Optimum design of the metal bellows on the SolidWorks platform

Introduction. The metal bellows are widely used in various technical systems as the sensitive, compensating and separating elements. A variety of possible constructive solutions using bellows causes a broad range of standard sizes specified in GOST. In this regard the problem of the metal bellows design, which in the present case resolves itself to the choice of the bellow corresponding to the set specifications optimum, is important. Thus, the purpose of the research is the development of technique and software for the optimum design automation of the considered class structures. Materials and Methods. SolidWorks is the world leader in the area of CAD/CAE computer aided design-engineering system and possesses not only a developed standard functionality, but also opportunities of extension of this functionality by the user. In this article SolidWorks is used as a platform for the development of Add-In application to create automatically the metal bellow 3D model for the given parameters from the database corresponding to the given specifications. At the same time access to SolidWorks simulation functionality, through the analysis of SolidWorks Simulation, and to the appropriate database is provided by COM technology. For the solution of the optimization problem, the functionality of the Add-In-application developed by authors of this article is used. A development environment is MS Visual Studio C ++ (2015). The basis for work is object-oriented programming with API SolidWorks use. Results. The technique of optimum design of the metal bellows is developed. The software represents the SolidWorks application for practical use creating the project solution in the form of 3D models (parts and assemblies) corresponding to the given specifications. Discussion and Conclusions. The developed technique and software reduce considerably time for the development of the project for structures of the considered class.