Course 2: Using Solids

In this course, you will learn how to create solids, and how to manipulate them. You will obtain this object.

First of all, launch MINOS and create the current view. For that you need to change the current view in front view. Go to the [View Management] [Create Immediate View] [Front] menu.

Now, you need to create the construction lines. Then, use the [Lines] [Segment Placement] menu.

Create the vertical segments by the [Create a segment with 2 point] menu. For the first one, type [N] for numerical coordinates, and enter "X0,Y-20,Z0" and "DZ10". The segment is created. For the second one, type [N], and enter "X0,Y20,Z0" and "DZ10". The segment is created.
Now create the external circle. So, select the [Lines] [Circle Placement] [Create a circle with center and radius] menu. For the center, type [N] for numerical coordinates, and enter "X0,Y0,Z0". For the radius, enter "40".
Now create the fillets. Select the [Lines] [Circle Placement] [Create a circle tangent to 2 elements with radius] menu. Then, create a first circle tangent to the circle and the left vertical segment. For that, select the [Tangency Constraint] button at the bottom of the screen. Click the circle and the segment next. Enter the radius by typing "10". Note that the result depends on the position of the click.
Proceed with the same manner for the other circles.
Now, create the internal circles. Select the [Lines] [Circle Placement] [Create a circle with center and radius] menu. For the center, type [C] for center, and locate one of the circles. For the radius, enter "5".
Proceed with the same way for the second circle.
We need now to create two circles tangent to the 2 little circles, and centered at the origin. So, select the [Lines] [Circle Placement] [Create a circle with center and a point] menu. For the center, type [N] for numerical coordinates, and enter "X0,Y0,Z0". For the point, select the [Tangency constraint] green button at the bottom of the screen, and click on one side of one little circle. Note that the result depends on the position of the click. Create the two circles like this.

You will now use the Contour Function

Select the [Lines] [Create a complex string with support elements] menu. Now, create the "Contour" by clicking a way on the segments and the circles. Note the different results according to your choice. Each time you are lost, you can push the [Delete] key to step back. When you are on the first element, you can click on [OK] button to close the contour.

Erase all the construction lines by using the [Display Only Selected Elements] menu at the lower right side of the screen. Select the two contours and click [OK].

Look the result.

You are now ready to create a solid.

For that you need to change the current view in axonometric view. Go to the [View Management] [Create Immediate View] [Axonometric] menu.
Go to the [Solid and surface placement] [Create a cylinder] menu.
Select the external contour. Create an edge vector by clicking on a random point, and entering the coordinate by [N] for numerical coordinates, and enter "DX25" to define the translation vector. Go to the [Name an element] menu. Select the result and name it: MAIN .
Note that when you want to cut a solid by another solid, MINOS is unable to correctly handle tangent facets. So, you can't cut the big solid by the little solid, if they are in the same plane. To avoid this, you need to move the little contour on another plane.
Go to the [Transformations] [Move an element] menu. Select the little contour. Create an edge vector by clicking on a random point, and entering the coordinate by [N] for numerical coordinates, and enter "DX-5" to define the translation vector. The little contour has moved to the rear of the first solid.
Now go to the [Solid and surface placement] [Create a cylinder] menu, select the internal contour. Create an edge vector by clicking on a random point, and entering the coordinate by [N] for numerical coordinates, and enter "DX35" to define the translation vector. Go to the [Name an element] menu. Select the result and name it: PERFO.
Note that this solid is longer than the first one.

You are now ready to define the other solids.

You need first to define the horizontal axis. This axis is created by a revolved solid. You need to create the meridian. Select the [Lines] [Polyline Placement] menu. Enter the coordinates by typing [N] for numerical coordinates and by typing: "X30,Y0,Z0 [Enter] Y7.5 [Enter] X5 [Enter] Y5 [Enter] X-7.5 [Enter] Y0 [Enter] [Enter]".
Note that during the process, the line appears.
After that, you need to define the big cutting solid. This solid will be a cylinder on a shape. So, select the [Lines] [Place a Shape] menu. Enter the coordinates by typing [N] for numerical coordinates and by typing: "X10,Y-10,Z-50 [Enter] Y10 [Enter] Z10 [Enter] Y50 [Enter] Z50 [Enter] Y-50 [Enter] Z10 [Enter] Y-10 [Enter] [Enter]".

You are now ready to create the solids.

Create the horizontal axis. Go to the [Solid and surface placement] [Revolution Surface] menu. Select the polyline, and click [OK]. The axis is created. Go to the [Name an element] menu. Select the result and name it: AXIS1.
You will now create the other horizontal axis. Go to the [Solid and surface placement] [Create a circular cylinder] menu. Enter the coordinates of the axis by typing [N] for numerical coordinates and by typing: "X17.5,Y-25,Z2.5 [Enter] Y25 [Enter][Enter]". Enter "5" for the radius. The second axis is created. Go to the [Name an element] menu. Select the result and name it: AXIS2.
You need now to create the last solid. Go to the [Solid and surface placement] [Create a cylinder] menu. Select the shape. Create an edge vector by clicking on a random point, and entering the coordinate by [N] for numerical coordinates, and enter "DX30" to define the translation vector. Go to the [Name an element] menu. Select the result and name it: CUT.
All the solids are created now.

You are ready to create the final result by using the topological operation.

Go to the [Solid and surface placement] [Cut a solid by other Solids] menu. Push on the [Stack location] green button at the bottom of the screen. Select "MAIN" in the stack for the solid, and select PERFO AXIS1 AXIS2 and CUT for the tools. Then, click OK.

You have your result ! The topological operations are the most powerful functions of MINOS.

Download the files of this course.