SOLIDWORKS Advanced Level Training : Learn By Doing

Using combine feature, we can add bodies, subtract one body from other and can keep common region of multibody part.

Feature Scope also applies to additional feature types such as cuts.

The Feature Scope becomes available in the Property Manager whenever the part has multiple bodies and an eligible feature is used.

We can save a body as part and when we make changes on parent part the child part can also be effected.

If you have ever had a modeling situation where you needed to shell out a portion of a part but not the entire part, or you had a fillet that would work only if certain geometry were not there, then you may have been able to benefit from multibody techniques to accomplish these tasks.

This case study is summary of multibody training section, in which we will make a table by converting a simple block using multibody different techniques.

We will discuss different path options to sweep a profile.

1. Profile and path both aligned

2. Profile and path not aligned

3. Edge as path

4. Multi loop profile

5. Taking edges as Closed path

Create the path and guide curves first; then create the section. A Pierce relation is not required for sweeps with guide curves.

The Swept Cut tool can be used for removing material by sweeping/extruding a section/profile, along a path. The procedure of using this tool is same as that of Swept Boss/Base tool, as discussed previously. The only difference is that this tool cab be used only after creating a solid model

Outcomes of this lecture are to learn.

Sweep surface with twist profile option

Making simple seep with circular profile

How to wrap a profile over a solid body?

There are four conditions to make a sweep cut with solid profile.

1. The solid profile should be a revolved feature made of line and arcs or a cylindrical feature.

2. And the path must be tangent continuous

3. Path should begin at a point on or within the tool body profile.

4. Note that the solid profile should not be merged with another solid model.

This tool is used to create a solid model by connecting two or more sketches created on different plane.

There two methods available to make a project curve.

1. Sketch on surface

2. Sketch on sketch

1. This tool is used to create feature by adding material in two directions.

2. This tool is mostly used in creating complex or curved bodies.

3. You need to create two profiles between which you can add material.

4. You can specify sketch curves, faces, edges, or other sketch entities to control the shape of a boundary feature.

Outcomes of this case study are to learn.

Loft Feature

Sweep

Making curve through reference points

Convert entities

Outcomes of this case study are to learn.

Loft with guide curves

Making multiple  reference planes in single command

Using sweep feature

Exploring Boss extrude end conditions

Vary Sketch allows the sketch of the patterned feature to maintain its parametric relations in each instance of the pattern. It is analogous to Geometry Pattern. Where Geometry Pattern disables the parametric end condition for a feature, Vary Sketch enables the parametric sketch relations for a pattern.

To activate the Vary Sketch option, the Linear Pattern must use a linear dimension for its Pattern Direction. The dimension must measure in the direction of the pattern, and adding the spacing for the pattern to the direction dimension must result in a valid feature

Three type of holes will be discussed.

1. Making through hole using standard metric drill tool.

2. Making hole to suit screw M10x1.5

3. Making hole to suit helicoil insert M10x1.5

The Point deform option enables you to push a point on the model, and the model deforms as if it were rubber. The key to using this feature is to ensure that the Deform Region option is unselected.

Indent uses the same ingredients as the Surface Push, but it produces a result that is more useful. For example, if you are building a plastic housing around a small electric motor, the Indent feature shapes the housing and creates a gap between the housing and the motor.

Instances To Vary is different from Instances To Skip and Vary Sketch. It allows you to make various edits to the pattern. This is extremely powerful stuff for patterning.

Modified Instances controls any further modifications you want to make to an individual instance.

1. It drives a pattern along a curve.

2. The curve could be a line, an arc, or a spline.

3. It can be an edge, a loop, a 2D or 3D sketch, or even a real curve feature.

A global variable (supersedes pre-2012 link value) is just a name assigned to a dimension, a reference measurement, or an entire equation. Linked values are still extremely powerful tools. The fastest way to link multiple dimensions in bulk is by using a global variable.

You can use externally saved equations to share equations between models. To export an equation, click the Export button on the right side of the Equations dialog box. To link the current model to the externally saved equation, make sure the Link To External File option is checked at the bottom left of the Equation Export dialog box.

You can use the IF statement described earlier in this chapter to control suppression states of features and components.

An example of the syntax is = if(expression, value if true, value if false)

There are four fillet types.

-Constant size

-Variable size

-Face fillet

-Full round fillet

And two parameters options

-Symmetric

-Asymmetric