Introduction To Pro/ENGINEER

Peter Kitson

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About Pro /ENGINEER

Pro /ENGINEER (Pro/E) is a program that is used to create precision three dimensional computer models. The 3-D parts created on Pro /E use a technique known as solid modeling, (as opposed to wire frame or surface modeling). Other important descriptors used to classify Pro/E include: feature-based, associative, and constraint (or parametric)-based. The tutorials will expose you to the meanings of these terms.

Pro /E is a fully parametric CAD program This means that the geometry of features (e.g., holes, slots) on a part have to be fully specified in terms of size, shape, orietation, and location. This specification allows the user to write equations (i.e., relations) which decribe how features on individual parts or multiple parts should relate to each other. For example, in an engine, if the diameter of the piston is increased or decreased, the corresponding engine block is automatically modified to match the specifications of the new piston. For the student, full parametrics means that you must have a strategy before you start modeling of what features you want and how you want to constrain them within the part.

Starting Pro /E v20

Pro /E v20 can be run from any PC running NCSU Unity or Eos. Ideally the computer will have at least a 17" monitor and 64Mb of RAM. The program icon will be in the Launcher. Double-click and the following windows appear:

Below it is the message window , which shows text responses to many of the input commands. This window is also where text is typed at command prompts that ask for information such as dimensions and part names. It is normal for you to only see two lines of this window at a time. You can resize any window to suit individual preferences.

At the very top of the main window is the pull-down menus and icons. The pull-down menus perform much as they do on other Windows-based programs. The icons provide fraequently used file, view control, and display control commands. In some cases they duplicate commands that exist in other menus.

Cascading menus appear to the right of the main menu once a file is opened. The menus displayed will be based to the command chosen. Sub-menus appear (most of the time) below the menu holding the command that called it. If there is not enough room on the screen, scroll bars will appear on the menu. The command window will give you a brief description of menu item you have your mouse over in yellow.