Solid Bodies and Disjointed bodies

Generally speaking when modelling in Solid Works

each Part file will contain single solid object.
As you are modelling, each feature is merged or
joined to the previous feature, resulting in a single
solid body.

When creating a new feature it joins or merges with

existing geometry.

(This is due to the fact that the option ‘Merge result’

is checked by default).

It is however possible to create separate or

disjointed bodies within a single part file. This can be
achieved by simply deselecting ‘Merge result’ or by
creating a feature which does not connect to existing
geometry, which forces the de-selection of the
‘Merge result’ option.

When a part contains more than one solid body a

new category appears in the Feature manager called
‘Solid Bodies’. This lists the number of separate solid
bodies contained in the model.

Another category called ‘Surface Bodies’ appears

when surfaces are created.

Where features do overlap it is still possible to

choose not to merge these objects by manually
deselecting the Merge result box.

This results in overlapping but separate solid bodies.

This is evidenced by the continued presence of the
full outline of both shapes.
It will also be noticed that there is no line or edge
where the cylindrical surface meets the block.

These shapes (solid bodies) can now interact with each other, or be combined
together, in a variety of ways to produce a number of possible solutions. These are
referred to as Boolean operations.

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Boolean operations
Where solid bodies overlap but are not merged it is
possible to combine them in a variety of ways.

The concept resembles that of a mathematical topic

called Venn diagrams or Set Theory, in which
overlapping regions could be combined in a variety
of ways.
These include
• Union (add)
• Subtraction (subtract)
• Intersection (common)

Add enables the creation of a new body by joining or ‘unioning’ two separate bodies.

Subtract enables the creation of a new body by subtracting the portion where the
second feature overlaps the primary feature or main body.

Common (intersect) enables a new body to be created from the overlapping portion.

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Moving / Re-Sizing Solid Bodies
Individual solid bodies can be moved / resized
independently within the part environment.

Dynamic editing is made possible using the option.

With dynamic editing activated; on selecting the solid
body shown, a number of arrows or ‘handles’ appear.
Selecting the red or dark green arrows allow the object to
be dragged in the X or Y directions.
Selecting the light green or radial arrow allows the
diameter to be adjusted.
Finally selecting the blue dot at the top of the top of the
height dimension allows the height to be adjusted.

Selecting any of these handles causes an interactive

ruler to appear.
This method of adjustment is only suitable for concept
development or movements where accuracy is not
important.

More precise movement is available using:-

Insert Features Move/Copy…

In the dialog box which appears select the

option.

On selecting the object, 3 coloured arrow and 3 coloured

rings appear.

The object may now be moved (or translated) in X, Y or Z

directions by selecting and dragging the red, green or blue
arrow.

Alternately it may be rotated about the X, Y or Z axis by

selecting and dragging one of the red, green or blue rings.

The solid body can also be moved

(translated or rotated) by a precise
amount, by entering values in the
appropriate edit boxes in the Property
Manager pane.

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Tutorial: Basic Mould
In the following exercise we will create a cavity within a block for moulding a plastic
cup.
Rather than using dedicated mould creation tools, this exercise will use native
SolidWorks commands to achieve the desired effect.

First of all create a part in solid works called ‘Basic-Mould.sldprt’.

Modelling the component.

Start by creating an inverted cup shaped component on

the top plane.
Specify a diameter of 50mm, a height of 60mm and a
taper angle of 5 degrees.

Next hollow out the component from below specifying a

wall thickness of 3mm using the Shell command.

At this point save the part as ‘Product.sldprt’ using the Save as copy option. This
allows the part to be saved with another name without affecting the name of the
existing model.

Next create a parallel plane 100mm below the existing

top plane and then create a sketch on the plane with a
rectangle 80mm x 80mm centred on the product
model.

Then extruding in two directions, extrude upward by

90mm and downwards by 30mm.

You model should now look as shown opposite.

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Using the move/copy
command move this
block up around the cup.

On selecting the move

copy command select the
Translate rotate option.

Move upwards by
100mm.

Trial and error may be

need to find the correct
direction.

N.B. It is not technically necessary, to model the mould block below the part model
and to move it into place. However it does trigger the Merge result to turn off
automatically and also demonstrates the Move/Copy solid bodies tool.

Creating the cavity

Now use a ‘Boolean subtract’ command to create the

cavity within the mould.
This is achieved by selecting the Combine option
followed by the Subtract option.

Finally use a clipping plane to reveal and check the

resulting cavity within the block.

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Separating the core and cavity into separate solid
bodies.

We will now split the existing solid body into separate

solid bodies.
To do this select the top plane followed by:
Insert Features Split

To split the body select ‘Cut Part’.

Unfortunately this creates 3 rather than 2 solid bodies.

This will be rectified later.

The three solid bodies created when you select the ‘Cut
Part’ button, appear in the Resulting Bodies box as
shown opposite.

To keep these bodies select the check- box beside

each and then select OK (green arrow)

Rejoining core and corebase

Unfortunately, as can be seen, rather than

cutting the model into two separate bodies, it
cut it into three, by truncating the core from its
base.

To re-join the core and base, choose the

combine command. Then using
the Add option and select bodies A and B.

This joins or unions these two bodies and

removes all evidence of a cut between them.

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Modifying the part

“A modification of the component is required which

necessitates the use of a sliding core”.

Open the Product part saved earlier and make the

following modification.

Working on the Front plane create the sketch shown

opposite, then create a cutout in one direction through
the side of the component.

Finally round the corners using a 1.5mm radius.

The end result should look as shown opposite.

Resave the part.

Preparation for Side Core

The part will now be re-inserted into the mouldbase to

guide the modification. To do this:-
Select insert Part and choose the
‘Product.sldprt’.

From the various options which appear select Solid

Bodies followed by accept . This will cause the
component to be inserted at the origin.

You should now see the component sandwiched

between the core and cavity, with the rectangular hole.
Next we will model a side core needed to mould this
part.

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Cutting recess for side core

Switching to wireframe, select the face of the cavity

block at the side corresponding to the side of the hole
feature in the component.

Create a rectangle 20 x 18 centred on the origin and

with it bottom edge coincident with the top plane or
split line.

Finally cut a hole through the side of the cavity block

using the Up to Next option.

This will cause Solid Works to cut until it encounters

the next surface or interface. i.e. the inside surface of
the cavity block.

This will cause it to cut the cavity block while having no

affect on either the component or core block.

We will now create another ‘Solid Body’ feature to

represent the side.

This will be done by creating a sketch on the same

plane and converting the edges of the existing opening.
The resulting sketch will then be extruded but not
merged resulting in a separate solid body feature.

It is not possible to extrude up to multiple

solid bodies at the same time. Therefore we
will extrude up to the core and then subtract
the part model, to leave the desired
impression on the side core.

The resulting sliding core should look as

shown opposite.