Suspension Link Plate

 

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Measurement Unit: Grams (g) Kilograms (kg)

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CAD Modelling Challenge #12 — Engineering Drawing Breakdown NX Modelling Challenge #12 | NXDATUM 04DTM23 This week's challenge is a large-scale structural drag link or connecting rod — the kind of component found in heavy machinery linkages, steering systems, and industrial press mechanisms. At 982.9mm overall length, this is the largest part in the series so far. The swept centreline profile, compound radii, and I-beam cross-section from Section A-A make this a genuine advanced-level challenge. Front View — The Mounting Ends The front view establishes the two end flanges — each carrying 4× Ø50 through-holes arranged in a bolt pattern around a central bore. The overall length is 982.9mm with a 423.7mm inner span between the flange faces and a 200mm central reference. Each end flange is 150mm wide. The flanges are the starting point of your model — sketch one end flange profile, extrude it, and mirror to the opposite end after the connecting body is built. Bottom View — The Swept Centreline Profile The bottom view is the most dimensionally complex view on this sheet. The connecting body between the two flanges is not a straight link — it follows a curved centreline path with compound radii. Key dimensions include a 400mm straight central segment, 291.4mm and 67.5mm offset references, 2× R107.5 transition curves on the left end, 2× R70 curves approaching the right flange, an R30 and R45 blend at the junction, and vertical offsets of 96.3mm and 97.6mm defining the sweep height. The 165.4mm dimension confirms the total lateral offset of the centreline from end to end. In Siemens NX, this profile must be sketched as a single fully constrained spline or arc-chain on the bottom datum plane — do not attempt to build this with straight extrusions and fillets after the fact. Section A-A — The I-Beam Cross-Section Section A-A cuts through the connecting body and reveals an I-beam or H-section profile — 55mm total width, with flange thicknesses at 150mm top and bottom and a 100mm web height, giving a total section height of 300mm with a 45mm web reference. This cross-section is constant along the swept path. In Siemens NX, use the Sweep along Guide or Swept feature — define the I-section as your profile sketch and the centreline arc-chain from the bottom view as your guide curve. This is the correct approach; extruding and cutting will not produce the correct swept geometry along a curved path. Modelling Strategy in Siemens NX Start by sketching the swept centreline path on the bottom datum plane using the compound radii from the bottom view — fully constrain every arc and tangency. Sketch the I-beam cross-section profile on a perpendicular plane at one end of the guide curve. Use the Sweep feature to generate the connecting body along the full guide path. Model the end flanges as separate extrusions on the termination faces of the swept body. Use a Unite operation to merge the flanges and the link. Finally, place the Ø50 hole patterns on each flange and verify that the overall length matches 982.9mm exactly before checking mass properties. What This Challenge Tests This task tests advanced trajectory sketching, swept feature application with complex guide curves, and large-scale assembly thinking. Interpreting a nearly 1-meter long part from 2D views requires high spatial visualization skills. Complete the model in Siemens NX, run mass properties, and submit your answer on the NXDATUM validation tool. Created by NXDATUM | Siemens NX CAD Modelling Series | All dimensions in mm | Scale 1:1 | Sheet A3