9/4/2008

SolidWorks On-Line
Tutorials

Introduction to Solid Modeling

Using SolidWorks

A good place to start

Each lesson takes
~30 min.
I use Help
a lot!

Camper model
by Ken Fernalld
CAD/Fab

Sketches

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

Reference Planes
Hint
Rename planes
to be more
descriptive than
Plane1, etc.

2D
On a standard view plane
Front, top, right

On a planar face of a part that was previously

constructed
Look for face selection icon:
Can filter for entity type to select:

On an inserted reference plane

3D
CAD/Fab

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

CAD/Fab

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

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More Reference Planes

Sketch Tips

Toggle planes
on or off for
clarity

CAD/Fab

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

Locate sketch with respect to origin

Extra step to move later

Using Symmetry
to Model Pulley

CAD/Fab

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

Sketch Mirror Tools

Mirror
Mirrors existing entities about reference line

Dynamic Mirror
Mirrors future entities about reference line

1. Sketch approximate
half shape
CAD/Fab

2. Dimension
entities

3. Mirror entities about

vertical centerline

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

CAD/Fab

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

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Mirror Features on Pipe T

Convert Entities
Converts existing entities into sketch plane
Edge projected onto sketch plane

Hint:
Rename
features
as you
build them

1. Model upper half

of pipe
CAD/Fab

Sketch
plane
2. Mirror features about
top plane

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

Extrude entitity
CAD/Fab

Carlsons Laws of
Mechanical Design

Software is available from other vendors for

commonly used mechanical components
e.g. GearTrax can model:
Spur gears
Helical gears
Bevel gears
Worm gears
Sprockets
Gear pulleys
V-belt pulleys
GearTrax is available on ITLL
computers
(click on Camnetics)

Sprocket
2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

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Third Party Software

1. If you can buy it

dont make it!
2. If you can download it
dont model it!

CAD/Fab

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

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CAD/Fab

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

Bevel gears
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Extruded Cut

Revolved Cut

Analagous to
turning in a lathe

Analagous to broaching
a keyway
CAD/Fab

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

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CAD/Fab

Sweep Following 3D Sketch

Profile

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

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Capitalize on Symmetry

Path:
3D Sketch Curve

Second half mirrored

about right plane

CAD/Fab

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CAD/Fab

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

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Loft Feature

Complex Lofts
Lofts may have multiple profiles
and multiple guide curves

Profile 2

Guide curve 1

Guide curve 2

Solid Loft

Profile 1

CAD/Fab

Take advantage of symmetry

Half body mirrored about center
plane to form complete body

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

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CAD/Fab

Extruding Solid Objects

Cessna 206G airplane body

Jacob Mallett

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

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Shell Feature

In order of increasing capability/complexity

Useful for injection molded plastic parts

Boss-extrude
Constant cross-section
Single direction ( sketch
plane)

Sweep
Constant cross-section
Single 3D guide curve

Loft
Varying cross-section
Multiple 3D guide curves
1. Model
as solid

All of these features can create cuts

CAD/Fab

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CAD/Fab

2. Cut in
half

3. Shell
out half

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

4. Add ribs,
swept cuts
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Deform Features

Patterns
Linear or circular patterns simplify creation of
multiple features

Flex

Twist
CAD/Fab

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

Circular Pattern
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CAD/Fab

Linear Pattern

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

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Building a Complex Model

1. Model half groove

Can pattern in two

orthogonal directions

CAD/Fab

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

2. Mirror about center plane

3. Linear pattern 125X
4. Add remaining features
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CAD/Fab

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

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Sheet Metal Parts

Sheet Metal Bends Increase Stiffness

Fold lines
Bending up the edges of this thin
plate a small amount increases its
bending stiffness nearly 7 times

Final part

Corner
cutouts
CAD/Fab

Unfolded flat pattern

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

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CAD/Fab

Measurement

Volume, mass properties

Area, centroid location, area moment of inertia

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

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Measurement

Section properties

CAD/Fab

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CAD/Fab

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Configurations

Equations

Allows the creation of families of parts

wedge angle

Rename dimensions to
make equations make
sense later!

rib
angle

Use Design Tables to

control configuration
dimensions

CAD/Fab

Relationship is maintained
as angle changes

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

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CAD/Fab

2 - Intro to Solid Modeling

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SolidWorks Example
From the annual SolidWorks student contest

Binoculars
F 01 1st place

CAD/Fab

Orthographic Projection

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