In this tutorial, we will learn how to create a spur gear in AutoCAD. Spur gears are one of the most commonly used types of gears in mechanical engineering. They consist of cylindrical disks with teeth that mesh with each other to transmit motion and power between parallel shafts.
Step 1: Setting up the Drawing
Before we start creating the gear, let’s set up our drawing in AutoCAD. Open a new file and choose the appropriate units for your project.
- Select the “Line” tool from the toolbar or use the “L” shortcut key to draw a horizontal line.
- Enter the desired length of your gear and press “Enter”. This line will serve as the base for our gear.
Step 2: Creating Gear Teeth
Now that we have our base line, let’s create the teeth for our gear. We’ll use a combination of lines and arcs to achieve this.
- Select the “Offset” tool or use the “O” shortcut key to create an offset line above the base line.
This offset will represent the tooth height.
- Draw a vertical line from one end of the base line to intersect with the offset line.
- Select both lines and choose “Trim” from the toolbar or use the “TR” shortcut key to remove unnecessary portions of these lines.
Creating Arcs for Gear Teeth
To create arcs that connect our tooth profile, follow these steps:
- Use either “Arc” tool or enter “ARC” in command prompt and press “Enter”.
- Select three points: one at each end of the horizontal base line and one on the intersection of the base line and offset line.
- Press “Enter” to create an arc that connects these points.
Repeat these steps to create teeth all around the gear. Make sure to maintain equal spacing between teeth for smooth operation.
Step 3: Adding Center Hole
Now, let’s add a center hole to our gear. Select the “Circle” tool or enter “CIRCLE” in the command prompt and press “Enter”.
- Select the midpoint of your gear as the center point for your circle.
- Enter the desired radius for your hole and press “Enter”.
Step 4: Finishing Touches
Your gear is almost complete! To give it a more realistic appearance, you can add fillets to soften sharp edges. Use the “Fillet” tool or enter “FILLET” in the command prompt and press “Enter”. Select each corner that you want to fillet and enter a radius value.
Congratulations! You have successfully created a spur gear in AutoCAD.
Feel free to experiment with different parameters like tooth profile, number of teeth, and dimensions to meet your specific requirements. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be able to design complex gears with ease!