blocksToPartsToAssebmly-SOLIDWORKS

8/8/2019 blocksToPartsToAssebmly-SOLIDWORKS

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SolidWorks Blocks

Objective:

1) Blocks Definition

2) Demonstrate Block techniques

3) Review Tips

4) Additional Resources


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SolidWorks Blocks

DEFINITION of a block is a 2D single or group of text,sketch entities, balloons, or imported entities saved as asingle unit.

Blocks can be created, inserted by instance, exploded,edited, and so on; most annotations and symbolsavailable in libraries; legacy AutoCAD blocks, includingtile blocks, can be imported and used in SolidWorks.

SolidWorks File Extension = .SLDBLK AutoCad file extension for blocks = .dwg


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SolidWorks Blocks

Finding Blocks Commands

Toolbar Menu Right Click


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SolidWorks Blocks

Where are Blocks Stored

Blocks are saved within the file you areworking in

AssemblyPart Drawing


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SolidWorks Blocks

Where are Blocks Stored

Blocks can be saved to a design libraryforfuture use/

Drag and Drop, or Block, Save


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SolidWorks Blocks

Blocks can be used in:

Sketches Example = geometry usedrepeatedly to create parts or features.

Assemblies Example = simplifiedmechanisms and test their motion beforedeveloping more complex 3D models.

Drawings Example = title block itemslogos, parts lists, notes used repeatedly,Notes with attributes, and drawingschematics.


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SolidWorks Blocks

Attributes in text blocksTip: Create Blocks in a drawing if you want to add

a note that is going to contain a text attribute

(cannot add text notes w/attributes to parts orassembly sketches).

In a Drawing> create a Note in a sketchblock.

Save block.

Edit block & Add attributename.


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SolidWorks Blocks

Why add attributes to Blocks?

Saves you from having to edit the block toedit the text.


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SolidWorks Blocks

Imported AutoCad Blocks - Editing attributes

Go to Properties managerText/Dimension Display


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SolidWorks Blocks

Creating Blocks in parts

1. Start sketch.2. Create geometry (add dimension and relations as desired).3. Tools>Blocks>Make or right click>Make block.4. Select entities.5. Move manipulator to future insertion point (optional otherwise it defaults

to the lower left corner of the block, but you may wish to select the pointyourself).

Tip: To save a future insertion point - Click the arrow on the insertion point tabto make the manipulator to show up, then drag and drop on a point youwant to be your insertion point.

6. See figure 1 (next slide).7. Select OK.8. Block is created under sketch in feature manager.Tip: Click on block name, then F2 to change the name or one slow click on the

block name in the feature manager and rename.


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SolidWorks BlocksFigure 1 - Geometry in part sketch

MANIPULATOR

SELECTED

ENTITIES


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SolidWorks Blocks

Creating Blocks in parts1. Part can be rotated or add more relations to fix block.

2. Blocks can be also be saved to a design library for future use.3. Drag and Drop or Block>Save.


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SolidWorks Blocks

Assembly Create Layout A linkage exampleTip: Start with Assembly: If you want to convert

your sketch blocks to parts.

1. Use the Create Layout button.2. Construct short link.3. Construct separate long link in same layout.4. Add horizontal line for rail.5. Add relations, LH end of short link to origin, LHend of long link to RH end of short link.6. Mate RH end of long link to horizontal rail.


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SolidWorks Blocks


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SolidWorks Blocks

Assembly Create Layout A linkage example

1. Right click and select Make Block or useTools, Blocks, Make Block.

2. Select entities to include in block.3. Repeat for each block you want to

create.


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SolidWorks BlocksAssembly Create Layout A linkage example


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SolidWorks Blocks

Tips while creating blocks

Tip: Explode copied blocks if you want to change a part of it to bedifferent from the copied version, then save the new entities fromexploded block and you have two similar but different blocks quickly.

Tip: Click on block name, then F2 to change the name or one slowclick on the block name in the feature manager and rename.

Tip: Ctrl + Left mouse button and drag a block to create copies ofthe same block.

Tip: Save blocks for use in future drawings and storage of special/common blocks that you can use over and over Drag & Drop, orBlock/Save


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SolidWorks Blocks

Make Block into part

Right click on block.

Select Make Part.


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SolidWorks Blocks

Make Block into part

Extrude using typical techniques.

Tip: Use Layout button to Navigate in and out ofLayout mode and Editing sketches.


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SolidWorks Blocks

Belt/Chain Tip: Must create Blocks of circles to represent

sprockets or pulley geometry in order to get Traction

mate to appear.

1. Create 2 or more circles.2. Select belt/chain from toolbar or Tools, sketch

entities, belt/chain.3. Pick the two circles. Note this could be

multiple pulleys as well.


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SolidWorks Blocks

Belt/Chain

4. Check Drivingif you want to select a length ofthe belt.5. Uncheck Drivingand add a dimension between

the pulleys to set centers.

6. Exit the sketch and the Belt length will updateand be shown in feature manager.


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SolidWorks Blocks

Belt/Chain


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SolidWorks Blocks

Traction Tip: Create Blocks of circles to represent gears or pulley

geometry in order to get Traction mate to appear.

Same as belt/chain, except you select the gearsyou want to add a traction mate to.

Select the traction Mate. Brings gears together. Rotate one and see the other rotate.


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SolidWorks Blocks

Tips review

Tip: Create Blocks in a drawing if you want to add a note that isgoing to contain an attribute (you cannot add text notes withattributes to parts or assembly sketches).

Tip: You can rename your block names (one slow click on the blockname in the feature manager and rename) (or select the feature inthe tree and click F2).

Tip: To save a future insertion point - Click the arrow on the insertionpoint tab to make the manipulator to show up, then drag and drop

on a point you want to be your insertion point.

Tip: Ctrl + Left mouse button and drag a block to create copies ofthe same block in.


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SolidWorks Blocks

Tips review

Tip: Save blocks for use in future drawings and storage of special/common blocks that you can use over and over.

Tip: Use Layout button to Navigate in and out of Layout mode andEditing sketches. Tip: Start with Assembly: If you want to convert your sketch blocks

to parts.

Tip: Must create blocks of circles to represent sprockets or pulleygeometry before belt/chain will function.

Tip: Convert pulleys/gears/circles to get Traction mate to appear.


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SolidWorks Blocks

Additional Resources www.YouTube.com - Search for

SolidWorks Blocks

SolidWorks Help and Tutorials


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SolidWorks Blocks

Questions?

Documents

blocksToPartsToAssebmly-SOLIDWORKS