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System Minimum and Recommended Specifications To get the best MachineBuilder experience, please consult the following minimum and recommended requirements. System Requirements Specifications Minimum Recommended CPU 4 Cores 4 Cores RAM 8 GB 16 GB GPU Integrated Intel HD Graphics 510 or better Nvidia GTX 960 or better VRAM Integrated 2 GB Display 1920 x 1080 1920 x 1080 Hardware Acceleration Additionally, make sure the Use hardware acceleration when available setting is toggled on in your browser. This allows your browser to use your system’s hardware to better improve your MachineBuilder experience. Here’s how to access the toggle in your browser. Google Chrome (Recommended Browser) Found at chrome://settings/system . If it is off, toggle it on and click Restart to relaunch your browser. Microsoft Edge Found at edge://settings/system . If it is off, toggle it on and click Restart to relaunch your browser. Firefox Found at about …

This guide explains how to change navigation controls in MachineBuilder and what the controls are. How to change navigation controls Open the menu in the top left corner and select Settings. Go to Mouse Settings. Under Change Default Mouse Settings, select your preferred controls. Vention Controls (Default) Zoom: Scroll up to zoom in, down to zoom out. Pan: Click and hold the right mouse button, then drag.. Rotate: Click and hold the middle mouse button, then drag to rotate. Solidworks Controls Zoom: Scroll wheel or hold Shift + middle mouse button and drag. Pan: Hold Control + middle mouse button and drag. Rotate: Click and hold the middle mouse button, then drag. Creo Controls Zoom: Scroll wheel or hold Control + middle mouse button and drag. Pan: Hold Shift + middle mouse button and drag. Rotate: Click and hold the middle mouse button, then drag. AutoCAD Zoom: Scroll wheel. Pan: Middle mouse button drag …

This guide shows you how to navigate in 3D space within MachineBuilder. We recommend using a mouse while using MachineBuilder and not a trackpad. Zooming In/Out Use your mouse’s scroll wheel to zoom in and out of your design. By default, scrolling up will zoom in and scrolling down will zoom out. You can invert this in mouse settings in the Settings menu. Panning Click and hold the right mouse button, then drag your mouse across the design space to pan. Rotating There are three ways to rotate your view in MachineBuilder. Click and hold the scroll wheel, then drag your mouse across the design space to rotate 3your view around the initially clicked point. Hold the space bar, click and hold the left mouse button, and then drag your mouse across the design space to rotate your view around the initially clicked point. Hover your cursor over …

This guide explains how to use the measurement tools in MachineBuilder. Face to Face This tool allows you to measure the distance between two parallel planar surfaces. From the measurement tool drop-down, select “Measure Face to Face”. Once selected, left-click on the first planar surface in your design to set the starting point. Then, left-click on the second parallel planar surface to measure the distance between them. Tip: Use the shortcut “M” on your keyboard to open the face-to-face measurement tool. Edge This tool allows you to measure the length of an edge or the radius of a circular feature. From the measurement tool drop-down, select “Measure Edge”. After selecting it, left-click on the desired linear edge to get the length, or on a circular edge to measure the radius. Tip: Use the shortcut “E” on your keyboard to open the Edge measurement …

This guide explains the snapping increment functionality in MachineBuilder. What is a snapping increment? The snapping increment serves two purposes: It presets the spacing for attaching components. It controls the resolution (jump distance) when translating a component using the slider. Why use the 45mm increment? We recommend using the 45mm increment, as the Vention ecosystem is designed around this measurement. It helps avoid misalignment and provides a smoother design experience. Unit & Increment Selection Choose metric or imperial units from the dropdown menu. Below that, select the snapping increment, which defines the distance between snapping points. Snapping (Attaching) Parts When moving components for attachment, connector icons appear on the secondary component at intervals matching the selected increment, allowing you to snap parts together accordingly. Translating Parts Once a component is attached, you may translate it to another location. The snapping increment controls how far parts will “jump” during translation.

This guide will show you the basics of inserting a component into your MachineBuilder design using our click-and-click interface. Inserting a component without connections Inserting a component requires just two mouse clicks. First, left-click the desired part in the parts library to select it. Then, left-click in your design space to insert it. The part will be added at the clicked location. You can adjust the part’s orientation by pressing the left or right arrow keys before inserting it into your design. Inserting a component with a connection to another part Select your desired part in the parts library by left-clicking on it. Then, move your cursor over to your structure. As you approach, it automatically snaps to the closest point at the preset Snapping Increment. Once snapped, adjust the orientation using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard or screen. Finally …

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Overview Collaborative robots, such as Universal Robot, FANUC, and Doosan, have become an integral part of many manufacturing processes. Both modular and highly customizable, this technology can be adapted to an increasingly widening range of engineering and manufacturing applications. MAP providers have pushed automation technology to become largely “plug and play” via the availability of productized fixed-height pedestals or telescopic columns, though the design of a custom base or pedestal remains commonplace in today’s market. If users wish to design their own pedestal, the force, weight, and reach of a robot can vary widely and must be accounted for in any given application. There exists a few standard open-source stands in Vention’s public assembly library , but individual verification must be performed against the intended use case. This article will walk through key steps to verify the stability of your custom robot base. Stability Verification Two major …

Overview Many components in a manufacturing environment must be secured to a cart or mount for proper functionality. The design process for this assembly, however, requires more than simply creating a mount. You must secure all key components and ensure the assembly is stable enough for all possible orientations and functional movements. This verification is crucial to protecting not only the equipment but also any nearby workers. In this article, we’ll cover how to verify the stability of an assembly where the mounted equipment does not move while in use. Stability The stability of an object generally depends on two things: the width of its base, and the height of its center of mass. We know intuitively that a narrow, top-heavy object is much less stable (i.e., easier to knock over) than a very wide, bottom-heavy object. The same principle must be kept in mind when …

This guide explains how to resize single and multiple extrusions in MachineBuilder. Resize on Insertion When inserting a new extrusion, resize it by dragging the arrow at the end. Click elsewhere in the design space or press “Escape” to confirm. Resize Single Extrusion To resize an already placed extrusion, right-click and select “Resize Extrusion.” Drag the arrows at the ends to adjust the length, then click outside the design space or press “Escape” to confirm. Tip: Use the “L” shortcut after selecting the extrusion to resize. Resize Multiple Extrusions To resize multiple parallel extrusions at once, select them all, then either press “L” or right-click and choose “Resize Selected Extrusion.” Drag the arrows at the ends to adjust the length, then click outside the design space or press “Escape” to confirm.

Overview This design review checklist is applicable for all non-automated equipment. When you’re done putting your equipment together, walk away from it for at least a few hours (or sleep on it) so your mind is fresh for the design review. If you can’t spare the time, or you just want a second perspective, ask a colleague to review your work; we do peer reviews all the time here at Vention. You can also get one of our Application Specialists to review your design. Just send a request through MachineBuilder’s assist toolbar or via live chat at the bottom-right of any Vention webpage. Checklist 1. Frame Parts All frame parts present Starting from the bottom and working your way up, check for any missing extrusions, assembly plates , or other frame connector pieces. Pro tip: Go to the MachineBuilder settings toolbar (bottom) and select Visual Style …

Overview This Vention Design Tip features a comprehensive guide on selecting the appropriate conveyor product for your application based on your speed and load requirements. Vention’s roller and belt conveyors are both featured in this document, along with two different drive types: Stepper Motor and AC motor with VFD. All components are available in Vention’s 3D Machine Builder and can be added to any assembly. All Conveyor applications can be coupled with Vention’s MachineMotion controller and MachineApps. Conveyor types Belt Conveyors 2200 Belt Conveyor Datasheet 3200 Belt Conveyor Datasheet Roller Conveyors 585 Roller Conveyor Datasheet 855 Roller Conveyor Guide 1395 Roller Conveyor Guide Conveyor drive types AC Motors AC Motor and VFD Guide Servo Motors Servo Motor Specs MachineMotion 2 Specs Conveyor accessories Accessories Gearboxes 5:1 Planetary Inline ( MO-PT-001-0001 ) 5:1 Right-Angle ( MO-PT-001-0003 ) AC Motors and VFDs Comparing the …

(MO-LM-010-0001) on 16mm hardened steel shaft (MO-LM-014-XXXX) Suitable for high duty cycle applications requiring minimum friction Shaft available in lengths of 585mm, 855mm, 1530mm and 2295mm Bearing capacity: 1kN each Roller wheels, concentric (MO-LM-001-0028) and eccentric (MO-LM-001-0027) Wheel material: fiber glass reinforced nylon Mounted on 2x double-sealed deep-groove ball bearings Roller radial and axial capacity: 280N each N/A N/A Linear bearings (MO-LM-010-0001) on 16mm hardened steel shaft (MO-LM-014-XXXX) Suitable for high duty cycle applications requiring minimum friction Shaft available in lengths of 585mm, 855mm, 1530mm and 2295mm Bearing capacity: 1kN each Roller wheels, concentric (MO-LM-001-0028) and eccentric (MO-LM-001-0027) Wheel material: fiber glass reinforced nylon Mounted on 2x double-sealed deep-groove ball bearings Roller radial and axial capacity: 280N each Displacement …

What is Machine Tending? Machine tending allows operators to continuously run production machines with minimal human input. Typically, a large number of parts are stored in a part presenter, angled tray, or drawer system, which the robot loads and unloads parts from. Learn more about machine tending applications here . Part Presenting Once you select a gripper with the appropriate finger design, the next step is to customize your part presenter. This is the structure that will hold the parts to be tended (pre- and post-machining). The two most common part presenter options are the configurable trays and the drawers. Configurable Trays Configurable trays consist of a base plate to which pins or plates can be attached, such as threaded nylon pins or steel rest buttons , that act as datum locators. With nylon pins, the work surface can be configured to create repeatable locators specific to the part being tended …

Overview Vention cloud-based MachineBuilder offers an intuitive 3D environment to quickly assemble industrial equipment. Unlike a traditional CAD, Vention’s approach to “assembly constraints” does not rely on connections between faces and edges of selected parts. Instead, Vention’s assembly constraints are based on “automatic connection,” with each connector defining all degrees of freedom of a given part. In most cases, this means that each new part can be added and constrained to an assembly in a single mouse click. This means that a user who masters the guide below can design industrial equipment in literally minutes, instead of hours or days. In this how-to guide, we will cover basic, as well as more advanced, part insertion and connection functionalities of the Vention MachineBuilder platform. Inserting and connecting parts Unlike traditional CAD software, Vention’s cloud-based MachineBuilder does not require users to insert parts into the 3D …

… Solid Edge (.par) Parasolid (.x_t) Unigraphics-NX (.prt) Autodesk Inventor (.ipt) Creo - Pro/E (.prt) You also have the option to import in STEP, STL or IGES. Your design possibilities now extend far beyond the Parts Library. You can now instantly visualize your own components side-by-side with Vention Parts, directly from your favorite CAD system. How to import a CAD file into a Design Importing parts in Vention is simple. From the MachineBuilder you just have to open the menu in the top left corner and select CAD file import. A new “Part Importer” window will appear that will ask you to select your file you would like to import. You can either click on “Select your file” or drag a file into the window. After selecting your part, change to the “Add Connectors” tab. From here, select the “add connector” icon and attach it to the …

also be used as a reference point for inspection jigs when used in conjunction with a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM). For supporting edges, it is recommended to use locators with a V-shape, for Vention’s V-Block Locator ( HW-RP-004-0001 ). These V-Blocks feature a 90-degree cut out with a 5mm relief radius in the base of the V. This presents a perfect resting groove for an array of parts. Since the V-Block locator is made of nonabrasive black acetal, finished parts can be handled without incurring scratches. The V-Block locator also allows for +/- 8mm of height adjustment. Similarly, Vention’s Threaded Locating Pin ( HW-RP-003-0001 ) is also made of non-abrasive black nylon and can be used for edge positioning of a workpiece. This type of locating pin is often used for custom tray configurations in machine tending applications. Part number …

Collaborative robots are making strong inroads on manufacturing floors all across the globe. Every day at Vention, we hear about new use cases for cobots, most of which require custom equipment to adapt to their respective environments. Whether it’s part presentation fixtures, pedestals, or complete robotic cells, we have helped thousands of users customize the equipment they need to get the most out of their cobot investment. One of the most frequent pieces of equipment included in Vention applications is a robot pedestal. Vention offers robot pedestals in three heights; 585mm, 945mm, and 1215mm. However, a custom height pedestal is required in certain use cases and can be designed in MachineBuilder. Below is the list of our top seven design considerations when designing a custom cobot pedestal. 7 Design Considerations for Collaborative Robot Pedestals Considerations Rationale Example 1. Should the pedestal withstand light-duty or heavy-duty applications? Use …

This guide explains how to select multiple parts at once in MachineBuilder using both click and drag window methods. Ctl + Click To select multiple parts at once, hold Ctrl and Left-click on each subsequent part. Left Drag Select Click and hold the left mouse button in open space, then drag from left to right. This action creates a drag window that selects all parts fully inside it. Right Drag Select Click and hold the left mouse button in open space, then drag from right to left. This action creates a drag window that selects all parts that come in contact with it.