Tutorial AS: Arbor Press L-Bar

Source	Ming C. Leu, Wenjin Tao, Amir Ghazanfari and Krishna Kolan, NX 12 for Engineering Design (Missouri University of Science and Technology), section 4.7.3 (L-Bar).
You learn	Block, Move Object (Distance), Cylinder and Block with Subtract and Select Body, Combine Subtract and Unite (Unite / Subtract), Edge Blend
Sizes	the book’s, in inches, typed in millimetres. Blocks 65 × 65 × 285 and 182 × 65 × 85, the second lifted 200. Holes Ø35 and Ø66 along YC, a slot block 25 × 20 × 150. Blends R60 and R30. Four holes Ø8 × 20 along XC, and a block 60 × 20 × 66.

The book’s figures on p. 86 show which edges the blends go on: R60 on the outer corner, R30 on the inner one.

Step by step

1. Two blocks, one moved up

Ctrl+N and save the part as Arborpress_L-bar. Click Block and type Length 65, Width 65 and Height 285 at the origin. Click OK. Click Block again for 182 × 65 × 85, also at the origin. It becomes a body of its own (Boolean None).

Select the second block’s body in the Part Navigator and press Ctrl+T (Move Object). Choose Motion Distance, Result Move Original and the vector ZC, type Distance 5080 mm (200 in), and click OK.

2. The holes and the slot in the top block

Click Cylinder, choose YC, type the point (130, −5, 242) in, Diameter 35 and Height 100. Choose Subtract, choose the top block in Select Body, and click OK. Do the same for the Ø66 × 20 cylinder at (130, 22.5, 242).

Click Block for 25 × 20 × 150 at (157, 22.5, 180), with Boolean None. Make the top block the work body (double-click it in the Part Navigator), select the new block and click Unite / Subtract. Choose Cut and press MB2: that is NX’s Combine > Subtract with the top block as target.

3. One L-bar, rounded

Make the first block the work body, select the top block and click Unite / Subtract. Keep Fuse and press MB2.

Select the outer edge where the blocks meet, click Edge Blend, type 1524 mm (60 in) and press MB2. Do the same with 762 mm (30 in) on the inner edge.

4. The pin holes and the clamp slot

Add four Cylinders along XC, Ø8 × 20, at (162, 11.25, 210), (162, 11.25, 275), (162, 53.75, 210) and (162, 53.75, 275). Subtract each from the L-bar (Select Body). Then add a Block 60 × 20 × 66 at (130, 22.5, 209.5) and subtract it.

Save the part.

The replay

#	In the book (NX)	In FreeCAD NX-Style	Result	Notes
AS1	Create a new file (Arborpress_L-bar)	Ctrl+N, Model template	same	new document ['Unnamed1']
AS2	Units in the New dialog (the book picks inches)	metric part kept; book sizes typed in mm	differs	FreeCAD sets units in Preferences, not in the New dialog; NXStyle defaults to millimetres (document: Standard (mm, kg, s, °); 25.4 mm shows as 25.40 mm)
AS3	Save it as Arborpress_L-bar	file name given once by script (the system file dialog is not driven); a change, then the Ctrl+S key	same	Arborpress_L-bar.FCStd rewritten by Ctrl+S: the file holds the change and the part is unmodified afterwards (modified before the key: True); FreeCAD format, not .prt
AS4	Block 65 x 65 x 285 at the origin	ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Origin and Edge Lengths', XC/YC/ZC 0/0/0 typed, length 65, width 65, height 285 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'None', OK	same	Body: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 0 mm, 6 faces (6 in the reference); origin (0.0, 0.0, 0.0); one undo step ['Block']
AS5	A second Block 182 x 65 x 85, also at the origin	ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Origin and Edge Lengths', XC/YC/ZC 0/0/0 typed, length 182, width 65, height 85 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'None', OK	same	Body001: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 0 mm, 6 faces (6 in the reference); origin (0.0, 0.0, 0.0); one undo step ['Block']
AS6	Edit > Move Object: the second block, Motion Distance, ZC, Distance 200, Move Original, OK	the block’s body selected (Part Navigator), Ctrl+T, Motion 'Distance', Result 'Move Original', Specify Vector 'ZC', Distance 5080 mm typed, OK	same	same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 0 mm, 6 faces (6 in the reference); undo Move Object. The block moves inside its body (the body stays where it is), so a later Unite / Subtract into it cuts where it is
AS7	Cylinder along YC at (130, -5, 242), Ø35 x 100, Subtract from the top block	ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Axis, Diameter, and Height', Specify Vector 'YC', XC/YC/ZC 3302/-127/6146.8 typed, diameter 35, height 100 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'Subtract', Select Body 'Body001' from the list, OK	same	Body001: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 2.7e-12 mm, 7 faces (7 in the reference); origin (3302.0, -127.0, 6146.8); one undo step ['Cylinder']; with Body001
AS8	Cylinder along YC at (130, 22.5, 242), Ø66 x 20, Subtract from the same block	ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Axis, Diameter, and Height', Specify Vector 'YC', XC/YC/ZC 3302/571.5/6146.8 typed, diameter 66, height 20 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'Subtract', Select Body 'Body001' from the list, OK	same	Body001: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 2.7e-12 mm, 11 faces (11 in the reference); origin (3302.0, 571.5, 6146.8); one undo step ['Cylinder']; with Body001
AS9	Block 25 x 20 x 150 at (157, 22.5, 180)	ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Origin and Edge Lengths', XC/YC/ZC 3987.8/571.5/4572 typed, length 25, width 20, height 150 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'None', OK	same	Body002: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 9.1e-13 mm, 6 faces (6 in the reference); origin (3987.8, 571.5, 4572.0); one undo step ['Block']
AS10	Combine > Subtract: Target the block with the two holes, Tool the new block	the target made the work body, the tool selected (Part Navigator) + ribbon 'Home › Feature > Unite / Subtract', type 'Cut', MB2 = OK	same	same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 1.8e-12 mm, 14 faces (14 in the reference)
AS11	Combine > Unite: the two blocks	the target made the work body, the tool selected (Part Navigator) + ribbon 'Home › Feature > Unite / Subtract', type 'Fuse', MB2 = OK	same	same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 1.4e-12 mm, 16 faces (16 in the reference)
AS12	Edge Blend, Radius 60: the outer corner where the blocks meet	Edge39 selected + ribbon 'Home › Feature > Edge Blend', 'filletRadius' = 1524 mm, MB2 = OK	same	same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 1.8e-12 mm, 17 faces (17 in the reference)
AS13	Edge Blend, Radius 30: the inner corner	Edge32 selected + ribbon 'Home › Feature > Edge Blend', 'filletRadius' = 762 mm, MB2 = OK	same	same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 1.8e-12 mm, 18 faces (18 in the reference)
AS14	Cylinder #1 along XC at (162, 11.25, 210), Ø8 x 20, Subtract	ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Axis, Diameter, and Height', Specify Vector 'XC', XC/YC/ZC 4114.8/285.75/5334 typed, diameter 8, height 20 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'Subtract', Select Body 'Body' from the list, OK	same	Body: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 2.3e-12 mm, 20 faces (20 in the reference); origin (4114.8, 285.75, 5334.0); one undo step ['Cylinder']; with Body
AS15	Cylinder #2 along XC at (162, 11.25, 275), Ø8 x 20, Subtract	ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Axis, Diameter, and Height', Specify Vector 'XC', XC/YC/ZC 4114.8/285.75/6985 typed, diameter 8, height 20 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'Subtract', Select Body 'Body' from the list, OK	same	Body: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 7.7e-12 mm, 22 faces (22 in the reference); origin (4114.8, 285.75, 6985.0); one undo step ['Cylinder']; with Body
AS16	Cylinder #3 along XC at (162, 53.75, 210), Ø8 x 20, Subtract	ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Axis, Diameter, and Height', Specify Vector 'XC', XC/YC/ZC 4114.8/1365.25/5334 typed, diameter 8, height 20 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'Subtract', Select Body 'Body' from the list, OK	same	Body: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 5.9e-12 mm, 24 faces (24 in the reference); origin (4114.8, 1365.25, 5334.0); one undo step ['Cylinder']; with Body
AS17	Cylinder #4 along XC at (162, 53.75, 275), Ø8 x 20, Subtract	ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Axis, Diameter, and Height', Specify Vector 'XC', XC/YC/ZC 4114.8/1365.25/6985 typed, diameter 8, height 20 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'Subtract', Select Body 'Body' from the list, OK	same	Body: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 1.4e-11 mm, 26 faces (26 in the reference); origin (4114.8, 1365.25, 6985.0); one undo step ['Cylinder']; with Body
AS18	Block 60 x 20 x 66 at (130, 22.5, 209.5), Subtract from the top block	ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Origin and Edge Lengths', XC/YC/ZC 3302/571.5/5321.3 typed, length 60, width 20, height 66 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'Subtract', Select Body 'Body' from the list, OK	same	Body: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 1.2e-11 mm, 29 faces (29 in the reference); origin (3302.0, 571.5, 5321.3); one undo step ['Block']; with Body
AS19	The L-bar	compared with the book’s dimensions built by the Part API	same	same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 1.2e-11 mm, 29 faces (29 in the reference)
AS20	Save and close the file	file name given once by script (the system file dialog is not driven); a change, then the Ctrl+S key	same	Arborpress_L-bar.FCStd rewritten by Ctrl+S: the file holds the change and the part is unmodified afterwards (modified before the key: True); FreeCAD format, not .prt

In the book (NX)

In FreeCAD NX-Style

Result

Notes

AS1

Create a new file (Arborpress_L-bar)

Ctrl+N, Model template

same

new document ['Unnamed1']

AS2

Units in the New dialog (the book picks inches)

metric part kept; book sizes typed in mm

differs

FreeCAD sets units in Preferences, not in the New dialog; NXStyle defaults to millimetres (document: Standard (mm, kg, s, °); 25.4 mm shows as 25.40 mm)

AS3

Save it as Arborpress_L-bar

file name given once by script (the system file dialog is not driven); a change, then the Ctrl+S key

same

Arborpress_L-bar.FCStd rewritten by Ctrl+S: the file holds the change and the part is unmodified afterwards (modified before the key: True); FreeCAD format, not .prt

AS4

Block 65 x 65 x 285 at the origin

ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Origin and Edge Lengths', XC/YC/ZC 0/0/0 typed, length 65, width 65, height 285 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'None', OK

same

Body: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 0 mm, 6 faces (6 in the reference); origin (0.0, 0.0, 0.0); one undo step ['Block']

AS5

A second Block 182 x 65 x 85, also at the origin

ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Origin and Edge Lengths', XC/YC/ZC 0/0/0 typed, length 182, width 65, height 85 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'None', OK

same

Body001: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 0 mm, 6 faces (6 in the reference); origin (0.0, 0.0, 0.0); one undo step ['Block']

AS6

Edit > Move Object: the second block, Motion Distance, ZC, Distance 200, Move Original, OK

the block’s body selected (Part Navigator), Ctrl+T, Motion 'Distance', Result 'Move Original', Specify Vector 'ZC', Distance 5080 mm typed, OK

same

same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 0 mm, 6 faces (6 in the reference); undo Move Object. The block moves inside its body (the body stays where it is), so a later Unite / Subtract into it cuts where it is

AS7

Cylinder along YC at (130, -5, 242), Ø35 x 100, Subtract from the top block

ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Axis, Diameter, and Height', Specify Vector 'YC', XC/YC/ZC 3302/-127/6146.8 typed, diameter 35, height 100 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'Subtract', Select Body 'Body001' from the list, OK

same

Body001: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 2.7e-12 mm, 7 faces (7 in the reference); origin (3302.0, -127.0, 6146.8); one undo step ['Cylinder']; with Body001

AS8

Cylinder along YC at (130, 22.5, 242), Ø66 x 20, Subtract from the same block

ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Axis, Diameter, and Height', Specify Vector 'YC', XC/YC/ZC 3302/571.5/6146.8 typed, diameter 66, height 20 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'Subtract', Select Body 'Body001' from the list, OK

same

Body001: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 2.7e-12 mm, 11 faces (11 in the reference); origin (3302.0, 571.5, 6146.8); one undo step ['Cylinder']; with Body001

AS9

Block 25 x 20 x 150 at (157, 22.5, 180)

ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Origin and Edge Lengths', XC/YC/ZC 3987.8/571.5/4572 typed, length 25, width 20, height 150 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'None', OK

same

Body002: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 9.1e-13 mm, 6 faces (6 in the reference); origin (3987.8, 571.5, 4572.0); one undo step ['Block']

AS10

Combine > Subtract: Target the block with the two holes, Tool the new block

the target made the work body, the tool selected (Part Navigator) + ribbon 'Home › Feature > Unite / Subtract', type 'Cut', MB2 = OK

same

same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 1.8e-12 mm, 14 faces (14 in the reference)

AS11

Combine > Unite: the two blocks

the target made the work body, the tool selected (Part Navigator) + ribbon 'Home › Feature > Unite / Subtract', type 'Fuse', MB2 = OK

same

same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 1.4e-12 mm, 16 faces (16 in the reference)

AS12

Edge Blend, Radius 60: the outer corner where the blocks meet

Edge39 selected + ribbon 'Home › Feature > Edge Blend', 'filletRadius' = 1524 mm, MB2 = OK

same

same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 1.8e-12 mm, 17 faces (17 in the reference)

AS13

Edge Blend, Radius 30: the inner corner

Edge32 selected + ribbon 'Home › Feature > Edge Blend', 'filletRadius' = 762 mm, MB2 = OK

same

same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 1.8e-12 mm, 18 faces (18 in the reference)

AS14

Cylinder #1 along XC at (162, 11.25, 210), Ø8 x 20, Subtract

ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Axis, Diameter, and Height', Specify Vector 'XC', XC/YC/ZC 4114.8/285.75/5334 typed, diameter 8, height 20 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'Subtract', Select Body 'Body' from the list, OK

same

Body: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 2.3e-12 mm, 20 faces (20 in the reference); origin (4114.8, 285.75, 5334.0); one undo step ['Cylinder']; with Body

AS15

Cylinder #2 along XC at (162, 11.25, 275), Ø8 x 20, Subtract

ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Axis, Diameter, and Height', Specify Vector 'XC', XC/YC/ZC 4114.8/285.75/6985 typed, diameter 8, height 20 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'Subtract', Select Body 'Body' from the list, OK

same

Body: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 7.7e-12 mm, 22 faces (22 in the reference); origin (4114.8, 285.75, 6985.0); one undo step ['Cylinder']; with Body

AS16

Cylinder #3 along XC at (162, 53.75, 210), Ø8 x 20, Subtract

ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Axis, Diameter, and Height', Specify Vector 'XC', XC/YC/ZC 4114.8/1365.25/5334 typed, diameter 8, height 20 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'Subtract', Select Body 'Body' from the list, OK

same

Body: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 5.9e-12 mm, 24 faces (24 in the reference); origin (4114.8, 1365.25, 5334.0); one undo step ['Cylinder']; with Body

AS17

Cylinder #4 along XC at (162, 53.75, 275), Ø8 x 20, Subtract

ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Axis, Diameter, and Height', Specify Vector 'XC', XC/YC/ZC 4114.8/1365.25/6985 typed, diameter 8, height 20 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'Subtract', Select Body 'Body' from the list, OK

same

Body: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 1.4e-11 mm, 26 faces (26 in the reference); origin (4114.8, 1365.25, 6985.0); one undo step ['Cylinder']; with Body

AS18

Block 60 x 20 x 66 at (130, 22.5, 209.5), Subtract from the top block

ribbon 'Home › Feature', Type 'Origin and Edge Lengths', XC/YC/ZC 3302/571.5/5321.3 typed, length 60, width 20, height 66 (in) typed in mm, Boolean 'Subtract', Select Body 'Body' from the list, OK

same

Body: same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 1.2e-11 mm, 29 faces (29 in the reference); origin (3302.0, 571.5, 5321.3); one undo step ['Block']; with Body

AS19

The L-bar

compared with the book’s dimensions built by the Part API

same

same solid as the reference: 0 mm³ differ, box within 1.2e-11 mm, 29 faces (29 in the reference)

AS20

Save and close the file

file name given once by script (the system file dialog is not driven); a change, then the Ctrl+S key

same

Arborpress_L-bar.FCStd rewritten by Ctrl+S: the file holds the change and the part is unmodified afterwards (modified before the key: True); FreeCAD format, not .prt

Result	Means
same	The book’s NX steps work as written.
differs	It works, but the FreeCAD way is different; the notes say how.
limit	The book’s way fails in FreeCAD itself; a workaround follows in the next steps.
missing	FreeCAD has no such function; a stand-in follows.
skipped	Not replayed; the notes give the reason.
FAILED	Did not work.

Result

Means

same

The book’s NX steps work as written.

differs

It works, but the FreeCAD way is different; the notes say how.

limit

The book’s way fails in FreeCAD itself; a workaround follows in the next steps.

missing

FreeCAD has no such function; a stand-in follows.

skipped

Not replayed; the notes give the reason.

FAILED

Did not work.

Each step is compared with the book’s dimensions built by FreeCAD’s Part API.

What differs from NX

NX’s Combine > Subtract and Unite pick a target and tools in one dialog. NX-Style uses FreeCAD’s Unite / Subtract: make the target the work body, select the tool, and choose the type.
Move Object moves a PartDesign body’s features, not the body’s placement. FreeCAD’s Unite / Subtract ignores a moved target body’s placement; see Move Object.