Thanks for the extra help unfortunately our workgroup has finished the VVT system now so there is nothing more I can do about it.

We were however able to live without having the helical gears fully assembled and just fitted them together with an axial align relationship then positioned them manually which allowed us to produce drafts of the system and complete the project.

As to the limitations of the student version, the version we have is the V18 (student version) I believe there is a V19 out at the moment or soon but the only limitations on the student version are that when printing out drafts they have a 'student version' logo in the background and the full version cannot open files created using the student version.

I have since learned that there is a student version of a 'gear' add-on to solid edge available free over the internet called 'Dynamic Designer'. Admittedly this software comes in a more basic form in solid edge anyway and it is for modelling motion but it would be a useful tool for gears none the less.

Thanks again for all your help.

Chris