# Automated Design and Parametric Modeling of Excavator Buckets
## 3 Parametric Modeling of Excavator Buckets
### Parametric Modeling of Base Part  
Figure 6 shows the algorithm used to design the base part. Figure 5: Excavator bucket design algorithm. The 3D model of the base part is parametrically modeled through configurations and Figure 7 shows its components. Parts with positions 1, 2, and 6 are parametrically modeled and they have different length configurations. This sub-assembly contains three parts that are structurally identical but differ in length. To model parametrically the 3D model of the base part, configurations are created in the Configuration Manager (Figure 8). Each configuration represents a different length of the base part. Base parts differ in length--from 500 mm (NGPD50 FEI) to 1500 mm (NGPD15 FEI). Figure 6: Base part design algorithm. Figure 7: Components of the base part. 1—Blade, 2—Bottom, 3—Side, 4—Left Rib, 5—Right Rib, 6—Horizontal Rib, 7—Internal Rib, 8—Teeth. The next step is to configure the parts in the assembly of the base part. Parts with positions 1 (Blade), 2 (Bottom), and 6 (Horizontal Rib) contain configurations with different lengths. For each configuration of the base part, the corresponding configuration of the parts is set. Figure 9 shows an example of the configurations of the base part and the specified configurations of the blade part. For the respective lengths of the base part, the blade part has the following configurations--from 500 mm (12L5027035 FEP) to 1500 mm (12L1527035 FEP). A single 3D model of the blade part has been developed. Configuring the blade part involves setting different values for its length in the corresponding configuration (Table 2). In this case, parametric modeling is implemented by configuring a dimension from the 3D model of the part. If the part is developed using the traditional modeling approach, a different 3D model of the blade part with the corresponding length must be modeled for each bucket model. In the case of class D buckets, 12 different 3D models of the part must be designed. Modeling multiple parts is a prerequisite for making errors. In addition, the modeling time increases. The number of teeth is different for different bucket configurations. Each tooth consists of several parts (Figure 10a). In the 3D model of the bucket, the parts are assembled and, using the Linear Component Pattern function, multiplied to the required number. For each configuration, the corresponding number of teeth is multiplied by the function. Depending on the configuration that is used, the corresponding geometric construction (Feature) is activated, while the others are suppressed using the Suppressed command (Figure 10b). In this case, parametric modeling is implemented by configuring a geometric construction (Feature) from the 3D model of the bucket. Figure 8: Configurations in the 3D model of the base part. Figure 9: Configuring the blade part. There are different types of bucket teeth and, therefore, different sizes, for example, FK Fast Key, FS Orca S, FE Orca, Super V, CO CAT J, CAT K, KM Komatsu, VL Volvo, etc. [1; 2; 13; 18]. If a bucket with a different tooth model has to be developed using the traditional modeling approach, a completely new 3D model of the bucket must be modeled too. The following figure shows the tooth configuration (FK Fast Key) for a class D bucket, with a length of 1000 mm. Figure 11 shows different lengths of the base part, parametrically modeled with configurations.