Abstract: The technology of Virtual Prototype (VP) and the software of Pro/Engineer
(Pro/E) are introduced. The characteristics of structure and function of shaft-end generator in
railway wagons are described, as well as Three Dimensional (3D) design process of its VP Model.
The applications of the idea of modularity and the method of concurrent design in the general
design of shaft-end generator are presented, and the application of the method of parametric
design in its detail design is described in detail, mainly including component dimension
parameterization, assembling constrain parameterization and two parametric tools, namely
external copied geometry and external preference. The function of multi-disciplinary analysis in
the structural design is presented with the example of regarding the thickness of permanent
magnet as parametric variable. Via the work of the structural design of shaft-end generator in
railway wagons, practice shows that advanced 3D design technique and excellent
multi-disciplinary analysis methods are very most important tools and parts in the product
structural design based on virtual prototype technology, and also, the design cycle and cost can be
reduced and the product can be guaranteed to meet the requirements of users.

Key words: virtual prototype, shaft-end generator, three dimensional design;
multi-disciplinary analysis, Pro/Engineer