The size, weight, surface area, and other

properties available from a solid model

are most often part of the design
constraints your design must satisfy
satisfy.
The following are mass property calculations available in
todayss solid modelers:
today
Volume

Density

Mass

Surface area

Centroid

Moment of Inertia

Product of Inertia

Radii of Gyration

Principal Axes

Principal Moments

Volume is the amount of three-dimensional

space that
h an object
b
takes
k up.
Design
g engineers
g
use this value to
determine the amount of material needed to
produce a part.
V=HxWxL
V=4x4x8
V = 128 in3

4
4

Density is defined as mass per unit volume.

Density
y is different for every
y material and can
be found in a machinist handbook.

Mass is the amount of

matter in an object or the
quantity of the inertia of
the object.
Many materials are
purchased by weight; to
find weight, we need the
mass.
mass

Polypropylene has a
density of .035 lbs/in3

Mass = Volume x Density

Mass = 128 in3 x .035 lbs/in3

Using
g the volume from the
previous example. (128 in3) Mass = 4.48 lbs.

Surface area is the squared

dimensions of the exterior
surface.
f
Surface area is important
p
when
determining coatings and heat
transfer of a p
part.
A= 4in x 4in = 16 in

B= 4in x 8in = 32 in2

C= 4in x 8in = 32 in2

D= 4in x 8in = 32 in2

D
E

E= 4in x 8in = 32 in2

B= 4in x 4in = 16 in2
A + B+ C + D+ E + F = 160 in2

A 3D point defining the

geometric center of a solid.
Do not confuse centroid
with the center of gravity.
The two only
y exist at the
same 3D point when the
part has uniform geometry
and
d density.
d it

An objects opposition to
changing its motion about
an axis.
This property is most often
used
d when
h calculating
l l i the
h
deflection of beams.

= Integral (Calculus)

I = r pdV
2

I = Moments of Inertia
r = Distance
Di t
off all
ll points
i t in
i an
element from the axis
p = Density
y of the material
dV= Division of the entire body
into small volume units.

Is similar to moments of inertia only that

products of inertia are relati
relativee to two axes
instead of one.
You will notice an XY
XY, YZ
YZ, or ZX after the I
symbol when defining products of inertia
compared to moments of inertia.
inertia

A dimension from the axis where all mass is

concentrated,
d and
d will
ll produce
d
the
h same
moment of inertia.

kx =

IIx
m

K = Radius of gyration about an axis

M = Mass
I = Moments of inertia

The lines of intersection created

from three mutually
perpendicular planes, with the
three p
planes p
point of intersection
at the centroid of the part.

The X, Y, and Z axes show

the principal axes of the
ellipsoid.

Principal moments are the

moments of inertia related to
the principal axes of the
part.
part