Part creation is the design of a 3D model of a single object using various SolidWorks features and commands.
1.1 Basic concepts and sketching
- Plane Setting: Select$X-Y$, $Y-Z$, or$Z-X$(Front, Top, Right Plane) Suitable for starting.
- Creating 2D Sketches: Use basic drawing tools (Line, Circle, Rectangle) and Smart Dimension , as well as geometric relations ( Coincident , Tangent, Parallel) to create fully defined sketches .
- Using advanced tools: Sketch Pattern, Offset Entities, Convert Entities
1.2 Creating 3D Features
- Base Feature:
- Extrude Boss/Base: Stretches a 2D figure into 3D (most common forming method).
- Revolve Boss/Base: Rotate the 2D body around an axis to create a symmetrical shape around the axis.
- Additional features (Added/Modified Features):
- Extrude Cut / Revolve Cut: Cutting material by stretching or rotating it.
- Fillet / Chamfer: A process of removing sharp edges or corners for safety and aesthetic purposes.
- Hole Wizard: Quickly create standard drill holes (e.g. threaded holes, counterbore holes).
- Shell: Creating a hollow model with constant thickness
- Pattern (Linear/Circular): Repetition of a feature or shape along a straight line or circle.
1.3 Property and material management
- Material Determination: Select a material (e.g. Steel, Aluminum) to obtain the correct physical property values (mass, center of gravity).
- Mass Check: Use the Mass Properties tool to check the weight and other properties of a part.
2. Creating an assembly (SolidWorks Assembly)
Assembly is the process of placing created 3D parts (Parts) in the correct positions and defining the relationships (Mates) between them.
2.1 Importing and placing parts
- Insert Components: Insert a Part file into the Assembly file.
- First Part: The first imported part should be fixed (usually the base or main frame).
- Move/Rotate: Use the Move Component / Rotate Component tools to perform basic positioning.
Mates are the heart of the assembly, limiting the movement between parts.
Standard Mates
Mechanical Mates:
2.3 Management of assembly structure
3. Inspection and documentation
- Coincident: Makes planes, surfaces, or points lie on the same plane or converge
- Concentric: Makes the axes of a circle or cylinder concentric (for assembling shafts, holes).
- Parallel / Perpendicular: Specifies that surfaces or planes are parallel or perpendicular to each other.
- Distance / Angle: Set the exact distance or angle.
- Limit Mate: Set the maximum and minimum movement range.
- Symmetric Mate: Makes the part symmetrical to the plane.
Mechanical Mates:
- Gear / Rack and Pinion: Simulate the operation of gears.
- Cam-Follower: Simulates movement along the Cam surface.
2.3 Management of assembly structure
- Sub-Assemblies: Grouping of sub-assemblies that work together (e.g., gear sets, wheels) to make the main assembly easier to manage.
- Configuration: Creating multiple configurations of an assembly or part (e.g. different sizes, presence/absence of certain parts) in a single file.
- Exploded View: Displays the separated parts for clarity in assembly or display in drawings.
3. Inspection and documentation
- Interference Detection: Check if any parts overlap or collide.
- Drawings: Creating 2D drawings of parts or assemblies for manufacturing, with standard views, sectional views, bills of materials (BOMs ), and balloons (part numbers).
Software:
- SolidWorks
Job Type:
- 3D CAD, Product Design, Mechanical Engineering, Modeling
Main Topics:
- SolidWorks Parts, SolidWorks Assembly, Part Creation, Assembly Creation
Subtopic:
- 3D Modeling, Sketching, Geometric Relations, Mates, Exploded View, Drawings
Level:
- Detailed, Technical, Intermediate-Advanced
Verbs:
- Create, Assemble, Design
#SolidWorks #SolidWorksAssembly #SolidWorksParts #3DDesign #Mates #CAD3D #MechanicalEngineering #Modeling #SolidWorksTeaching
Here's the first image, showcasing the detailed creation of individual SolidWorks Parts.
Now for the second image, illustrating the process of assembling multiple parts into a complete SolidWorks Assembly.
For the third image, let's highlight the use of advanced features like "Mates" to define relationships between components in an assembly.
And finally, the fourth image, showing an exploded view of an assembly, which is crucial for understanding how parts fit together and for creating technical drawings.
