EXE-KSO-NR1801

Release 03/18

Novel techniques in the shaft editor for fast modelling

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1 Document information
1.1 Document change record
Revision Date Author Comments
0 18-01-31 HD Original document
01 18-05-02 HD Additional functions added
02 18-09-02 HD Additional functions described

1.2 Table of content

1 Document information ............................................................................................................. 2
1.1 Document change record ........................................................................................................................ 2
1.2 Table of content ...................................................................................................................................... 2
1.3 References .............................................................................................................................................. 2

2 Summary, shaft editor in KISSsoft release 03-2018 ................................................................ 3

2.1 Changes in menus and windows, settings .............................................................................................. 3
2.2 Settings for background grid ................................................................................................................... 9
2.3 Using grip points ................................................................................................................................... 10
2.4 Using tree structure ............................................................................................................................... 11

3 Examples .............................................................................................................................. 13
3.1 Single shaft ........................................................................................................................................... 13
3.2 Coaxial shaft ......................................................................................................................................... 16

1.3 References
[1] KISSsoft release 03-2018
[2] Gearbox drawing, No. 1, EXE-KSO-NR1801-00-Rel1803-EES-Shaft modelling-1.DXF
[3] Shaft model, No. 1, EXE-KSO-NR1801-00-Rel1803-EES-Shaft modelling-1.W10
[4] Gearbox drawing, No. 2, EXE-KSO-NR1801-00-Rel1803-EES-Shaft modelling-1.DXF
[5] Shaft model, No. 2, EXE-KSO-NR1801-00-Rel1803-EES-Shaft modelling-1.W10

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2 Summary, shaft editor in KISSsoft release 03-2018
2.1 Changes in menus and windows, settings
There are a number of changes in the menus and windows in the shaft editor, making it faster and more
convenient to use. On top of the modelling area, there is now a set of commands available as shown below,
including (from left to right)

Figure 2.1-1 New menu buttons on top of editor.

Selector To pick elements in the shaft editor

Move To pan the shaft model
Zoom box To zoom into a detail area
Measure To measure distances in z and y direction
Zoom in To zoom into a region of interest
Zoom out To get an overview of the shaft model
Fit window To see the complete model
Save To save a graphics file
Print To print the shaft model
Overview To show shaft properties in shaft overview window
Mirror all To mirror the complete shaft system
Mirror To mirror the selected shaft
Show drawing To include a dxf drawing as a background image
Remove drawing To remove above drawing

Similar options may also be used in the module specific settings, tab “Shaft editor”:

Figure 2.1-2 Corresponding items in module specific settings.

The elements box is now available, either as a docked or floating window. With a click on the respective icon, the
corresponding element is added to the shaft model immediately, accelerating the modelling process.

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 Figure 2.1-3 Elements box to add system elements, shaft inner and outer geometry and features.

Using right mouse click in the shaft editor gives access to a range of options including:

Selector To pick elements in the shaft editor

Move To pan the shaft model
Zoom box To zoom into a detail area
Measure To measure distances in z and y direction
Zoom in To zoom into a region of interest
Zoom out To get an overview of the shaft model
Fit window To see the complete model
Save To save a graphics file
Print To print the shaft model
Settings To control the graphics in the shaft editor

In the settings, the following options are available:

Show coordinate system
Display symmetry line
Show millimeter grid lines
Show automatic dimensioning
Display reference cone apex
Movable forces and supports
Display shadowed
The x, y, z coordinate symbol is shown in the origin of the model
The symmetry line can be shown or hidden
As a background, a grid can be shown or hidden
The diameter and length dimensions as well as bearing positions are shown
For bevel gears, the reference cone can be shown or hidden
If activated, elements like bearings can be moved with the mouse
Shafts can be displayed with a shadow or flat

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 Figure 2.1-4 Options available with right mouse click.

The above options for controlling the display in the shaft editor are explained below:

Figure 2.1-5 Millimeter grid on and off.

Figure 2.1-6 Flat and shadowed display.

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 Figure 2.1-7 Without and with dimensions shown.

Figure 2.1-8 Coordinates and symmetry line shown or not.

Note that there is a function for mirroring either the selected, single shaft or the complete coaxial shaft model:

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 Figure 2.1-9 Top left: original configuration. Top right: selected shaft mirrored. Bottom left: all shafts mirrored.

The zoom function allows for modelling in an area of the overall model.

Figure 2.1-10 Left: zoom function, area to zoom in shown. Right: after zooming.

Drawings may be imported as a background and then again hidden. On this background drawing, the shaft
model may be built quickly.

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 Figure 2.1-11 Top left: import of a dxf drawing as background. Top right: drawing hidden. Bottom left: drawing as background and
shaft model. Bottom right: shaft model gear and bearings added

Use the “Move” button to move an imported *.dxf drawing. It will turn red and can be moved using left mouse
button. Click on the button again to lock the drawing in place. For example, use this function if the imported *.dxf
drawing needs to be moved such that the left end centre point of the shaft needs to be moved to the coordinate
systems / origin in KISSsoft (see orange arrow below).

Figure 2.1-12 Moving a *.dxf drawing that was imported as a background.

Use the button to show the shaft properties of all shafts in a model.

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 Figure 2.1-13 Shaft overview, listing all shafts and their main properties.

2.2 Settings for background grid

In module specific settings, tab “Shaft editor”, settings for the background grid are available. The background grid
can be activated or de-activated. The grid size can be defined in horizontal and vertical direction separately, in
two settings for metric and imperial units.

Figure 2.2-1 Module specific settings, background grid.

Figure 2.2-2 Left: grid size set to different values for x and y direction. Right: grid size set to 10mm in x and y direction.

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2.3 Using grip points
A new feature are the grip points on the cylindrical and conical elements available for the modelling of the outer
and inner contour.

To model a shaft quickly, just add some generic elements for inner and outer contour as shown below. Then,
click on an element and it will turn red. Grip points will appear. Use the grip points to increase the size in radial or
axial or diagonal direction. For cones, additional grip points are shown to manipulate left and right side diameter.
The same functionality is available for the inner contour.

Figure 2.3-1 Top left: generic shaft model consisting of five elements for the outer contour and three elements for the inner contour.
Top right: first element is selected, grip points for increasing radial, axial or diagonal dimension active. Bottom left: for conical
elements, additional grip points can be used. Bottom right: grip points on an element for the inner contour.

It is also possible to convert cylindrical elements to conical elements (but not vice versa). Use right mouse click
on a cylindrical element and select “Convert into conus”. Then, use the top or bottom right grip point to change
the right side diameter of the conus.

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 Figure 2.3-2 Converting a cylindrical element to a conical element, for outer contour.

Further to the above conversion, an element may be split into two.

Figure 2.3-3 Splitting a cylindrical element into two.

Note that this option is only available for cylindrical elements, not conical elements.

2.4 Using tree structure

There is a small but helpful new function in the tree structure. In particular if there are many coaxial shafts,
scrolling through the tree structure takes some time, depending on the complexity of the model. Use the “+” and
“-“ button to collapse and expand the tree structure:

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 Figure 2.4-1 Collapsing and expanding tree structure.

Also, with right mouse click, single shafts in a model of coaxial shafts can be hidden and shown:

Figure 2.4-2 Complex shaft model with several coaxial shafts as defined in the tree structure.

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 Figure 2.4-3 Use right mouse click and select “Show only this shaft”. Only one shaft is shown and connecting bearings are also
hidden.

Figure 2.4-4 Use right mouse click and select “Display all shafts” → all shafts are again shown.

Figure 2.4-5 If flag “Display shaft” is removed, then, the particular shaft is not shown but the others (those for which the flag is still
active) are shown.

3 Examples
3.1 Single shaft
Open KISSsoft, go to shaft calculation module and start with an empty file. Press to include a *.dxf drawing.

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 Figure 3.1-1 Top left: select drawing to import. Top right: After import. Bottom left after zooming in.
Bottom right: Use measure function to verify scale.

To model the shaft, we need six cylindrical elements. Add those by clicking six times on the symbol shown below:

Figure 3.1-2 Adding cylindrical shaft elements

Now, select each element and use the grip point to adjust its size to match the dimensions of the shaft as per the
drawing.

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 Figure 3.1-3 Adjusting first and second cylinder dimension to match drawing. Select the element, use grip points to change size.

Figure 3.1-4 Left: shaft geometry completed. Right: bearings and gear added.

Shaft features like radii or relief grooves may be added now. Again, use the icons in the element box to add
those to the shaft section selected.

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 Figure 3.1-5 Adding features, e.g. a radius.

See file “EXE-KSO-NR1801-00-Rel1803-EES-Shaft modelling-1.DXF” and “Shaft model EXE-KSO-NR1801-00-

Rel1803-EES-Shaft modelling-1.W10”

3.2 Coaxial shaft

Start KISSsoft shaft editor with a new file and import the drawing “EXE-KSO-NR1801-00-Rel1803-EES-Shaft
modelling-2.DXF”. We want to model the sun shaft, the planet carrier as a shaft and the ring gear. We therefore
need three shafts in coaxial arrangement. Between carrier and ring, there are two bearings.

Figure 3.2-1 Left: dxf file imported. Right: three shafts in Elements tree.

Now, model the sun shafts by adding the required of cylindrical and conical elements and by adjusting the size
using the grip points:

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Figure 3.2-2 Top left: sun shaft modelled. Top right: all shafts modelled. Bottom left: bearings added and support on ring gear added.
Bottom right: gears added. Note that the bearing between sun and carrier is a connecting bearing.

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 Figure 3.2-3Adding the input gear

Modelling the sun gear can be done by using a single gear with multiple meshes:

Figure 3.2-4 Gear on shaft with multiple meshes.

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 Figure 3.2-5 Definition of each mesh.

Figure 3.2-6 Adding the output coupling.

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 Figure 3.2-7 Adding the carrier coupling

See file “EXE-KSO-NR1801-00-Rel1803-EES-Shaft modelling-2.DXF” and “Shaft model EXE-KSO-NR1801-00-

Rel1803-EES-Shaft modelling-2.W10”.

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