SolidWorks 2007 bible phần 1 pot

3 Understanding Feature-Based Modeling ...4 Understanding History-Based Modeling ...6 Sketching with Parametrics ...9 Understanding Design Intent ...14 Editing Design Intent ...15 View,

2007 Bible

Matt Lombard

2007 Bible

2007 Bible

Matt Lombard

Copyright © 2007 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

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About the Author

Matt Lombard holds a mechanical engineering degree from Rochester Institute of Technology in

Rochester, New York Matt has worked as a design and manufacturing engineer in the medical andmicroelectronics industries Currently, through his company Dezignstuff, he works mainly as aconsumer product modeling consultant and technical writer

Before becoming an engineer, Matt went to music school for two years and performed with theNavy band for four years He still plays in local community groups for fun Having grown up in theAdirondack Mountains of northeastern New York, he now calls the Shenandoah Valley of Virginiahome

Quality Control Technicians

Laura AlbertBrian Walls

Preface xxiii

Acknowledgments xxvii

Part I: SolidWorks Basics 1 Chapter 1: Getting Familiar with SolidWorks 3

Understanding Feature-Based Modeling 4

Understanding History-Based Modeling 6

Sketching with Parametrics 9

Understanding Design Intent 14

Editing Design Intent 15

View, Sketch Relations 15

Display/Delete Relations 15

Suppressed Sketch Relations 16

Working with Associativity 16

Summary 16

Chapter 2: Navigating the SolidWorks Interface 19

Identifying Elements of the SolidWorks Interface 20

Toolbars 21

Menus 46

Cursors 50

FeatureManager and PropertyManager windows 51

Task pane 53

Status bar 54

2D Command Line Emulator 55

Making the Interface Work for You 56

Customizing colors 56

Customization strategies 56

Working with multiple-document windows 61

Tutorial: Getting to Know the Interface 63

Tutorial goals 64

Copy the existing settings 64

Set all interface items to their default settings 65

Customizing the CommandManager 66

Customizing menus 68

vii

Change interface colors 69

Adding hotkeys 70

Combining macros with hotkeys 71

Summary 71

Chapter 3: Getting Started with SolidWorks 73

Tools for Beginners 73

SolidWorks license agreement 74

Welcome to SolidWorks 74

Quick Tips 75

Online documentation 77

Hardcopy documentation 78

Identifying SolidWorks Documents 79

Document types 79

Saving your setup 80

Templates 81

Opening Existing Documents 85

Opening a document 86

Understanding file references 87

Using Visualization Tools 89

Changing the view 89

Using color and optical properties 100

Tutorial: Creating a Part Template 102

Tutorial: Visualization Techniques 105

Summary 109

Chapter 4: Working with Sketches 111

Opening a Sketch 112

Identifying Sketch Entities 113

The Sketch toolbar 113

The Dimensions/Relations toolbar 132

Inferencing in Sketch 135

Exploring Sketch Settings 137

Using Sketch Blocks 138

Tutorial: Learning to Use Sketch Relations 140

Tutorial: Using Blocks and Belts 143

Summary 145

Chapter 5: Creating Simple Parts, Assemblies, and Drawings 147

Asking the Right Questions 147

Is the part symmetrical? 148

What are the primary or functional features? 148

In what ways is the part likely to change? 148

What is the manufacturing method? 149

Will there be secondary operations? 149

Will there be other versions? 150

viii

Contents

Creating a Simple Part 150

Where to start? 150

Symmetry 151

Make it solid 152

Making the groove 158

Tutorial: Creating a Simple Assembly 169

Tutorial: Making a Simple Drawing 174

Summary 180

Part II: Building Intelligence into Your Parts 181 Chapter 6: Getting More from Your Sketches 183

Editing Sketch Relations 183

Display/Delete relations 184

SketchXpert 186

Copying and Moving Sketch Entities 187

Move entities 187

Rotate entities 187

Copy entities 188

Scale entities 188

Modify sketch 188

Copy and paste 190

Simple drag 190

Derived sketch 190

Using Sketch Pictures 191

Three views 192

Perspective 192

Sharp edges 193

Using Sketch Text 193

Using Colors and Line Styles with Sketches 195

Color Display mode 195

Line color 195

Edit color 195

Line thickness and line style 195

Tutorial: Editing and Copying 196

Tutorial: Controlling Pictures, Text, Colors, and Styles 200

Summary 203

Chapter 7: Choosing a Feature Type 205

Identifying When to Use Which Tool 205

Extrude 206

Revolve 210

Loft 211

Sweep 221

ix Contents

Creating Curve Features 224

Helix 225

Projected curve 226

Curve Through XYZ Points 228

Curve Through Reference Points 230

Composite curve 230

Split lines 230

Filleting 231

Creating a constant radius fillet 233

Creating variable radius fillets 240

Face fillet 243

Full round fillet 250

Setback fillet 251

Selecting a Specialty Feature 254

Dome and Shape 254

Wrap feature 257

Flex 260

Deform 263

Indent 266

Tutorial: Bracket Casting 267

Tutorial: Creating a Wire-Formed Part 272

Summary 275

Chapter 8: Patterning and Mirroring 277

Patterning in a Sketch 277

A little test 277

Patterning a sketch 278

Mirroring in a Sketch 280

Mirror Entities 281

Dynamic Mirror 281

Symmetry sketch relation 282

Geometry Pattern 282

Patterning Bodies 283

Patterning Faces 284

Patterning Fillets 285

Understanding Pattern Types 286

Linear Pattern 286

Circular Pattern 288

Curve Driven Pattern 289

Sketch Driven Pattern 292

Table Driven Pattern 294

Fill Pattern 295

Mirroring in 3D 296

Mirroring bodies 296

Mirroring features 296

Mirroring entire parts 297

x

Contents

Tutorial: Creating a Circular Pattern 297

Tutorial: Mirroring Features 299

Summary 301

Chapter 9: Using Equations 303

Understanding Equations 303

Creating equations 304

Using driven dimensions 308

Equation tricks 310

Using Link Values 311

Using Global Variables 313

Using Expressions 313

Tutorial: Using Equations 314

Summary 315

Chapter 10: Working with Part Configurations 317

Controlling Items with Configurations 318

Finding configurations 318

Activating configurations 320

Creating configurations 322

Derived configurations 324

File size considerations 324

Controlling dimensions 325

Controlling suppression 326

Controlling custom properties 327

Controlling colors 328

Controlling sketch relations 328

Controlling sketch planes 329

Controlling configurations of inserted parts 330

Library features 331

Unconfigurable items 332

Using Design Tables 332

What can be driven by a design table? 333

Creating a simple design table 334

Design table settings 340

Editing the design table 341

Tutorial: Working with Configurations and Design Tables 342

Summary 346

Chapter 11: Editing and Evaluation 347

Using Rollback 347

Using the Rollback bar 348

Other Rollback techniques 353

Reordering Features 353

Reordering Folders 355

Using the Flyout FeatureManager 355

Summarizing Part Modeling Best Practice 356

xi Contents

Using Evaluation Techniques 359

Draft analysis 360

Thickness Analysis 365

Undercut Detection 367

Verification on Rebuild 368

Check 369

Reflective techniques 370

COSMOSXpress 374

MoldflowXpress 377

Tutorial: Making Use of Editing and Evaluation Techniques 380

Summary 387

Part III: Working with Assemblies 389 Chapter 12: Organizing Assemblies 391

Identifying the Elements of an Assembly 391

Standard reference geometry items 393

Assembly equations 393

Assembly layout sketch 394

Assembly reference geometry 395

Parts and subassemblies 396

Folders 396

Mates 396

Assembly features 396

Component patterns 396

In-context reference update holders 397

Smart Fasteners 397

Hole Series 397

Using Subassemblies 398

Creating subassemblies from existing parts 399

Organizing for performance 400

Organizing for the BOM 401

Grouping subassemblies by relative motion 402

Organizing groups of purchased components 403

Depicting an assembly process 403

Patterning considerations 404

Using Folders 404

Creating folders in the FeatureManager 404

Adding items to existing folders 405

Reordering items in the tree 406

Working with Tree Display Options 406

Show feature names and descriptions 407

Show component and config names and descriptions 407

Viewing features, mates, and dependencies 409

Tutorial: Managing the FeatureManager 411

Summary 411

xii

Contents

Chapter 13: Getting More from Mates 413

Applying Mates 414

Mating through the Mate PropertyManager 414

SmartMates 417

Mating with macros 420

Mating for Motion 420

Degree-Of-Freedom analysis 420

Best bet for motion 421

Working with Advanced Mate Types 423

Symmetric mate 424

Cam mate 424

Width mate 425

Gear mate 426

Rack and Pinion mate 426

Limit mates 426

Belt/Chain 428

Editing and Troubleshooting 428

Editing existing mates 428

Troubleshooting 430

Distinguishing between the Warnings and the Errors 430

Examining Mate Options 432

Summarizing Mate Best Practices 432

Tutorial: Mating for Success 433

Summary 438

Chapter 14: Assembly Configurations and Display States 439

Using Display States 439

Display States and configurations 440

Display States and drawings 442

Understanding Assembly Configurations 443

Configurations for performance 443

Configurations for positions 448

Configurations for product variations 451

Design tables for assembly configurations 452

Assembly configuration dos and don’ts 453

Creating Exploded Views 453

Tutorial: Working with Assembly Configurations 460

Summary 464

Chapter 15: Component Patterns 465

Using Local Component Patterns 466

Local pattern references 466

Using Derived Component Patterns 469

Understanding Other Pattern Options 470

Dissolve Pattern 471

Add to new folder 471

xiii Contents

Component pattern display options 471

Component patterns and configurations 471

Tutorial: Creating Component Patterns 472

Summary 473

Chapter 16: Modeling in Context 475

Understanding In-Context Design 475

Advantages of in-context modeling 476

Potential problems with in-context modeling 476

Dealing with the Practical Details of In-Context Modeling 476

The in-context process 477

In-context best practice suggestions 485

Other Types of External References 493

Inserted parts 493

Split parts 494

Mirror parts 494

Tutorial: Working In-Context 494

Summary 500

Part IV: Creating and Using Libraries 501 Chapter 17: Using Hole Wizard and Toolbox 503

Using the Hole Wizard 503

Anatomy of a Hole Wizard hole 505

2D versus 3D placement sketches 506

Making and using Favorites 510

Using the Hole Series 512

Comprehending Toolbox 515

How Toolbox works 515

Toolbox in a multi-user environment 523

Toolbox administration 525

Using Toolbox 532

Organizing Toolbox parts in an assembly 537

Recommendations 537

Tutorial: Gaining Experience with the Hole Wizard and Toolbox 538

Summary 547

Chapter 18: Working with Library Features 549

Using Library Features 549

Getting started with library features 550

The Library Feature interface 550

Other Design Library functions 554

Creating Library Features 557

Creating a library feature .557

Creating a library feature from an existing part 562

Adding folders to the library .564

xiv

Contents

Tutorial: Working with Library Features 564

Summary 570

Chapter 19: Using Smart Components 571

Understanding Smart Components 571

Using Smart Components 572

Getting started with a simple Smart Component 572

Auto-sizing Smart Components 575

Making Smart Components 577

Getting started with a simple Smart Component 577

Creating an auto-sizing Smart Component 580

File management with Smart Components 585

Editing Smart Components 586

Tutorial: Working with Smart Components 587

Summary 590

Part V: Creating Drawings 591 Chapter 20: Automating Drawings: The Basics 593

The Difference between Templates and Formats 593

Can templates be changed? 594

Why have different templates or formats? 594

Creating Drawing Formats 595

Customizing an existing format 595

Creating a format from a blank screen 601

Creating a format from an imported DWG/DXF file 602

Saving the format 605

Second sheet formats 605

Creating Drawing Templates 606

Using predefined views in drawing templates 606

Using favorites and blocks in templates 610

Custom properties in templates 611

Saving a template 612

Creating Blocks 613

Summary 613

Chapter 21: Working with Drawing Views 615

Creating Common View Types 616

Using the View palette 616

Named 617

Projected view 620

Standard 3 view 621

Detail view 621

Section view 623

xv Contents

Creating Other View Types 627

Crop view 627

Broken-out Section view 628

Break view 632

Auxiliary view 633

Alternate Position view 634

Predefined view 635

Empty view 635

Custom view 635

Relative view 636

3D Drawing View Mode 636

View orientation and alignment 637

Using Display Options in Views 638

Display States 638

Display modes 639

Edge display options 640

View quality settings 641

Distinguishing Views from Sheets 642

Tutorial: Working with View Types, Settings, and Options 642

Summary 649

Chapter 22: Using Annotations and Symbols 651

Using Notes 651

The workflow for placing notes 651

Fonts 652

Text boxes and wrapping 652

Notes and leaders 653

Favorites 656

Linking notes to custom properties 657

Hyperlinking text 657

Notes and symbols 658

Using Blocks 658

Inserting blocks 659

Creating blocks 661

Editing blocks 662

Using Symbols 663

Where can you use symbols? 663

Custom symbols 664

Using Center Marks and Centerlines 664

Tutorial: Using Annotations 666

Summary 668

xvi

Contents

Chapter 23: Dimensioning and Tolerancing 669

Putting Dimensions on Drawings 669

Insert Model Items 670

Using reference dimensions 672

Dimension Options 676

Adding Tolerances 681

Precision 682

Geometric Tolerancing 682

Using Dimension Favorites 682

Tutorial: Working with Dimensions and Tolerances 683

Summary 686

Chapter 24: Working with Tables and Drawings 687

Driving the Bill of Materials 687

SolidWorks table-based BOM 688

Excel-based BOM 695

Using Design Tables 696

Using Hole Tables 698

Using Revision Tables 701

Using Gauge Tables and Bend Tables 703

Using Weldment Cut List Tables 703

Using General Tables 704

Tutorials: Using Tables 704

Using BOMs .704

Using Hole Tables 708

Using Revision Tables 710

Summary 711

Chapter 25: Using Layers, Line Fonts, and Colors 713

Controlling Layers 714

Layers in imported 2D data 714

Layers on the sheet format 715

Dimensions and notes on layers 716

Components on layers 716

Controlling Line Format 717

Using the Line Format settings 718

End Cap Style 718

Line Thickness settings 718

Line Style setting 719

Color Display mode 719

Hiding and Showing Edges 720

Tutorial: Using Drawing Display Tools 720

Summary 723

xvii Contents

Part VI: Using Advanced Techniques 725

Chapter 26: Modeling Multibodies 727

With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility 728

Multibody modeling is not assembly modeling 728

Appropriate multibody uses 729

Understanding Multibody Techniques 730

Complex shapes across bodies 731

Tool bodies and Boolean operations 733

Local operations 737

Patterning 739

Simplifying very complex parts 741

Bridge between solids 743

Undetermined manufacturing methods 744

Creating Multibodies 745

Disjoint sketches 745

Merge Result option 745

Feature Scope 746

Cut feature 748

Split feature 748

Insert Part feature 751

Managing Bodies 752

Body folders 752

Hide or show bodies 754

Deleting bodies 755

Renaming bodies 755

Tutorials: Working with Multibodies 755

Merging and local operations 756

Splitting and patterning bodies 757

Summary 760

Chapter 27: Working with Surfaces 761

Why Do You Need Surfaces? 762

Understanding Surfacing Terminology 762

Knit 762

Trim 763

Untrim 763

Hybrid modeling 764

NURBS 764

Developable surface 765

Ruled surface 766

Gaussian curvature 766

xviii

Contents

What Surface Tools Are Available? 766

Extruded Surface 766

Revolved Surface 767

Swept Surface 767

Lofted Surface 767

Boundary Surface 767

Offset Surface 769

Radiate Surface 770

Knit Surface 771

Planar Surface 772

Extend Surface 773

Trim Surface 774

Fill Surface 774

Mid-surface 776

Replace Face 777

Untrim Surface 778

Parting Surface 779

Ruled Surface 779

Using Surfacing Techniques 780

Up to Surface/Up to Body 781

Cut With Surface 782

Replace Face 783

Fill Surface in action 784

Memory surface 785

Molds 786

Tutorial 788

Using Cut With Surface 788

Using Offset Surface 789

Using Fill Surface blend 792

Summary 796

Chapter 28: Master Model Techniques 797

Using Pull Functions 798

Insert Part 798

Insert Into New Part 801

Using Push Functions 801

Split feature 802

Save Bodies 803

Tutorial: Working with Master Model Techniques 804

Insert Part 804

Insert Into New Part 806

Split 807

Save Bodies 808

Summary 809

xix Contents

Part VII: Working with Specialized Functionality 811

Chapter 29: Using the Base Flange Method for Sheet Metal Parts 813

Understanding the Big Picture 814Using the Base Flange Features 815Base Flange /Tab feature 815Sheet Metal feature 816Flat Pattern feature 822Edge Flange feature 824Miter Flange feature 829Hem feature 831Jog feature 831Sketched Bend feature 833Closed Corner feature 834Corner Trim and Break Corner features 836Forming Tool feature 838Lofted Bends feature 842Unfold and Fold features 843Flatten command 843Tutorial: Using the Base Flange Sheet Metal Method 844Summary 849

Chapter 30: Using the Insert Bends Method for Sheet Metal Parts 851

Architecture of Insert Bends 852Making Sheet Metal from a Generic Model 853Normal Cut 853Rip feature 854Sheet Metal feature 855Flatten Bends feature 855Process Bends feature 856

No Bends 857Flat Pattern 857Working with Imported Geometry 858Making Rolled Conical Parts 858Mixing Methods 860Tutorial: Working with the Insert Bends method for sheet metal parts 860Summary 863

Chapter 31: Using Weldments 865

Sketching in 3D 865Navigating in space 866Sketch relations in 3D sketches 867Planes in space 868Planar path segments 870Dimensions 870

xx

Contents

Using the Weldment Tools 870Weldment 871Structural Member 871Trim/Extend 877End Cap 879Gusset 879Fillet Bead 880Using Non-Structural Components 881Using Sub-Weldments 882Using Cut Lists 882Creating Weldment Drawings 884Tutorial: Working with Weldments 886Summary 893

Chapter 32: Creating and Using Macros 895

Recording Macros 896Recording a rectangle-sketching macro 896Replaying the macro 899Creating a Macro with a User Form 902Building the Form 903Finding Macro Help 906Summary 906

Appendix A: Implementing SolidWorks 909 Appendix B: Tools, Options 931 Appendix C: Finding Help 1007 Appendix D: What’s on the CD-ROM 1015

Index 1017

xxi Contents

Welcome to the SolidWorks 2007 Bible This book has been written as a desk reference for

beginning and intermediate SolidWorks users SolidWorks is such an immense ware program that trying to cover all of its functions is an extremely ambitious under-taking, and I know that a few have been left out Because of the scope of the topic, I have limitedthe book to covering the basic SolidWorks package, without the Office, Office Professional, orOffice Premium add-ins, although I have devoted half of a chapter to Toolbox

soft-You will find enough information here that the book can grow with your SolidWorks needs I havewritten tutorials for most of the chapters with newer users in mind, because for them it is mosthelpful to see how things are done in SolidWorks step by step The longer narrative examples givemore in-depth information about features and functions, as well as the results of various settingsand options

I have included an extensive appendix covering the Tools, Options settings This offers an in-depthexplanation of each option, including both System Options and Document Properties Thisappendix uses special symbols to identity items that are new for SolidWorks 2007 or that affect filesize or speed

Caution icons warn you of potential problems before you make a mistake.

The New Feature icon highlights features and functions that are new to SolidWorks 2007.

Cross-Ref icons point out where you can find additional information about a topic elsewhere in the book.

This icon points you toward related material on the book’s CD.

The SolidWorks 2007 Bible is unique in its use of these two icons:

Best practice icons point out recommended settings or techniques that are safe in most situations.

Performance icons elaborate on how certain settings, features, or techniques affect rebuild speed or file size.

These icons point out and describe techniques and settings that are either recommended or notrecommended for specific reasons Best Practice is usually considered to be very conservative

usage, where the stability of the parametrics and performance (a euphemism for rebuild speed) are

the ultimate goals These two aspects of SolidWorks models are usually weighed against modelingspeed (how long it takes you to create the model)

Best Practice and Performance recommendations need to be taken seriously, but you should treatthem as guidelines rather than as rules When it comes right down to it, the only hard and fast ruleabout SolidWorks is that there are no hard and fast rules In fact, I believe that the only reason tohave rules in the first place is so that you know when you can break them Parametric stability andmodeling speed are not always the ultimate goals, and are often overridden when workaroundtechniques are used simply to accomplish a geometric goal

Because not everyone models with the same goals in mind, a single set of rules can never apply foreveryone You must take the best practice suggestions and apply them to your situation using yourown judgment

My point of view while writing this book has been that of someone who is actually using the ware, not of someone trying to sell ideas, nor of someone trying to make the software look good Itry to approach the software objectively as a tool, recognizing that complex tools are good at somethings and not so good at others Both kinds of information (good and not-so-good) are useful tothe reader Pointing out negatives in this context should not be construed as criticizing theSolidWorks software, but rather as preparing the reader for real-world use of the software Any toolthis complex is going to have imperfections Hopefully some of my enthusiasm for the softwarealso shows through and is to some extent contagious

enough or, as is sometimes the case, has multiple meanings For example, the word shortcut has

multiple meanings in the SolidWorks interface It is used to describe right mouse button menus aswell as hotkeys As a result, I have chosen not to use the word shortcut and instead substitute the

words RMB and hotkey

I frequently use RMB to refer to Right Mouse Button menus, or other data that you access by

click-ing the right mouse button on an item The word tree refers to the list of features in the

FeatureManager Also, command and option names are referred to using all initial capitals, evenwhen SolidWorks does not use the same capitalization For example, the setting Single CommandPer Pick is listed in Tools ➪ Options as Single command per pick

Differences are frequently found between the names of features on toolbars and the names in themenus or PropertyManager titles In these cases, the differences are usually minor, and either namemay be used

Most functions in SolidWorks can work with either the object-action or the action-object scenarios

These are also called pre-select and select, respectively For example, the Hole Wizard is one tool for

which pre-selection is definitely recommended because a difference in functionality is seenbetween pre-selection and selection The Fillet feature shows no difference between using pre-selection and selection Most features allow pre-selection, and some functions, such as inserting adesign table, require pre-selection Although you cannot identify a single rule that covers all situa-

tions, most functions accept both.

Frequently in this book, I have suggested enhancement requests that the reader may want to make.This is because SolidWorks development is driven to a large extent by customer requests, and if alarge number of users converge on a few issues, then those issues are more likely to be fixed orchanged Again, the enhancement request suggestions are not made to criticize the software, but tomake it better I hope that several of you will join me in submitting enhancement requests.SolidWorks is an extremely powerful modeling tool, very likely with the best combination ofpower and accessibility on the MCAD market today This book is meant to help you take advantage

of its power in your work and even hobbyist applications If I could impart only a single thought

to all readers of this book, it would be that with a little curiosity and some imagination, you canbegin to access the power of SolidWorks for geometry creation and virtual product prototyping.You should start with the assumption that there is a way to do what you are imagining, and thatyou should be open to using different techniques

For AutoCAD users making the transition to SolidWorks, you should simply forget everything youknow about AutoCAD, because most of it, except for the most general geometric concepts, will notapply to SolidWorks, and will often simply confuse you

Whoever you are, I hope that you find insight deeper than simply “what does this button do?” inthis book I hope that you will find an intuition for thinking like the software Jeff Ray of theSolidWorks Corporation has said that the goal is to make the software as “intuitive as a lightswitch.” While most people will agree that they have some work left to achieve that particular goal,

I believe that approaching the interface intuitively, rather than attempting to remember it all byrote, is the best method Good luck to you all

xxv Preface

The ideas that go into a book of this size do not all originate with a single individual.

Research for many of the topics was done at user group meetings, the newsgroupcomp.cad.solidworks, SolidWorks Corporation’s discussion forums, and SolidWorksCustomer Portal, as well as the Web sites of many individuals I would like to thank all of the indi-viduals who have posted to the public forums or created personal Web sites Many of these peoplehave knowingly or unknowingly contributed to my SolidWorks education, as well as that of manyother SolidWorks users around the world

I would especially like to thank Richard Doyle, the technical editor for this book, for keeping me

on the straight and narrow when possible This would not have been possible without MartyMinner and Courtney Allen, Wiley editors who with great patience have provided guidance andadvice as necessary Thanks also to those who have encouraged me along the way, including KimHardy, Chris Cole, Stan Kujawski, and the guys from Spark Engineering

xxvii

SolidWorks Basics

IN THIS PART

Chapter 1 Getting Familiar with SolidWorks Chapter 2

Navigating the SolidWorks Interface

Chapter 3 Getting Started with SolidWorks Chapter 4

Working with Sketches Chapter 5

Creating Simple Parts, Assemblies, and Drawings

Let’s face it; people develop brand loyalty to CAD software programs It

sounds silly, but you know it’s true If you are coming to SolidWorksfrom another CAD program, you are probably feeling a level of uneasethat is proportional to the amount of time you spent using the other program

You will get past that, and everything will be fine, I promise As you will see,

SolidWorks does everything as well as, or better than, your old software, and

you will never crave your old software after you drink this Kool-Aid

The biggest hurdle that many users face in learning a new CAD program is

letting go of the old one In some cases, the old software helps you to

under-stand the new one, but in others, the thinking is just too different, and you

may need to forget everything you thought you knew about CAD

Switching to SolidWorks can involve a little of both For example, if you are

coming from Inventor, Solid Edge, or another program in that class, you will

find SolidWorks to be very familiar territory, with a similar if not identical

design philosophy SolidWorks also shares a lot of underlying structure with

Pro/ENGINEER, and if you are coming from that product, there will be some

relearning, but much of your training will be transferable

If you are coming from 2D AutoCAD, SolidWorks may at first cause a bit of

cul-ture shock for you However, after you accept the concept that getting the model

correct is dependent on the process, things will go more easily As you will see,

SolidWorks, and in fact most solid modeling in general, is very process-based

SolidWorks is also a very Windows-based software, and so if you are familiar

with Windows conventions, then you already know a lot about the SolidWorks

interface and shortcuts The regular and context-sensitive menus, toolbars, and

keyboard shortcuts, as well as many other interface elements, all work the same

as they do in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint OS X and Linux users should not hold

3

IN THIS CHAPTER

Understanding feature-based modeling

Understanding history-based modeling

Sketching with parametrics

Understanding Design Intent Editing Design Intent

Working with associativity

Getting Familiar with

SolidWorks

their breath for SolidWorks to be ported to those operating systems, although there have been party developments that allow Windows software to run on other operating systems and hardware.

third-In any case, regardless of how you arrived here with this SolidWorks Bible in your hand, here youare Together we will progress from basic concepts to advanced techniques, everyday settings, andsubtle nuances This book will serve as your friend, tutor, and desk reference for learning aboutSolidWorks software

Understanding Feature-Based Modeling

There is some terminology that you need to come to grips with before we dive into building els with SolidWorks Notice that I talk about “modeling” rather than “drawing.” This is becauseSolidWorks is really virtual prototyping software Whether you are building an assembly line forautomotive parts or designing decorative perfume bottles, SolidWorks can help you visualize yourproduct in the most realistic way possible without actually having it in your hand This is moreakin to making a physical model in the shop than drawing on paper

mod-“Feature-based” modeling means that you build the model by incrementally identifying functionalshapes, and applying processes to create the shapes For example, you can create a simple box byusing the Extrude process, and you can create a sphere by using the Revolve process However, youcan make a cylinder by using either process, by revolving a rectangle or extruding a circle Youstart by visualizing the 3D shape, and then apply a process to a 2D sketch to create that shape.This concept on its own is half of what you need to know to create models with SolidWorks.Figure 1.1 shows images of simple feature types with the 2D sketches from which they were created.Many different feature types in SolidWorks enable you to create everything from the simplestgeometry shown above to free-form shapes In general, when I talk about modeling, I am talking

about solid modeling, although SolidWorks also has a complete complement of surfacing tools I

will discuss the distinction between solid and surface modeling in a later chapter

Table 1.1 lists some of the most common features that are found in SolidWorks, and classifies themaccording to whether they always require a sketch, a sketch is optional, or they never require a sketch

TABLE 1.1

Feature Types

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SolidWorks Basics

Part I

FIGURE 1.1

Simple extruded and revolved features

While the bulk of this book focuses on the use of solid features, I believe that no set of modelingtools is complete without surface-modeling functions Hybrid features combine the use of solidsand surfaces in some way, and are discussed in more detail in Chapter 27 The surfacing andhybrid features available in SolidWorks are:

n Untrim surface

n Cut with surface

n Thicken surface

n Cut Thicken surface

In addition to these features, there are many other types that create reference geometry (such ascurves, planes, and axes), or perform some operation on existing geometry

Understanding History-Based Modeling

In addition to being feature-based, SolidWorks is also history-based To indicate process history,

there is a panel to the left side of the SolidWorks window called the FeatureManager design tree The

FeatureManager keeps a list of the features in the order in which you have added them It alsoenables you to reorder items in the tree (in effect, to change history) As a result, the order inwhich you perform operations is important For example, consider Figure 1.2 This model was cre-ated by the following process:

1. Create a sketch

2. Extrude the sketch

3. Create a second sketch

4. Extrude the second sketch

5. Create a third sketch

6. Extrude Cut the third sketch

7. Apply fillets

8. Shell the model

If the order of operations used in the above part were slightly reordered, the resulting part wouldalso look slightly different, as shown in Figure 1.3

Figure 1.4 shows a comparison of the FeatureManager design trees for the two different featureorders You can reorder features by dragging them up or down the tree Relationships between fea-tures can prevent reordering; for example, the fillets are dependent on the second extruded feature,and cannot be reordered before it This is referred to as a Parent/Child relationship

Reordering and Parent/Child relationships are discussed in more detail in Chapter 11.

CROSS-REF

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SolidWorks Basics

Part I

FIGURE 1.4

Compare the FeatureManager design trees for the parts from Figure 1.2 and Figure 1.3

The part used for this example is available in the material from the CD-ROM, named Chapter 1 – Features.SLDPRT.

The order of operations, or history, is important to the final state of the part For example, if you

change the order so that the shell comes before the extruded cut, the geometry of the modelchanges, creating a sleeve inside instead of just a hole on top You can try this for yourself by open-ing the part indicated above, dragging the Shell1 feature in the FeatureManager, and dropping itjust above the Cut-Extrude1 feature

In some cases, reordering the features in the FeatureManager may result in geometry that might notmake any sense; for example, if the fillets are applied after the shell, they might break through to theinside of the part In these cases, SolidWorks gives an error that helps you to fix the problem

In 2D CAD programs where you are just drawing lines, the order in which you draw the lines doesnot matter, because the results are the same This is one of the fundamental differences betweenhistory-based modeling and non-history-based drawing

Features are really just like steps in building a part; the steps can either add material or remove it.However, when you make a part on a mill or lathe, you are only removing material The

FeatureManager is like an instruction sheet to build the part When you reorder and revise history,you change the final result

Sketching with Parametrics

You have already seen that sketching is the foundation that underlies the most common featuretypes We will now find that sketching in parametric software is vastly different from drawing lines

in 2D CAD

Dictionary.com defines the word parameter as “one of a set of measurable factors that define a

system and determine its behavior and [that] are varied in an experiment.” What this means to us

as SolidWorks users in a practical sense is that we can create sketches that change according to tain rules, and maintain relationships through those changes This is the basis of parametric design

cer-It extends beyond sketching to curve elements, surface features, and solid features

SolidWorks makes 2D and 3D sketching possible Of the two methods, 2D sketches are by far themore widely used You create 2D sketches on a selected plane, planar solid or surface face, and usethem to establish shapes for features such as Extrude, Revolve, and others Relations in 2Dsketches are often created between sketch entities and other entities that may or may not be in thesketch plane In situations where other entities are not in the sketch plane, the out-of-plane entity

is projected into the sketch plane in a direction that is normal to the sketch plane This does nothappen for 3D sketches

You use 3D sketches for the Hole Wizard, piping, wiring, and weldments, among other tions such as complex shape creation

applica-Both 2D and 3D sketches share some relation types, although some of these relations work ently in the two types of sketches Some relations that are unique to each type of sketch The avail-able sketch relations are:

differ-n Along X, Along Y, Along Z: 3D sketch only Along X means that the Y and Z coordinates

do not change — only the X coordinates This is similar for the other relations

n Intersection: 2D and 3D sketches This relation is created by the Intersection Curve

sketch tool You cannot apply it manually

n Coincident: 2D and 3D sketches In a 2D sketch, a point can be coincident with an

entity that is not on the sketch plane because SolidWorks considers the external entity to

be projected into the sketch plane In a 3D sketch, the coincident relation is explicitrather than projected

n Concentric: 2D and 3D sketches Available between arcs, circles, and ellipses, as well as

items that project into a 2D sketch plane as arcs, circles, or ellipses

n Coradial: 2D and 3D sketches This applies to arcs or circles that have the same center

and radius

n Collinear: 2D and 3D sketches Only available between a linear sketch entity and

another linear sketch, edge, or curve entity

n Equal: 2D and 3D sketches This is used to make lines of equal length or arcs and circles

of equal radius

9 Getting Familiar with SolidWorks 1

n Equal Curvature: 2D and 3D sketches This relation only applies to splines, although

you can apply it between a spline and other sketch entities, edges, or curves This is lar to Tangent, except that in addition to being tangent, the spline also matches the curva-ture of the other item at the end of the spline The curvature value cannot be set explicitlyfor any sketch entity except in the form of an arc or circle radius Curvature = 1/radius

simi-n Fix: 2D and 3D sketches This clamps a sketch entity wherever it is when you apply the

relation It is not considered best practice to make extensive use of the Fix relation When

it is used, it is a frequent cause of overdefined sketches and troubleshooting difficulties

n Horizontal: 2D and 3D sketches Horizontal and vertical relations are relative to the local

sketch origin, not the global part origin When used in a 2D sketch, Horizontal is cated by the short leg of the red sketch origin When used in a 3D sketch, Horizontal can

indi-be applied only when sketching on a plane within the 3D sketch, and it has no relation togeometry outside the plane

n Midpoint: 2D and 3D sketches An endpoint, sketch point, or centerpoint may be placed

at the midpoint of a line or arc In 3D sketches, only a line can receive a midpoint relation

n On Edge: 2D and 3D sketches This relation is created by the Convert Entities sketch

tool You cannot apply it manually

n Parallel: 2D and 3D sketches This may be used between sketch lines and linear edges, as

well as curves or other sketch lines When applied in a 2D sketch between a sketch lineand an out-of-plane entity, the out-of-plane entity must project into the sketch plane as astraight line, and the parallel will apply to the projection

n Pierce: 2D sketch only A sketch point, centerpoint, or endpoint can be pierced by an

edge, curve, or sketch that is external to the sketch and out-of-plane The point where theout-of-plane curve goes through the sketch plane is the pierce point The out-of-planeentity is not projected into the sketch plane It is the only 2D sketch relation that doesnot use projected out-of-plane entities If the curve entity does not cross the sketch plane,the relation fails If the curve crosses the sketch plane at more than one location, thepierce point becomes the closest crossing to the selected sketch point

n Symmetric: 2D sketch only Symmetric relations are created by mirroring items around a

sketch centerline, and you can also apply them manually to pre-existing sketch entities,

by using a centerline for reference

n Tangent: 2D and 3D sketches.

n Vertical: 2D and 3D sketches Horizontal and vertical relations are relative to the local

sketch origin, not the global part origin When used in a 2D sketch, Vertical is indicated

by the long leg of the red sketch origin For planes in 3D sketches, horizontal and verticalrelate only to the local plane, not to the 3D sketch origin As a result, if a line is con-strained to a plane in a 3D sketch, the plane is still allowed to rotate unless there is sketchgeometry constrained to geometry outside of the sketch

n On Surface: 3D sketch only Planar sketch entities such as lines and arcs in a 3D sketch

can be given the On Surface relation to planes or planar faces Sketch points can be given

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SolidWorks Basics

Part I