Pro Engineer

This self-paced tutorial is modeled on portions of the book titled "Inside ProENGINEER" by James Utz and W. Robert Cox (Onword Press). Typical time required to complete the tutorial is 1-2 hours. READ the instructions CAREFULLY during the exercise, especially the part about saving your work. Pro/ENGINEER is a feature based, parametric solid modeling program. As such, it's use is significantly different from conventional drafting programs. In conventional drafting (either manual or computer assisted), various views of a part are created in an attempt to describe the geometry. Each view incorporates aspects of various features (surfaces, cuts, radii, holes, protrusions) but the features are not individually defined. In feature based modeling, each feature is individually described then integrated into the part. The other significant aspect of conventional drafting is that the part geometry is defined by the drawing. If it is desired to change the size, shape, or location of a feature, the physical lines on the drawing must be changed (in each affected view) then associated dimensions are updated. When using parametric modeling, the features are driven by the dimensions (parameters). To modify the diameter of a hole, the hole diameter parameter value is changed. This automatically modifies the feature wherever it occurs - drawing views, assemblies, etc. Another unique attribute of Pro/ENGINEER is that it is a solid modeling program. The design procedure is to create a model, view it, assemble parts as required, then generate any drawings which are required. It should be noted that for many uses of Pro/E, complete drawings are never created. A typical design cycle for a molded plastic part might consist of the creation of a solid model, export of an SLA file to a rapid prototyping system (stereolithography, etc.), use of the SLA part in hands-on verification of fit, form, and function, and then export of an IGES file to the molder or toolmaker. A toolmaker will then use the IGES file to program the NC machines which will directly create the mold for the parts. In many such design cycles, the only print created will be an inspection drawing with critical and envelope dimensions shown.
This tutorial is designed to introduce you to several of the basic features of Pro/E by creating a model of a car body. You will create a datum system, extrude a solid shape, add edge rounds, form a shell, and cut out the windows and wheel openings. Although there are no prerequisites, some familiarity with PC's and the Windows operating system is helpful.