Feature-Based Modeling and

Optional Advanced Modeling

ENGR 1182

SolidWorks 05

Today’s Objectives Feature-Based Modeling (comprised of 2 sections as shown below)

1. Breaking it down into features Creating Construction Centerlines

Construction Centerlines to Create Holes

Constraining Circular Patterned Holes

2. Edge Features(3D Fillets & Chamfers) and Model Tree

SW05 Activity

SW05 Application

Optional Advanced Modeling –Methods to Save Time ( Planes, Axes, Mirroring & Patterning, Holes, Shells, Sweep, & Loft) with HYPERLINK navigation

Feature-Based Modeling

• Break down into Features

• Series of Steps

• 1st Step: Base Feature

• Adding / Subtracting Material

• Edge Features

• Model Tree

Breaking it Down into Features

ENGR 1182

SolidWorks 05

Breaking it Down into

Features • Objects can be

thought of in terms of features

• Shapes

• Holes

• Rounds

• Etc.

• Determines design strategy

Feature Modeling

Example

Series of Steps

• Base Feature • First Extrusion or

Revolve

• Reduce Steps of

Construction

• Features • Additions or

subtractions from

original base feature

How many different ways

could we make this?

Example Construction 1

We can think of the block in

terms of 2 “L” shapes and

then cut out the hole

Example Construction 2

We can think of the block in

terms of a “C” shape and then

add the plank with a hole

Example Construction 3

Finally, we could draw the

overall shape from the top view

and remove unwanted material

An Important Concept

Most sketches can be greatly simplified by establishing horizontal and vertical "Centerlines" and then applying constraints employing those construction centerlines. When the object exhibits symmetry, those construction centerlines are often drawn though the origin. Many sketches will be much easier to constrain if one uses horizontal and vertical construction centerlines. Typically used constraints include dimensioning, symmetry and equal.

So even if you don’t initially recognize a need for vertical and horizontal construction centerlines, it is a very good practice to include them in your sketches!

Using Construction Center Lines

to Position Multiple Holes In the sketch mode insert a horizontal

construction line of infinite length and 2

angled infinite length construction lines

through the origin using the “As

sketched” option. DIMENSION the

angle to be 45O.

Sketch a circle on each of

the the angled construction

lines setting all the circles

EQUAL.

Locate and Size all of the EQUAL

circles which requires 5 dimensions.

Exit sketch and perform an

Extruded Cut using the

“Through All” direction on the

FULLY DEFINED sketch.

Note that any additional circles require

corresponding angled construction lines

and located and sized circles.

A Short Cut Method to Produce

Multiple Holes Any NUMBER In the sketch mode insert a

horizontal construction line of

infinite length and an angled

line as shown. DIMENSION the

angle to be 45 degrees.

Sketch a single circle on the

angled construction line,

locate and size the circle

Offset the pattern

center by x=y= 0.1

Select Display/Delete

Relations/Add Relations, click on

the Offset pattern center and the

part center, select Coincident and

then OK .

As illustrated earlier, exit the

now FULLY DEFINED

SKETCH and perform an

Extruded Cut using the

“Through All” direction.

Select Linear Sketch

Pattern/Circular Sketch

Pattern

Select the drawn circle and

set the pattern number to 4

Breaking it Down

Wrap Up Breaking it down

Base Feature • Start with an extrusion (or

revolve) that contains the basic shape of the object

• Minimize steps by choosing an appropriate shape for the base step (what shape can be used to build off of)

• Do not try to take into account every detail, add later with additional features

Series of Logical Steps

Application SW05:

Problem 6.4 (ss) from the text.

In-Class Activity

The object to the right can be

created many different ways.

Can you determine at least 2

different methods (starting on

different planes) and create the

same object?

Edge Features and Model Tree

ENGR 1182

SolidWorks 05

Edge Features

3D Fillets create rounded edges 3D Chamfers create slanted edges

2D Fillets vs. 3D Fillets

• 2D Fillets are

only to be

used in

Sketches

• 3D Fillets are

used on edges

of the part

(3D Fillets are

extremely powerful in

making realistic

designs)

SolidWorks Example:

Piston Head

How would you break this down into features?

Where would you start? Where would you use

the edge tools? At what point in the process?

SolidWorks: Base Feature

There are a couple ways to effectively

model this piston head but for these

slides we will start with a simple

extrusion of a circle to create a cylinder

SolidWorks: Extruded Cut

The volume will be

removed using an

extruded cut offset from

the bottom surface

SolidWorks: Revolved Cut

The piston rings will be cut

out using a revolved cut

SolidWorks: Review Design

Is there any other way that we

could have reached this point

and how many steps would it

have involved?

Would it be easier?

SolidWorks: Extruded Cut

The pin hole and groove will be

removed using an extruded cut

SolidWorks: Chamfer

The top slanted edge will be

added using a chamfer

SolidWorks: Fillet

And finally the bottom edge of the

head will be smoothed out using a

Fillet (under the features menu)

SolidWorks: Finished Part

This finished product

can now be used in an

assembly with other

components shown here

SolidWorks: Design Tree

The design tree on the left of the

screen catalogs all the steps of

creating this part and records the

steps from top to bottom

Sketches are absorbed into

features but can be accessed

by clicking the plus sign next

to each feature

SolidWorks: Part Editing

The design tree can be “rolled

back” by clicking and dragging the

blue bar at the bottom up and the

features are no longer shown

New features can be added to

this model in the middle of the

design tree while other items

are still “rolled back”

SolidWorks: Altered

Final Part

These changes will also

carry over to the assembly

that contains the part

When the design tree is restored then all

the features return as long as changes do

not interfere with previous features

Feature Based Modeling

Wrap Up

Application SW05:

Problem 6.4 (nn)

R3

Recognize Features of Object

Start with Base Feature

Carefully consider the use of

construction centerlines in most

sketches

Add or Remove Material in a series of

steps

Features to add last:

• 3D Fillets: Rounded edges

• 3D Chamfers: Slanted edges

Editing Features with Model Tree

TOP

VIEW

Create the following shape

according to the features and

dimensions.

• First break this object down

into features (you should be

able to create this in 2

sketches)

• Then use 3D Fillets for the

4 rounded edges

Problem 6.4 (u)

Activity (SW05)

Important Takeaways Feature-based modeling is used

to break down the features of a

part to create the part in an

efficient way.

Edge features, like chamfers and

fillets, are used to create

different edge designs efficiently.

R3

What’s Next?

Due Next Class SW05 Application

Before next class, you will read

about assembly modeling.

Assemblies are collections of 3D

parts that are constrained to form

one engineering system.

Take SolidWorks 6 Quiz on readings

Optional – Advanced Modeling

• Methods to Save Time

• Methods to Create Shapes

• Convert Entities

• Reference Geometry – Planes & Axes

• Mirroring

• Patterning – Linear & Circular

• Hole Wizard

• Shells

• Sweeps

• Lofts

• Advance Modeling Wrap Up

In the SLIDE SHOW MODE this page supports HYPERLINK

navigation

Optional Advanced Modeling Techniques

ENGR 1182

SolidWorks 05

Convert Entities

Desired

Object

Starting

Object

WITHOUT

Convert

Entities

WITH

Convert

Entities

(1) Draw Perimeter Circle,

(2) Dimensioned Center Circle

and (3) Carefully Create Closed

Sections for Cut (must precisely

connect circle midpoints with

corners as shown above)

Starting

Object (1) Draw Perimeter Circle,

(2) Dimensioned Center

Circle

(4) Must Trim Perimeter

Circle

(3) Click on Convert Entities

to automatically generate

shown RED Lines – No

Trimming of Perimeter

Circle required!

(5) Select Areas

to Extrude Cut

and accept Cut

(4) Select Areas

to Extrude Cut

and accept Cut

(adds all lines to the sketch plane and makes

them available for future operations with is very

useful when more than one feature appears

within a sketch)

Reference Geometry: Planes

SolidWorks starts off with

the 3 original planes:

front, right, top

To add a new plane we

can reference previous

planes and create offset

new planes or other

options

RETURN TO START

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Reference Geometry: Axes

Axes can also be

created without the

creation of a 2D

sketch

RETURN TO START

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Mirror

First the Mirror

Plane must be

chosen

Mirroring creates

an reverse copy of

features on the

opposite side of a

mirroring plane

Mirror

Once the plane has been

chosen then the features to

mirror are selected

The new features are

joined to the original model

RETURN TO START

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Linear Patterns

Features can also be

duplicated in linear patterns

in either one or two

directions.

Once edges are selected for direction,

number of instances and distance are

specified in the dialog box

RETURN TO START

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Circular Patterns

Once features and

axes are chosen the

angle and number of

instances are

specified

Features can also be

duplicated in circular

patterns around an axis

Also see slide 12 - Using Construction Center Lines to Position Multiple Holes RETURN TO START

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Holes

• Mating Parts

• Hole

Specifications

• Built-in Hole Tools

• Location and Size

Selected

Holes using the Hole Wizard 1) Under Feature select Hole Wizard 2) Specify the type of Hole 3) Specify Hole Position 4) Add threads

1 2 3 4

RETURN TO START

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Shells

• Removes Volume

• Thin Wall Created

RETURN TO START

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Sweep

Pathways can be

combined with a 2D

profile, such as a

circle, to create what

is known as a sweep

Mirror

complex

features to

save time

RETURN TO START

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Loft

Lofting is taking two

profiles on separated

planes and filling the

space between with

material that blends

the original profiles

The same shape but different sizes

can be used

Loft

Different shapes can be blended into one solid such as the

hexagon is connected to the circles of different sizes

Circular patterns,

fillets, and

appearances can

also be added

RETURN TO START

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Advanced Concepts Wrap Up Time Saving Methods

Reference Geometry

• Planes/Axes/Points

Mirroring

Linear Patterns

• One or two directions

Circular Patterns

Advanced Shapes

Sweep

Loft

OPTIONAL:

SolidWorks tutorials

Lofts

Pattern Features

Revolves and Sweeps

Found under the Building Models tab

of the SolidWorks tutorials

RETURN TO START

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