Solid Works

Introduction to SolidWorks (Process)

Objective: Create a pressure plate following the first tutorial learning key techniques like boss extrude, extrude cut, and circular patterns about the axis.

This lesson includes:
- Creating base, boss, and cut features from sketches
- Adding fillets to smooth edges
- Creating a circular pattern
- Adding drawing views
- Adding centerlines, center marks, and dimensions to the drawing

Introduction to SolidWorks (Product)

Challenge - Create a personally designed part that demonstrates your ability to use the skills learned in the tutorial.

Uses same base of a circular disc and base extrude to make it 3 Dimensional, extruded cut in the middle of the disc
Second base extruded part for the hexagons to go about
Shows 5 separate hexagon parts extruding out from the original disc but cutting all the way through allowing you to see in one side and out the other
Center axis symmetry feature used to make the objects equally distanced and spaced about the origin or center point of the part

Lesson 1: Parts

Objective: Construct a Lego block with a hollowed out inside using shell feature

Lesson 1 product with shell base and Lego like appearance as well as example of extruded cut in the middle. Spinning to show all dimensions and parts.

Lesson 1 product of finished boss extruded to add 3D appearance, filleted edges, with extruded circle in the middle that cuts through all, as well as the protruded circle on top.

Lesson 1 product showing the section view of the front plane of the object helping to show the inside of the object demonstrating the dimensions and structure of the part

Lesson 2: Assemblies

Objective: Create a base to attach the previous block from lesson 1 to form one conjoined block as well as showing your understanding of the color/appearence feature.

Base block with fillet feature to create smooth edges as well as shell feature to hollow out the inside and a Bose extrude to make it 3 dimensional

Assembly feature of both Lego block parts with features like shell, bose extrude, extrude cut, and fillet to create two shapes that can go together

Uses same features as previous image but creates lip on the edge of the part to fit two blocks together

Gif demonstrating the two blocks going together from the assembly format and using mate reference to line up the parts with each other so they match

Lesson 3: Drawings

Drawing demonstrating dimensions of the Lego block piece with text label for company name tech center

Lesson 4: 7 Piece Puzzle Challenge

Challenge - Create a model of a cube using 7 different 3D shapes assembled together displaying your skills of extrude base, extrude cut, reference geometry, mate, and assembly.

Part 1

This part consists of a base cube with three cubes extruding from the three sides (shown) making a corner like piece. Below is images showing the steps of the construction process.

Part 2

The second part is an L shaped block made of two rectangular prisms put together. Below are images showing the steps of the construction process.

Part 3

Part three is another corner like piece with two extruded cubes to create the 3D shape. Below are images showing the steps of the construction process.

Part 4

This block has one long base rectangular prism with a smaller cube extruded from the middle to make a smushed T. Below are images showing the steps of the construction process.

Part 5

This part is a step like block with a rectangular prism on top of the base facing towards the right. Below are images showing the steps of the construction process.

Part 6

Part 6 is a step like block with a rectangular prism on top of the base facing towards the left. Below are images showing the steps of the construction process.

Part 7

The last block is a zig zag or lightning bolt looking cube that has two main cubes aligned parallel to each other. Below are images showing the steps of the construction process.

Final construction of the cube using the mates in an assembly to connect them together and line up forming an almost perfect cube.

Lesson 5: Fillets

Objective: Learn how to use special fillet features and symmetry as well as sketch relations and draft angles on extruded feature to help create a door knob.

GIF of finished fillet tutorial

Creating original shape with the outline for half of the final product making sure measurements, angles, and faces are all the correct size and on the same plane

Used fillet feature to contour edges and create curves throughout the object to add finishing touches

Used mirror feature to reflect the original base over center axis to replicate object on both sides forming a symmetrical shape

Final product for tutorial on fillets.

Lesson 5: Product

Challenge - Create another object slightly different to the first fillet object using similar steps and features to the first product.

GIF of finished fillet product

Creating the base of the first side of the fillet product using similar steps and commands to produce a similar item from above

Now using the line and extrude feature to create an outcrop on the original base

Finalizing fillets and minor details before reflecting about the center plane and creating the base of the final product

Adding keyhole feature using extrude cut and toolbox preset item to complete the product

Lesson 6: Revolves and Sweeps

Objective: Create a candle stick design using revolve and sweep features from toolbar as well as expanding practice on extruded cut by using the draft version.

GIF of completed tutorial for revolve and sweeps

Creating and dimensioning the original sketch of the object on a singular plane in order to revolve it in the future

Using the revolve feature to create a symmetrical object about the center axis using the sketch from above

Creating the sweep feature using coincident function as well as arcs, axis of symmetry, and dimensioning

Completed candle stick holder seen below with finished sweep feature in shadow view mode as well as the hole in the top of the object

Lesson 6: Product

Challenge: Create another object slightly different to the first fillet object using similar steps and features to the first product.

Sketch object to and outline to create revolve and sweeps

Used the revolve feature to create base of object

Used cut extrude feature to cut out the top of the object and create a indent in the top part and finish product

Lesson 7: Pattern Features

Objective: Create a linear pattern and a circular pattern, a linear patter being a one or two dimensional array of features and a circular patern being a circular array of features.

GIF of pattern features final part from tutorial

Creating original sketch to revolve around center axis using steps learned in last tutorial

Revolved around center axis with sketch shown on part being made to become pattern around part

Hidden shadows and shade view of the object with fillet process complete around the center of the object also showing final sketch of pattern part

Display of linear pattern along the side of the part using the linear pattern feature in the tool bar

Circular array pattern with revolution about the center axis of the created part only three allowed in original attempt

Final completed tutorial product with all 4 linear patterns revolving around the object in the circular pattern

Lesson 7: Product

Challenge: Use the linear patterns and circular patterns features practiced above to create a similar product to the one desgined in the tutorial.

GIF of final product

Original sketch of the base of the part on top plane

Created rest of the outline sketches and different planes using reference geometry that the product will be connected to

Used lofted boss/base to create 3 dimensional object connecting the sketches

Shelled inside of the object out to create hallow inside and stated sketch of hole to be cut out on the side

Used extrude cut feature to cut out first hole in the part to be mirror using the pattern feature

Linear pattern to create repeating sketch and cut out 3 more holes in the side face of the part using center axis of symmetry

Isometric view of linear pattern cut out holes

Revolved circular pattern about the center axis with 90 degrees between each repeated linear pattern

Finished product

Lesson 8: Lofts

Objective: Create a part using planes and profiles as well as displaying your knowledge of loft and flex features taught throughout the tutorial.

GIF of final part from tutorial for lofts

Creating planess and shapes to outline the base of the lofted object

Used lofted boss base feature to connect sketches over multiple planes

Sketching plane and sketch for end part of hammer to attach to

Using the lofted base feature to create solid object connection between two sketches aligning points in order to prevent twisting

Completed base object with planes shown to display connections between different sketches

Final Product of lofts head using loft features of the axis's and planes

Lesson 8: Product

Challenge - Use the lofted boss/base feature as well as the loft feature learned in the lesson above to create a similar part as a product for the tutorial.

GIF of completed product for lofts feature

First sketch of product with the sketches on different planes as well as extrude base of the object

Used the lofts feature to create a contouring edge that goes in a little then curves back out

Sketch of end part for the hammer head to connect to

Used the lofts feature here as well to connect the last sketch of the head piece to the end of the hammer at the furthest sketch

Plane view showing how the part was created and connected together between each of the planes

Used the flex feature to set up the axis and triad setup for the trim 1 and 2 so I could bend the end of the part

Final part of the lofts product completed

Lesson 9: Mouse Gestures

Objective: Practice using and learning about the mouse gestures feature by performing simple commands using the shortcut to sketch and design a part.

GIF of final product

Original product made using mouse gesture feature and setup in solidworks with the 8 chosen functions

Final product made with mouse gesturees feature starting with base cube

Extrude feature used to portray extruded cube on base block

Copy mouse gesture feature around block repeating last step

Extruded blocks all around the cube with cylinders on top and bottom also extruded

Filleted edges and finishing touches to complete mouse gestures block

I am not a big fan of the mouse gestures feature I feel that it is a little unnecessary since most of the command are available in the dropdown menu above that you rarely have to flip back and forth from. The number of options is limited preventing it being a major help and if you want to change the options it is just more time taken away. Also the feature for me was a little difficult to get into because of the feature being touchy in the hover area but that could have to do more with the computer then the feature. The feature can be used in positions where you have to repeat steps or objects like above which is helpful. I added the mirror feature to my panel that way I could just mirror the objects over the center plane and faces to go faster which I found as the easiest option. Overall I was not very impressed by this tool and I think that a system similar to the typing command in AutoCad would be more beneficial.

Lesson 10: 3D Sketches

Objective: Learn and Practice how to use 3D sketches in solid works as a guideline for sweep or loft features to follow along as a center line while working with the 3D (x, y, z plane) and 2D (front, right, top plane).

GIF of final part from completed tutorial

Begin a sketch of a line for the 3D part to follow along using the 3D sketch feature along the x, y, and z axis

Approximate dimensions to make sure part is symmetrical

Fillet all corners with radius of 5 millimeters to follow along curved path

Create circular sketch with radius of 5 to become swept boss/base feature following along designated path

Create original back rack using boss extrude feature connecting both sides of the rack

Create linear pattern lengthwise along the rack with 22 mm spacing for 6 items

Final product after mirror of first linear pattern about the side face of the original sketch.

Lesson 10: Product

Challenge: Use the 3D sketching feature to create at least 2 of your initials in solid works as well as the swept boss base feature.

GIF of final completed product for the 3D sketch lesson

First sketch of the C with the filleted edges before using the swept boss feature

adjusting the plane to allow for sketch of circle that was used for the swept boss feature

Second letter of the J being made along the xyz plane again before using the swept boss feature

Final image of the 3D sketched initials along the xyz axis

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