl file. 

Since I will be using Autocad for the screws and Inventor for the mesh, would I come across problems that I was having earlier in terms of alignment and orientation etc?

Thanks in advance for your assistance. 

[JDMather]

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amundozah1 wrote: 

I have changed the units to mm. . 

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When I check your file - it appears to be .088in or 2.235mm.

I wouldn't use AutoCAD for this design.

Unit awareness is just one reason.

I recommend starting over in Inventor.

[Anonymous]

thanks for your response. 

I will redraw the barrel using Inventor. 

However, 

1) Can you give me basic instructions how I can use inventor to convert the mesh to stl file. 

2) As I will be using Autocad for the screws and Inventor for the mesh, would I come across problems that I was having earlier in terms of alignment and orientation etc?

thanks again for your help, very much appreciated

[JDMather]

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@Anonymous wrote:
....2) As I will be using Autocad for the screws and Inventor for the mesh

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Why?

[Anonymous]

thanks for your response. 

The company that supplied me with the elements that make up the screws advised me to use cad as the 3d drawing were generated using autocad. I then also draw the barrel on autocad. From your advise I will re-draw the barrel in Inventor and also the screws. Finally, please can you supply me basic instructions how I can use inventor to convert the mesh to stl file. thanks a lot for your help.