Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside July 8th, 2015

A Crash Course in SolidWorks: Part 1

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An Introduction

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•  Computers, 3D modeling, and graphics software:

•  Make it increasingly effective to use engineering graphics in design,

visualization, and optimization

•  SolidWorks:

•  Currently one of the most common tools for 3D modeling and graphics

•  Capable of rapid prototyping of new technology without it ever leaving a

computer screen

•  Can be used for engineering analysis (i.e. similar to COMSOL, ANYSYS,

or FEMAP)

•  Files can be tied to 3D Printing

An Introduction Cont.

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•  Bioengineering has use for 3D Modeling as Well:

An Introduction Cont.

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•  Breakdown of the course:

•  Will cover the basic fundamentals of SolidWorks:

•  Sketching

•  Smart dimension, fully defining a sketch, relations

•  Lines and centerlines, rectangles, circles and arcs, ellipses and slots, trimming, mirroring,

linear and circular patterns

•  Solid Modeling

•  Extruded boss/base, extruded cuts, revolves, sweeps, fillets and chamfers, lofts,

reference geometries

•  Assemblies, and mates

•  Drawings

•  Introduction to FEA

What Does SolidWorks Do?

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•  Feature-based, parametrically driven design automation software

•  Used to create simple and complex parts, assemblies, and drawings

How is SolidWorks Structured?

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•  The design format behind SolidWorks centers around the creation of a feature:

•  They are the distinctive geometric shapes that form the part:

•  Protrusion

•  Rectangular hole

PART B

Create solid models for each of the following six parts in SolidWorks (create six separate part files).

x Note that each model can be created with one extruded boss (base feature) and one extruded cut.

x Be sure your profile sketches are completely defined and dimensioned correctly.

x Add your name and part description to each part (Insert oAnnotations o Note…) as shown in the example below.

x Save each part in your ME9 folder with a file name ME9 Lab 2 Part B-X, Lastname where X is the corresponding part number.

x Save a jpeg of an isometric view as shown in the example below. Name the file ME9 Lab 2 Part B-X, Lastname and save it in your ME9 folder.

Example:

ME009 Engineering Graphics and Design CAD 2

Rev 4/15 Sheet 13 of 14

•  The base feature is the first feature that

is created

•  Types of features:

•  Sketched features

•  Applied features (i.e. fillets or

chamfers)

How is SolidWorks Structured?

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•  To properly define your feature, parameters are applied

•  A parameter is the attribute of a feature that can be modified

•  Dimensions and relationships drive the geometry of a feature

•  Relations establish geometric relationships (equal, tangent, coincident, etc.)

between entities (or constituents of a feature)

•  A parameter in SolidWorks may be changed and the model and all associated

assemblies and drawings will be updated to reflect the modification

•  Design Intent: How models should behave when changed

Design Intent

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•  Solid models hold design information beyond the actual lines and circles required

for the construction of the object

•  Design features are created for a purpose

•  Design intent is the intellectual arrangements of features and dimensions of a

design

•  Design intent governs that relationship between features in a part and parts in

assemblies

Sketching – The First Step

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•  SolidWorks Operates in a Very Linear Fashion •  Normally, the primary step when designing a part is to sketch the 2D representation of a base feature, and to specify

on what plane that base feature will be sketched:

•  For example: a cube’s 2D representation for its base feature would be a square, a plane – a line, a cylinder – a circle

•  Several different functionalities exist in the “sketch” page, and can be used in combination to design the base feature of your part, as well as the subsequent features to complete your part:

•  Linear and center lines

•  Rectangles (corner, and center)

•  Slots

•  Circles

•  Arcs (tangent, center point)

•  Polygons

•  Splines

•  Ellipses

•  After sketching, we use a tool known as “smart dimension” to establish the necessary geometric properties associated with our sketch (i.e. angles, lengths, diameters, etc.)

•  We also apply relations (non-geometric sketch details) to fully define our sketch:

•  This essentially means that all of the sections of a sketch have no ambiguity when they’re created (i.e. all of them have a dimension, and have relations to other portions of the sketch)

Example, and Understanding a Drawing

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4/21/2015

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Building Solid Models with SolidWorks

y Creating a Base Feature{ Extruded Boss{ Revolved Boss

y Adding Features{ Boss Feature{ Cut Feature{ Fillets and Rounds

y Modifying Featuresy Mirroring{ Mirroring Sketch Entities{ Mirroring Features

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Example 1

•  Drawing:

•  SolidWorks drawings illustrate all the necessary dimensions for a part such

that it can be built. •  Understanding how to read and

create a drawing is a required skill

when using SolidWorks

•  We will cover drawings in more

detail later. For now, let’s simply go

over how to read the one on the right

Example 2

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4/21/2015

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Example 2

y Solid models hold design information beyond the actual lines and circles required for the construction of the object.

y Design features are created for a purpose.

y Design intent is the intellectual arrangements of features and dimensions of a design.

y Design intent governs that relationship between features in a part and parts in assemblies.

Design Intent

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