BDA 30903 - SOLID MODELING

SEMESTER 2 SESSION 2020/2021

• Hj Abdul Khalil Bin Abdul Rahim (S1 & S2)

• Hj Mohd Azwir Bin Azlan (S3)

• Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Sia Chee Kiong (S4) – (C)

• Mr Mohd Nizam Katimon (S5)

• Dr. Helmy B. Mustafa El Bakri (S6, S7 & S8)

F A KU LTI KEJ U R U TER A A N M EKA NIKA L D A N P EM B U A TA N

U NIVERSITI TU N H U SSEIN O NN M ALAYSIA
FACULTY : FACULTY OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING (FKMP)
SEMESTER : 2
SESION : 2020 / 2021
COURSE : BDA 30903 - SOLID MODELING

TIME SCHEDULE

DAY / SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

TIME ITEMS LOCATION ITEMS LOCATION ITEMS LOCATION ITEMS LOCATION ITEMS LOCATION ITEMS LOCATION

8.00 - 8.50

9.00 - 9.50 BDA 30903 BDA 30903 BDA 30903 BDA 30903
[S7] [S5] CAE 1 [S1] CAE 1 [S3] CAE 1
(Dr. Helmi) [max - 30] (Mr. Nizam) [max - 30] (Hj. Khalil) [max - 30] (Hj. Azwir) [max - 30]
10.00 - 10.50 ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
[S8] [S6] CAE 2 [S2] CAE 2 [S4] CAE 2
11.00 - 11.50 (Dr. Helmi) [max - 30] (Dr. Helmi) [max - 30] (Hj. Khalil) [max - 30] (Dr. Sia) [max - 30]

12.00 - 12.50

1.00 - 2.00

2.00 - 2.50

3.00 - 3.50

4.00 - 4.50

5.00 - 5.50

6.00 - 6.50
7.00 - 8.00
8.00 - 8.50

9.00 - 10.00

10.00 - 11.00
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FACULTY OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

LECTURE PLAN
1. Name of Course: SOLID MODELING
Course Code: (BDA 30903)
2. Synopsis: This course will provide students with skill and competency to produce
3D modeling by using SolidWorks software. Students will be exposed to
develop 3D models through different kind of techniques, assembling
different parts, make simulation from the assembled parts in order to
verify and validate the mechanism and finally produce the technical
drawing. Furthermore, students also will be exposed to project drawing
where it will give advantages to them before work in the industrial.
3. Name(s) of Academic Staff:  Hj. Abd Khalil bin Abd Rahim - S1 & S2
 Hj. Mohd Azwir bin Azlan - S3
 Assoc. Prof Ir. Dr. Sia Chee Kiong - S4 (Coordinator)
 Mr Mohd Nizam bin Katimon - S5
 Dr. Helmy bin Mustafa El Bakri - S6, S7 & S8

4. Semester and Session Offered: Semester 2 Session 2020/2021

5. Credit Value: Lecture (hour/week) 1
3 Tutorial (hour/week) 0
Practical (hour/week) 4
6. Pre-requisite (if any): BDA 10703 - Technical Drawing and CAD
7. Course Learning Outcomes (CLO): At the end of the course, students will be able to:
Example: Explain the basic principles of risk management (C2, PLO1)
CLO 1 Engineering Knowledge - Produce technical drawing with the legal standards of the Engineering
Drawing practice. (C3-LO1)
CLO 2 Modern Tool Usage - Create 3D model by using SolidWorks software. (C3-LO2)
CLO 3 Design/Development of Solution - Produce appropriate 3D simulation models based on application
requirement in order to predict system performance. (C3-L10)
CLO 4 Modern Tool Usage - Produce drawing project with proper scale and dimensioning. (C3-LO2)
8. Mapping of Course Learning Outcomes (CLO) to Programme Learning Outcomes (PLO), Delivery
and Assessment Methods:
Course Learning Programme Learning Outcomes (PLO) Delivery Assessment KPI
Outcomes (CLO) PLO1 PLO2 PLO10 Method Method

CLO 1  Lecture, In Class PA 5, 100%

Test 2. students
pass
CLO 2  Lecture, In Class PA 1, 100%
Lab work, PA 2, PA 3, students
PO-PBL Test 1. pass

CLO 3 Lecture, Assignment, 100%

 Lab work, In Class PA 4, students
PO-PBL Project pass
(Animation)
CLO 4 Lecture, Project – 100%
 (Report) students
Lab work,
PO-PBL pass

Indicate the relevancy between CLO and PLO by ticking “ / ” at the appropriate relevant box.
9. Transferable Skills (if applicable): 1
(Soft skills learned in the course which 2
can be utilized in student development)

Edisi : 5 / No. Semakan : 1

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FACULTY OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

10. Distribution of Student Learning Time (SLT):

Week Course Content Outline CLO Teaching and Learning Activities SLT
Guided Learning Guided Independent
(F2F) Learning Learning
L T P O (NF2F), eg. e- (NF2F)
learning
W1 1.0 Introduction to Modeling 0.5 0.5 1
and SolidWorks Software
21st ~ 1.1 SolidWorks introduction
th
27 Mac 1.2 Design intent.
2021 1.3 Open file and save file.
1.4 Parts, Assemblies &
Drawings.
1.5 Software interface.
1.6 View control,
orientation and display
mode.
1.7 Mouse button.
1.8 Mouse gesture.
1.9 Keyboard shortcut.

2.0 Sketching 2 2
2.1 Why need sketches? 2 2 6
2.2 Planes
2.3 Sketch entities and
geometry.
2.4 Sketch status.
2.5 Sketch relations and
dimension.
2.6 Sketch editing. (trim,
move, fillet, chamfer,
offset)
2.7 Write texts in a
sketch.

W2 Exercise - Sketching
th
28 Mac In class Practical Assessment 1 2 2 3 5
~ 03rd (4%)
Apr 2021

W3 3.0 Basic Modelling Technique

3.1 3D modeling
04th ~ terminologies.
th
10 Apr 3.2 Sketch profile and
2021 plane selection.
3.3 Extrude boss/base/cut.
From (sketch plane,
surface/face/plane,
Vertex, Offset)
(Direction of
extrusion, End
condition) 2 2.5 2.5 5 10
3.4 Revolve boss/base/cut.
Revolve types (blind,
up to vertex, up to
surface, offset from
surface, mid plane).
Direction 1, Direction
2,( angle), Thin
features, Select Contour

Edisi : 5 / No. Semakan : 1

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FACULTY OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

3.5 Sweep boss/base/cut.

Profile and Path,
Orientation/Twist type,
Path alignment path,
start/ End Tangency
3.6 Loft boss/base/cut.
Profile, Start/End
Constrains, Guide
Curve, Centre line
parameter

Exercise – 1, 2 & 3 (page 92 - 94)

W4 3.7 Fillet & Chamfer. 2 2.5 2.5 5 10

Fillet Type, Tangent
11th ~ Propagation,
17th Apr FilletXpert
2021 Chamfer Parameter,
Angle and Distance,
Distance - Distance,
Vertex
3.8 Rib, Shell & Draft.
Rib - thickness side,
Rib Draft on/off,
Type (linear/ Natural),
Extrusions directions.
Shell – Face to
remove,
Outward/inward, Multi-
thickness setting
Draft - type, Draft
angle, Neutral Plane,
Face to draft
3.9 Hole wizard.
Hole types, Hole
standard, Hole
specification, End
Conditions
3.10 Pattern
Linear, circular and
mirror pattern.
3.11 Create “Reference
Geometry”. Plane,
Axis, Point, Coordinate
system
3.12 Insert Material
3.13 Evaluations (Mass,
Centre of Gravity)

Exercise – 4 & 5 (page 96 & 97)

W5 3.14 Helix/Spiral. 2 1.5 3.5 5 10

th
3.15 Editing and repairing
18 ~ problem.
24th Apr 3.16 Configuration.
2021 3.17 Text Emboss / Engrave
3.18 Decal
3.19 Picture Rendering

Exercise – 7 (page 100-101) &

Photoview 360

Edisi : 5 / No. Semakan : 1

 Lampiran A

FACULTY OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

W6  Group distribution, 5 5
25th Apr Brief of Group project
~ 01st  Brief of assignment
May
2021 In class Practical
Assessment 2 (4%)

W7 4.0 Assembly Parts 2 1.5 3.5 10 15

02nd ~ 4.1 Insert component.
08th May 4.2 Move & rotate
2021 component.
4.3 Component mating
4.4 Interference detection
Exercise - Mate types &
Flywheel

W9 4.5 Apply toolbox 2 2 3 5

components.
16th ~
22nd May Exercise (Gearbox Assembly)
2021
In class Practical
Assessment 3 (4%)

W10 4.6 Explode component. 2 1 4 3 8

4.7 Explode line sketch
23rd ~
29th May
Exercise - Flashlight
2021

W11 4.8 Animation & Simulation 3 0.5 1.5 3 10 15

th
30 May Exercise - Physical Dynamics
~ 05th
June In class Practical
2021 Assessment 4 (4%)

W12 5.0 Detail Drawing 4 1 4 5 10

th
5. 1 Sheet format and
06 ~ templates.
12th June 5. 2 Drawing views.
2021 5. 3 Dimensions.
5. 4 Bill of material (BOM).
5. 5 Center mark and center
line.
5. 6 Annotation.

W13 6.0 Project Drawing 4 1 4 2.5 7.5

6. 1 Documentation filing
13th ~ and control.
19th June 6. 2 Relation of assembly,
2021 explode with BOM and
detail drawing.
6. 3 Product tree diagram.
6. 4 Numbering a drawing.

In class Practical
Assessment 5 (4%)

W14 PROJECT DISCUSSIONS 5 5

20th ~ PROGRESS PRESENTATION
26th June
2021

Edisi : 5 / No. Semakan : 1

 Lampiran A

FACULTY OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

W15 PRESENTATION OF 5 5
th
PROJECT
27 June
~ 03rd SUBMISSION OF PROJECT
July REPORT
2021
Total 117.5

Continuous Assessment CLO Percentage F2F NF2F SLT

(%)
1 Practical Assessment 1 2 4
2 Practical Assessment 2 2 4
3 Practical Assessment 3 2 4
4 Practical Assessment 4 3 4
5 Practical Assessment 5 1 4
6 Assignment - Start after finish 3 10
Chapter 3 in Week 6. Submit
end of Week 11
7 TEST 1 --- (1.0 hours) 2 20 1 1.0
(04/05/2021 - Tuesday -
W7 ; 8:30 – 9:30 PM)
8 TEST 2 --- (1.5 hours) 1 20 1 1.0
(23/06/2021 - Tuesday -
W14 ; 8:30 – 9:30 PM)
9 GROUP PROJECT (Report/ 4 20 0.5 0.5
Drawing)
10 GROUP PROJECT 3 10
(Animation)
Total 2.5

Final Assessment CLO Percentage F2F NF2F SLT

(%)
1 N/A
Total N/A

GRAND TOTAL SLT 120

where, L = Lecture, T = Tutorial, P = Practical/Laboratory, O = Others, F2F = Face to Face, NF2F = Non
Face to Face.

11. Special Requirement to deliver Solidworks software

the course:

12. References (including required 1. SolidWorks Essentials - SolidWorks 2014 Training Manual,
and further readings): Massachusetts, USA.
2. Advanced Part Modeling - SolidWorks 2014 Training Manual,
Massachusetts, USA.
3. Advanced Assembly Modeling - SolidWorks 2014 Training Manual,
Massachusetts, USA.
4. SolidWorks Drawing - SolidWorks 2014 Training Manual,
Massachusetts, USA.
5. Lecturer notes BDA 30903 Solid Modelling.
Edisi : 5 / No. Semakan : 1
 Lampiran A

FACULTY OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING

13. Other Additional Information:

14. Attendance and Regulations: 1. Students must attend not less than 80% of contact hours for
each course including Compulsory Attendance Course (Hadir
Wajib - HW) and Attendance Only Course (Hadir Sahaja - HS).
2. Students who do not fulfil item (1) of the above are not allowed
to attend further lectures and are not allowed to sit for any
further assessment. Zero marks (0) will be given to student who
fails to comply with item (1). As for Compulsory Attendance
Course (Hadir Wajib - HW), student who fails to comply with
item (1) will be given Failure Attendance (Hadir Gagal - HG).
3. Students must observe University dress code and must
conduct themselves in appropriate manner to avoid any
disciplinary action.
4. Students must follow safety regulations during learning and
teaching.
15. Prepared by: Verified by:

Name: ASSOC. PROF DR SIA CHEE KIONG Name: Dr. KAMARUL AZHAR BIN KAMARUDIN

Position: Lecturer Position: Head of Department

Date: 14 Mac 2021 Date: 14 Mac 2021

Edisi : 5 / No. Semakan : 1

 Lampiran A

MATRIK HASIL PEMBELAJARAN KURSUS DAN HASIL PEMBELAJARAN PROGRAM

MATRIX OF COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES AND PROGRAMME LEARNING OUTCOMES

Fakulti (Faculty)
Program (Programme)
Kod Kursus (Course Code)
Nama Kursus (Course Title)
: FACULTY OF MECHANICAL AND MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING Matrik ini perlu digunakan bersama:
(This matrix is to be used together with)
: BACHELOR OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING WITH HONOURS 1. Objektif Pendidikan Program (PEO)
(Programme Educational Objectives (PEO))
: BDA 30903 2. Hasil Pembelajaran Program (PLO)
(Programme Learning Outcomes (PLO))
: SOLID MODELLING

Pemetaan kepada PLO (Mapping to PLO) Kaedah

Kaedah
Bil. Hasil Pembelajaran Kursus Pentaksiran

PLO10

PLO11

PLO12

PLO13
PLO1

PLO2

PLO3

PLO4

PLO5

PLO6

PLO7

PLO8

PLO9
Penyampaian KPI*
(No.) (Course Learning Outcomes) (Method of
(Method of Delivery)
Assessment)
1 Produce technical drawing with the legal standards Lecture, In Class PA 5, 100% students
of the Engineering Drawing practice. (C3-LO1) C3
Test 2. pass
2 Create 3D model by using SolidWorks software. Lecture, Lab work In Class PA 1, 100% students
(C3-LO2)
PBL In Class PA 2, pass
C3
In Class PA 3,
Test 1.
3 Produce appropriate 3D simulation models based on Lecture, Lab work Assignment, 100% students
application requirement in order to predict system
PO-PBL In Class PA 4, pass
performance. (C3-L10) C3
Project
(Animation)
4 Produce drawing project with proper scale and Lecture, Lab work Project 100% students
dimensioning. (C3-LO2) C3
PO-PBL (Report/Drawing) pass
*KPI – Petunjuk prestasi utama (Key performance indicator)
Jumlah (Total) 1 2 1

Taksonomi Pembelajaran (Learning Taxonomy)

Kognitif (Cognitive) Psikomotor (Psychomotor) Afektif (Affective)
C1 Pengetahuan (Knowledge) P1 Persepsi (Perception) A1 Menerima (Receiving)
C2 Pemahaman (Comprehension) P2 Set (Set) A2 Memberikan Maklum Balas (Responding)
C3 Aplikasi (Application) P3 Respons Berpandu (Guided Response) A3 Menilai (Valuing)
C4 Analisis (Analysis) P4 Mekanisme (Mechanism) A4 Mengorganisasi (Organising)
C5 Sintesis (Synthesis) P5 Respons Ketara Kompleks (Complex Overt Response) A5 Menghayati Nilai (Internalising)
C6 Penilaian (Evaluation) P6 Adaptasi (Adaptation)
P7 Lakuan Tulen (Origination)

RPP-04 / Prosedur Pelaksanaan Kuliah

Edisi: / No. Semakan:
 Lesson 1
Introduction to SolidWorks
software
Upon successful completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
 Describe the key characteristics of a feature-based, parametric solid modeler.
 Distinguish between sketched and applied features.
 Identify the principal components of the SolidWorks user interface.
 Explain how different dimensioning methodologies convey diferent design
intents.
What is SolidWorks?

 SolidWorks is design automation software.

 In SolidWorks, you sketch ideas and experiment

with different designs to create 3D models.

 SolidWorks is used by students, designers,

engineers, and other professionals to produce
simple and complex parts, assemblies, and
drawings.
 SolidWorks Software Characteristic

 Featured-based
 Made up of a number of individual piece part
 Can be classified as either sketched or applied

 Parametric solid modeling

 Enable you to quickly and easily make changes to the model

 Fully associative
 Model is fully associative to the drawings and assemblies that
reference it.
 Any model changes will reflect the associated drawings and
assembly.
Concept of feature based modeling

3
Different plane of feature based

Sketch 2 on Front Plane

Sketch 1 on Top Plane

How about this?

Multiple features
Sketch on many plane
Sketches and Applied Features

 Sketched Feature:
 Is based upon a 2D sketch. Generally that sketch
is transformed into a solid by extrusion, rotation,
sweeping or lofting.

 Applied Feature:
 Created directly on the solid model. Fillets and
chamfers are examples of this type of feature.
Sketched Feature:
Applied Feature:
 File reference

In-Context reference

Referenced files do not have to be stored with that references them. In most
practical applications, the referenced documents are stored in multiple
locations on the computer or network. SolidWorks provides several tools to
determine the references that exist and their location.
 Design Intent
 Is your plan as to how the model should behave when it
is changed.

 For example: if you model a boss with a blind hole in it,

the hole should move when the boss is moved.

 Several factors contribute to how you capture design

intent:
 Automatic relations
 Equations
 Added relations
 Dimensioning
 Some examples of different design
intent in a sketch
(a) (b) (c)

Dimensioned like this will Dimensioned like this will keep
keep the holes 20 mm the holes positioned relative to the
from each end regardless left edge of the plate. The
of how the overall plate positions of the holes are not
width is changed. affected by changes in the overall
width of the plate.
Dimensioning from the
edge and center to center
will maintain the distance
between the hole centers
and allow it to be changed
that way.
How Feature Affect Design Intent

The choice of features and the

modeling methodology are also
important. For example, consider
the case of a simple stepped shaft
as shown at the left. There are
several ways a part like this could
be built.
• The “Layer Cake” Approach
• The Manufacturing Approach
• The “Potter’s Wheel” Approach
The “Layer Cake” Approach

Builds the part one pieces at a time,

adding each layer, or feature, onto the
previous one.
The Manufacturing Approach

Modeling mimics the way the part would be

manufactured. For example, if this stepped
shaft was turned on a lathe, you would start
with a piece of bar stock and remove material
using a series of cuts.
The “Potter’s Wheel” Approach

Builds the part as a single, revolved feature.

Parts, Assemblies & Drawings

The SolidWorks model is

made up of:

 Parts
 Assemblies
 Drawings
Software Interface
Left Side of SolidWorks Window

Feature Manager Property Configuration

design tree™ Manager Manager
Right Side of SolidWorks Window
- The Task Pane
System Feedback
 Provided by a symbol
attached to the cursor
arrow indicating what are
you selecting or what the
system is expecting you to
select.

 The illustration at the

right shows some of the
symbols.
Mouse Buttons
Options
• Use to customize the Solidworks
software to reflect such things as your
company drafting standards as well as
your individual preferences and work
environment.
• Located on the Tools menu or click
icon
• Several levels of customization:-
• System Option – will affect
every document and every
times you open your
SolidWorks session.
• Document properties – applied
to the individual document.
Solid Modeling
BDA 30903

Lesson 2

Sketching
Compiled by; Dr Sia Chee Kiong

C-RBAFR2DT4W
Content
1. Why we need sketches?
2. Planes
3. Sketch entities and geometry.
4. Sketch status.
5. Sketch relations and dimension.
6. Sketch editing. (trim, move, fillet,
chamfer, offset)
7. Write texts in a sketch.
 Why we need sketches?
 Solid model are build from features.
 Shape features have sketches.
 Sketched features are build from 2D profile.

Planes – View

Sketch – shape Features – solid

model
Why we need sketches?
Sketch can form the basis of several different type of features
 Example
To create an extruded base features To create an extruded base features

Select a Select a
sketch plane sketch plane

Sketch a 2D
Sketch a 2D
Profile +
Profile
centerline

Extrude Revolve
 2. Planes
3 types
1. Default planes
2. Planes according to the model
3. Customized plane Default planes

Planes according to the model Customized plane

3. Sketch
SolidWorks offers a rich variety of sketch tool for creating profile geometry.

Sketch
tool
Sketch complexity
In many cases, you can produce the same results by creating an extruded feature with a
complex profile, or and extruded features with a simpler profile and some additional
Features.

For example, if the edges of an extrusion need to be rounded u can -

Method 2
Method 1
complex Complex sketch rebuild faster, Simple
sketch Simple sketch are more flexible sketch
and easier to manage.

Add
features
 Mechanics of sketching
To sketch geometry, there are two
techniques can be used:
1. Click – click.
Select line. Position the cursor where you want the line to start. Click (press
and release) the left mouse button. Move the cursor where you want the
line to end. A preview of the sketch entities will follow the cursor like a
rubber band. Click the left mouse button a second time.

2. Click and drag

Select line. Position the cursor where you want the line to start. Press and
hold the left mouse button. Drag the cursor where you want the line to
end. A preview of the sketch entities will follow the cursor like a rubber
band. Release the left mouse button.
 Beginning a sketch (draw
rectangle)
1. Select any plane at feature
manager design tree to
draw sketch.
2. Click sketch on the sketch
command manager
3. Click rectangle on the
sketch tools toolbar.
4. Move the pointer to the
origin and click the left
mouse button
5. Drag the pointer up and to
the right , click the left
mouse button.
 Rules that govern sketches
Different type sketches will yield different results. Several different
types are summarized in table below.
Special Special
Sketch type Description considerations Sketch type Description considerations
A typical Rebuild error.
“standard” Corner are Unable to
create features
sketch that is a Not required not neatly due to
neatly close closed geometry
contour conditions
This sketch will
Multiple nested Sketching create
contours create contains a self multibody solid
a boss with an Not required intersecting (for
internal cut. contour experience
user)
Open contour This sketch will
creates a thin This sketch of create
the first feature multibody solid
features with Not required contains disjoint (for
constant contour experience
thickness user)
 The Status of a Sketch
Under defined Fully defined Over defined

1. There is inadequate 1. The sketch has 1. Contains duplicate

definition of the sketch.
complete information. dimensions or
2. You can drag endpoints,
2. No additional conflicting relations
lines, or curves until the
dimensions or and it should not be
sketch entity changes
relationships are used until repaired.
shape.
3. Additional dimensions or required.
3. Fully defined sketch 2. Over defined sketch
relations are required.
entities are black (by entities are red (by
4. Under defined sketch
default). default).
entities are blue (by
default).
 Making a Fully Define Sketch
 Design intent in a sketch is captured and controlled by
a combination of two things:
1. Sketch Relation
Create geometric relationships such as parallel,
collinear, perpendicular, or coincident between sketch
elements.
2. Dimensions
Dimension are used to define the size and location of
the sketch geometry. Linear, radial, diameter and
angular dimensions can be added.

 To fully define a sketch and capture the desired

design intent requires understanding and applying a
combination of relations and dimension.
Sketch Relation
Sketch Relation
cont ……
 Add and remove relations
Add Relations
•Appears when you click Add Relation on the Dimensions/Relations
toolbar.
•Appears when you select multiple sketch entities in the graphics area.
• Or, right-click the entity or entities, and select Add Relation from the
short-cut menu.
•Or, click Tools, Relations, Add…

Remove Relations
To remove a relations simple select and delete the constraint symbol.
Alternately select the entity in question and delete the unwanted constraint
from the Existing Relations in the property manager.
 Dimension
 It is used to define the size.
 In SolidWorks, dimensions are not just static
numbers that tell you the size of something.
Instead, the dimensions are used to change the
size and shape of the model.
 The type of dimension is determined by the items
on which you click. For example, if you pick an arc
the system creates a radial dimension. If you pick
a circle, you get a diameter dimension, while
selecting two parallel lines creates a linear
dimension between them.
Item to be Dimensioning
To dimension the... Click... Note:
Length of a line or edge The line.

Angle between two lines Two lines, or a line and a model edge. Placement of the dimension affects the
way the angle is measured.

Distance between two lines Two parallel lines or a line and a parallel
model edge.

Perpendicular distance from a point The point and the line or model edge.
to a line
Distance between two points Two points. One of the points can be a model vertex.

Radius of an arc The arc.

True length of an arc The arc, then the two end points.

Diameter of a circle The circumference. Displayed as linear or diameter, depending

on placement.

Distance when one or both entities The centerpoint or the circumference of By default, distance is measured to the
is an arc or a circle the arc or circle, and the other entity (line, centerpoint of the arc or circle, even when
edge, point, etc.). you select the circumference.

Midpoint of a linear edge Right-click the edge whose midpoint you You can also dimension to midpoints when
want to dimension and click Select you add baseline or ordinate dimensions.
Midpoint. Then select the second entity to
dimension.
2D Sketch Command
Fillet
Rounds the corner at the intersection of two sketch
entities, creating a tangent arc.

The radius value stays in effect until you change it.

Therefore, you can draw any number of fillets with the before

same radius.
1. In an open sketch, click Sketch Fillet on
the Sketch toolbar, or Tools, Sketch Tools,
Fillet.
2. Set the properties in the Sketch Fillet
PropertyManager.
3. Select the sketch entities to fillet.
To select the sketch entities, you can: after
1. Hold Ctrl and select two sketch entities.
2. Select a corner.
Click OK to accept the fillet, or click Undo to remove the
fillet. You can undo a sequence of fillets in reverse order.

Offset
Adds sketch entities by
offsetting faces, edges,
curves, or sketch entities a
specified distance.
To create a sketch offset:
1. In an open sketch, select
one or more sketch
entities, a model face, or
a model edge.
2. Click Offset Entities
on the Sketch toolbar, or
click Tools, Sketch
Tools, Offset Entities.
3. In the PropertyManager,
under Parameters, set
the following:
 When you click in the graphics
area, the Offset Entity is
complete. Set the
Parameters before you click
in the graphics area.
 Offset Distance . Set a
value to offset the sketch
entity by a specified distance.
To see a dynamic preview,
hold down the mouse button
and drag the pointer in the
graphics area. When you
release the mouse button, the
Offset Entity is complete.
 Add dimensions. Include
the Offset Distance in
the sketch. This does not
affect any dimensions
included with the original
sketch entity.
 Reverse. Change the
direction of a one-directional
offset.
 Select chain. Create an
offset of all adjacent sketch
entities.
 Bi-directional. Create offset
entities in two directions.
 Make base construction.
Convert the original sketch
entity to a construction line.
 Cap ends. Extend the original
non-intersecting sketch entities
by selecting Bi-directional,
and adding a cap. You can
create Arcs or Lines as
extension cap types.
4. Click OK or click in the
graphics area.
 To change the size of a sketch
offset: Double-click the offset’s
dimension and change the
value. In a bi-directional offset,
change the dimensions of the
two offsets individually.
 Convert Entities
• Converts selected model
edges or sketch entities into
sketch segments by
projecting selected edge,
loop, face and curve onto
the sketch plane.
• Rather than drawing the
outlines by hand, they are
“copied” from existing
geometry.
• This technique is:
• Fast and easy– select
the face and click the To convert an entity:
tool. 1. In an open sketch, click a model edge, loop, face,
• Accurate – sketch curve, external sketch contour, set of edges, or set of
entities are “cloned” curves.
directly from existing 2. Click Convert Entities on the Sketch toolbar, or
geometry. click Tools, Sketch Tools, Convert Entities.
• Intelligent – if the solid
body changes shape,
the sketch updates.
Automatically.
 Mirror Entities
• Create a symmetric entities
corresponding to the mirrored lines.
Mirror line
If you change a mirrored entity, its
mirror image also changes.
• To mirror existing sketch entities:
1. In an open sketch, click Mirror
Entities on the Sketch toolbar,
or click Tools, Sketch Tools, Entities to
Mirror. mirror
mirror
2. In the PropertyManager:
a) Select sketch entities for
Entities to Mirror .
b) Clear Copy to remove the
original sketch entities or
Select Copy to include the
original sketch entities.
c) Select an edge or a line to
Mirror about .
3. Click OK. After mirror
 ACTIVITIES, Exercise 1
Create this sketch on the front plane using,
Next select sketch fillet and set the Radius
lines, automatic relation and dimension.
to 0.1875”. Select all of the endpoints in
Fully define the sketch. All dimensions are
the sketch.
in inches.
ACTIVITIES, Exercise 2
Create this sketch on the front plane using, lines, automatic relation and dimension. Fully
define the sketch. All dimensions are in mm.
ACTIVITIES, Exercise 3
Create this sketch on the front plane using, lines, automatic relation and dimension. Fully
define the sketch. All dimensions are in mm.

Ellipse

Major axis 149

Minor axis 75
 Solid Modeling
BDA 30903

Lesson 3
Basic Modeling Technique
 INTRODUCTION

This Chapter discusses 3D Modeling Terminology,

Profile selection, Views, Extruded boss/base,
Extruded cut, Revolved boss/base, Revolved cut,
Swept boss/base, Lofted boss/base, Fillet, Chamfer,
Rib, Mirror, Shell, Draft, Hole wizard, linear pattern,
circular pattern, Reference, Helix/Spiral, Sectioning,
editing and repairing problem, Configuration.
 LEARNINGS OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this lesson, you will be able to:
• Choose the best profile for
sketching.
• Choose the proper sketch plane.
• Create a new part.
• Extrude a sketch as a boss.
• Extrude a sketch as a cut.
• Create hole wizard holes.
• Create revolved features.
• Create a sweep features.
• Create a loft features.
• Perform shelling operations to
hollow out a part.
• Use rib tool.
• Use geometry pattern (linear,
circular and mirror) properly.
• Insert fillets on a solid.
• Diagnose various problems in a part.
• Repair sketch geometry problems.
• Repair dangling relations and
dimensions.
• Create reference planes.
• Use configurations to represent
different versions of a part within a
single SolidWorks file.
• Suppress and unsuppress features.
• Change dimension values by
configuration.
 3D Modeling Terminology

Axis – An implied centerline that runs

through every cylindrical feature.

Plan – a flat 2D surface

Origin – The point where the three

default reference planes intersect.

Face – The surface or “skin” of a part.

Faces can be flat or curved.

Edge – The boundary of a face. Edges

can be straight or curve

Vertex – The corner where edges

meet.
 Choosing the Best Profile

Choose the “best” profile. This profile, when extrude, will generate more of the
model than any other. Look at these models as examples.
 Choosing the Sketch Plane

•Profile will contact or be parallel to one of the three planes.

•Things to consider when choosing the sketch planes.
1. The part appearance in standard views
2. The part orientation in an assembly
3. The part appearance in detail drawing

profile

View of finalize model if selecting different Plane orientation

 Features and Commands

Base Feature
• The first feature that is created.
• The foundation of the part.
• The base feature geometry for the box is an
extrusion.
• The extrusion is named Extrude1.
• Tip: Keep the base feature simple.
 Features Used to Build
Shell Feature
• Removes material from the selected face.
Extruded Boss Feature • Creates a hollow block from a solid block.
•Adds material to the part. • Very useful for thin-walled, plastic parts.
•Requires a sketch. • You are required to specify a wall thickness when
using the shell feature.
Extruded Cut Feature
• Removes material from the
part.
• Requires a sketch.

Fillet Feature
• Rounds the edges or faces of (Base features)
a part to a specified radius.
 View control

Magnify or reduce the view of a model in the graphics

area.
• zoom to fit – displays the part so that it fills the
current window
. • Zoom to area – zooms in on a portion of the view that
you select by dragging a bounding box.
• Zoom in/out – drag the pointer upward to zoom in.
drag the pointer downward to zoom out.
• Zoom to selection – the view zooms so that the
selected object fills the window.
 Display modes

• Shaded
• Shaded with edges
• Hidden lines removed
• Hidden line visible
• Wireframe
 Section view

• Display the
internal
structure of a
model.
• Requires a
section cutting
plane.
 View orientation
Changes the view display to correspond to one
of the standard view orientations.
• Front
• Right
• Bottom
• Top
• Left
• Back
• Isometric
• Normal to
 Extrude – End Conditions Option
An extrusion will extend a profile along a path
normal to the profile plane for some distance. The
movement along that path becomes the solid
model.
End Condition Name Results of Using the End Condition

Blind Extrusion distance is specified by the user.

Through All Extrusion continues through the entire part.

Up to Vertex Selected vertex or point dictates extrusion distance.

Up to Surface Selected surface, face or plane dictates extrusion distance.

Extrusion terminates the specified distance either before or after the selected surface, face or
Offset from Surface
plane.
Up to Next Extrusion terminates at the next face encountered.

Up to Body Selected body dictates the extrusion distance.

Extrudes equal amounts in opposite directions. Distance specified is the total distance of the
Midplane
extrusion.
End
Condition Results of Using the End Condition Original
sketch
Name plane

Blind Extrusion distance is specified by the user.

Through All Extrusion continues through the entire part.

Selected vertex or point dictates extrusion

Up to Vertex
distance.

Selected surface, face or plane dictates

Up to Surface
extrusion distance.

Offset from Surface

Extrusion terminates the specified distance either
Offset from

Up to Surface
before or after the selected surface, face or

Up to Vertex
Through All
Surface

Up to Body
Up to Next

Midplane
plane.

Blind
Extrusion terminates at the next face
Up to Next
encountered. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Up to Body Selected body dictates the extrusion distance. Vertex point

*
Extrudes equal amounts in opposite directions. Next body
Midplane Distance specified is the total distance of the
extrusion.
 Revolve Feature
• A Revolve feature is created by rotating a 2D profile
sketch around an axis of revolution.
• The profile sketch can use a sketch line or a centerline
as the axis of revolution.
• The profile sketch cannot cross the axis of revolution.
To Create a Revolve Feature:
1. Select a sketch plane.
2. Sketch a 2D profile.
3. (Optional) Sketch a centerline.
• The axis of revolution must be in the sketch with centerline

the profile. It cannot be in a separate sketch.

• The profile must not cross the centerline.
4. Click Revolved Boss/Base .
5. Specify the angle of rotation and click OK. The default
angle is 360°.
6. The sketch is revolved around the axis of revolution,
creating the feature.
 Sweep Feature
•The Sweep feature is created by moving a 2D profile
along a path.
•A Sweep feature is used to create the handle on the
candlestick.
•The Sweep feature requires two sketches:
•Sweep Path
•Sweep Profile

Sweep Overview – Rules

• The sweep path is a set of sketched curves contained in

a sketch, a curve, or a set of model edges.
• The sweep profile must be a closed contour.
• The start point of the path must lie on the plane of the
sweep section.
• The section, path or the resulting solid cannot be self-
intersecting.
 Loft Feature
Blends multiple profiles together.
A Loft feature can be a base, boss, or cut.

To Create a Simple Loft Feature:

1. Create the planes required for the profile

sketches. Each sketch should be on a
different plane.
2. Sketch a profile on the first plane.
3. Sketch the remaining profiles on their
corresponding planes.
4. Click Loft on the Features toolbar.
5. Select each profile.
6. Examine the preview curve and the
connectors.
7. Click OK .
 Fillet Feature
Fillet/Round creates a rounded internal or external face on the part. You can fillet all edges
of a face, selected sets of faces, selected edges, or edge loops.
Recommendations for Fillets:
In general, it is best to follow these rules when making fillets:
• Add larger fillets before smaller ones. When several fillets converge at a vertex, create the
larger fillets first.
• Add drafts before fillets. If you are creating a molded or cast part with many filleted edges
and drafted surfaces, in most cases you should add the draft features before the fillets.
• Save cosmetic fillets for last. Try to add cosmetic fillets after most other geometry is in
place. If you add them earlier, it takes longer to rebuild the part.
• To enable a part to rebuild more rapidly, use a single Fillet operation to treat several
edges that require equal radius fillets. However, if you change the radius of that fillet, all
the fillets created in the same operation change.

To create fillets:
1. Click Fillet on the Features toolbar, or click Insert, Features, Fillet/Round.
2. Set the PropertyManager options. For constant radius fillets only, you can use the
FilletXpert to add or modify fillets.
3. Click OK
 Fillet Feature cont…
Creates a beveled feature on selected edges, faces, or a vertex.

Types of fillets
 Chamfer Feature
Creates a beveled feature on selected edges, faces, or a vertex.
To create a chamfer:
1. Click Chamfer on the Features toolbar, or click Insert,
Features, Chamfer.
2. Under Chamfer Parameters:
• Select an entity in the graphics area for Edges and Faces or
Vertex. Original part
• Select one of the following:
Angle - distance
Distance - distance
Vertex
• Choose Select through faces to enable selection of edges
through faces that hide the edges. Keep features
• Select Equal Distance to specify a single value for distance or cleared
vertex.
• Select Keep features to retain features such as cuts or extrudes
that would otherwise be removed when you apply the chamfer.
• Select Tangent propagation to extend the chamfer to faces or
edges that are tangent to the selected entity. Keep features
Select a preview mode: Full preview, Partial preview, or No checked
preview.
3. Click OK
 Rib Feature
• Rib is a special type of extruded feature created from
open or closed sketched contours.
• It adds material of a specified thickness in a specified
direction between the contour and an existing part.

To create a rib:
1. Sketch the contour to use as the rib feature on a
plane that:
• Intersects the part, or
• Is parallel or at an angle to an existing plane
2. Click Rib on the Features toolbar, or click Insert,
Features, Rib.
3. Set the PropertyManager options.
4. Click OK
 Draft Feature
• Tapers model faces by a specified angle, using a neutral pane or a parting line.
• Use to make a molded part easier to remove from the mold.

• To draft a model face:

1. Click Draft (Features toolbar) or Insert, Features, Draft.
2. Set the options in the PropertyManager.
3. Click OK
 Hole Wizard
• Insert a hole using a pre-defined cross-
section.
• Two tabs appear at the Hole Wizard
propertymanager:
Counterbore Countersink Hole
• Type (default). Sets the hole type
parameters.
• Positions. Locates the Hole Wizard
holes on planar or non-planar faces.
Use the dimension and other sketch
tools to position the hole centers.
• Hole type
Tap Pipe tap Legacy Hole
To create Hole Wizard holes:
1. Create a part and select a planar surface.
2. Click Hole Wizard on the Features
toolbar or Insert, Features, Hole, Wizard.
3. Set the options in the PropertyManager.
4. Click OK
 Pattern

• Repeats the selected features in an array

based on a seed feature.

• You can create a linear pattern, a circular

pattern, a curve driven pattern, a fill
pattern, or use sketch points or table
coordinates to create the pattern.

• Mirror copies the selected features or all

features, mirroring them about the
selected plane or face
 Reference Geometry
The Reference Geometry toolbar provides tools for creating and using reference
geometry.

Plane

Axis

Coordinate System

Point
 Creating plane
•Parallel Plane at Point . Create a
1. Click Plane on the Reference plane through a point parallel to a plane
Geometry toolbar, or click Insert, or face.
Reference Geometry, Plane. The Plane
PropertyManager appears.

2. Under Selections, select the type of

plane you want to create and the items
to create the plane:

• Through Lines/Points . Create a Select a face or planar

face.
Then select a midpoint. The new plane is parallel
to the selected face
plane through an edge, axis, or sketch through the chosen
midpoint.
line, and a point, or through three •At Angle . Create a plane through
points. an edge, axis, or sketch line at an angle
to a face or plane.

If the selected line is in the same plane If the selected line is parallel to the selected
as the selected plane, the new plane plane, the new plane moves to the parallel
rotates around the selected line. line and rotates around the line.
 Creating plane
•Offset Distance .Create a plane parallel
•On Surface . Create a plane on a
to a plane or face, offset by a specified
distance. This is the default plane created. non-planar face or angular surface.

a. Select a surface.
b. Select a sketch
point on the surface

•Normal to Curve . Create a plane

•Drag and Drop. You can also drag and drop
through a point and perpendicular to an
to create a plane.
edge or curve.
The selected items appear in the Reference
Entities box. A preview of the new plane
appears in the graphics area.

3. Click OK to create the plane.

In this example, you select just the helix to A circle is swept along the
create the new plane. Plane 4 is perpendicular helix to create a spring.
to the end of the tapered helix.
 Creating Axis
1. Click Axis on the Reference
Geometry toolbar, or click Insert,
Reference Geometry, Axis.
• Point and Face/Plane . Select a
2. Select the axis type in the Axis
surface or plane and a vertex point,
PropertyManager, then select the
or midpoint. The resultant axis is
required entities for that type.
normal to the selected surface or
• One Line/Edge/Axis . Select a
plane through the selected vertex,
sketch line, an edge, or select View,
point, or midpoint. If the surface is
Temporary Axes and then select the
non-planar, the point must be on the
axis that is displayed.
surface.
• Two Planes . Select two planar
3. Verify that the items listed in Reference
faces, or select View, Planes, and
Entities correspond to your selections.
then select two planes.
4. Click OK.
• Two Points/Vertices . Select two
5. Click View, Axes to see the new axis.
vertices, points, or midpoints.
• Cylindrical/Conical Face . Select a
cylindrical or conical face.
 Display Temporary Axis

• You can use an axis in creating sketch

geometry or in a circular pattern.
• Every cylindrical and conical face has
an axis.
• Temporary axes are those created
implicitly by cones and cylinders in the
model.
• To display temporary axes: Click View,
Temporary Axes.
 Creating Coordinate System

You can define a coordinate system for a part or assembly. Use this coordinate system with
the Measure and Mass Properties tools, and for exporting SolidWorks documents to IGES,
STL, ACIS, STEP, Parasolid, VRML, and VDA.

To create a coordinate system:

1. Click Coordinate System on the Reference Geometry toolbar, or click Insert,

Reference Geometry, Coordinate System.
2. Use the Coordinate System PropertyManager to create the coordinate system.
3. Click OK
 Creating Point

Use as construction objects.

Can also create multiple reference points that are a specified distance apart on curves.
Click View, Points to toggle the display of reference points.

To create a single reference point:

1. Click Point on the Reference Geometry toolbar, or click Insert, Reference

Geometry, Point.
2. In the PropertyManager, select the type of reference point to create.
3. In the graphics area, select the entities to use to create the reference point.
4. Click OK
 Families of Parts
• Many times parts come in a
variety of sizes.
• This is called a family of parts.
• It is not efficient to build each
version individually.
• Design Tables simplify making
families of parts.
What is a Configuration?
• A configuration is a way to create a
family of similar parts within one file.
• Each configuration represents one
version of the part.
Suppress / Unsuppress (also known as
revolved) Feature
Suppress is used to temporarily remove
a feature. When a feature is suppressed,
the system treats it as if it doesn’t exist.
That means other features that are
dependent on it will be suppressed also. In
addition, suppressed features are removed
from memory, freeing up system
resources. Suppressed features can be
unsuppressed at any time.
 To create a configuration manually:
1. In either a part or assembly document,
6. Modify the model as needed to create
click the ConfigurationManager tab
the design variation.
at the top of the FeatureManager
7. Save the model.
design tree to change to the
ConfigurationManager.
To activate a different configuration:
2. In the ConfigurationManager, right-click
the part or assembly name and select
1. Click the ConfigurationManager tab
Add Configuration.
to change to the
3. In the Add Configuration
ConfigurationManager.
PropertyManager, type a Configuration
2. Right-click the name of the
Name and specify properties for the
configuration you want to view and
new configuration. You can specify a
select Show Configuration or Double-
configuration specific color.
click the configuration name. The
4. Click .
named configuration becomes the
5. Click the FeatureManager design tree
active configuration, and the view of
tab to return to the
the model updates to reflect the newly
FeatureManager design tree.
selected configuration.
 ACTIVITIES
Exercise 1
Create this part using the information and dimensions provided. Sketch and extrude profiles
to create the part.
Exercise 2
Use the following graphics to create the part.
Exercise 3

Use the following graphics to create the part. Holes are concentric to circular edges created
by fillets and rounds.
Exercise 3

Use the following graphics to create the part. Holes are concentric to circular edges created
by fillets and rounds.
Exercise 4

Create this part using the dimension

provided. Use relations and
equations where applicable to
maintain the design intent. Give
careful thought to the best location
for the origin.

Design intent

The design intent for this part is as

follow:
1. The part is symmetrical.
2. Front holes on centerline.
3. All fillets and round are R 3mm
unless noted.
4. Center holes in Front and Right
share a common centerpoint.

Dimension in mm:

SECTION A-A
Exercise 5

Build this part in SolidWorks.

Material: 6061 Alloy. Density = 0.0027g/mm^3 , Unit system: MMGS (millimeter, gram,
second), Decimal places: 2. , A = 100. All holes through all, unless otherwise specified.
What is the overall mass of the part in grams? (2040.57 gram)
Exercise 6

Build this part in SolidWorks.

Unit system: MMGS (millimeter, gram, second), Decimal places: 2. Part origin: Arbitrary
A = 63mm, B = 50mm, C = 100mm. All holes through all, Part material: Copper Density =
0.0089 g/mm^3 , What is the overall mass of the part in grams? (1280 gram)
Exercise 7
Question 7a:
A = 60 B = 64 C = 140 D = 19
These questions are the Parametric Part
What is the overall mass of the part (in grams)?
Modeling. Use configuration to create these
parts.
Question 7b:
A = 50 B = 70 C = 160 D = 23
ADVICE
What is the overall mass of the part (in grams)?
You should be able to answer all four
questions correctly within 20 to 30 minutes.
Read through every question first. This will
help you save time and make correct
decisions when choosing which sketch plane
to use and which sketch profile is best. Avoid
sketch fillets in this particular design.

Design this part in SolidWorks.

Unit system: MMGS (millimeter, gram,
second)
Decimal places: 2
Part origin: Arbitrary
Part material: Brass
Material Density: 0.0085 g/mm^3
Design note: the part is shelled throughout
(single open face as shown)
Update part with new features/dimensions.
Unit system: MMGS (millimeter, gram,
second)
Decimal places: 2
Part material: Brass
Material Density: 0.0085 g/mm^3
Design note: no shell remaining

Question 7c:
A = 60 B = 64 C = 140 D = 19 E = 25
What is the overall mass of the part (in
grams)? ANSWERS
7a) 1006.91 grams
Question 7d: 7b) 1230.82 grams
A = 70 B = 80 C = 130 D = 15 E = 40 7c) 2859.51 grams
What is the overall mass of the part (in 7d) 3218.14 grams
grams)?
Solid Modeling
BDA 30903

Lesson 4
Part Assembly
 INTRODUCTION
Part files, as you have learned,
typically contain one contiguous
solid modeling. Assembly files can
contain more than one part.
Assembly files give you the
capability of assembling the parts
you have created, putting the parts
together as if you were actually
building the assembly in real life.
The following figure shows an
example of an assembly. It is the
example you will use to learn about
assemblies in this lesson.
 LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of this module, you would be able to:

• create a new assembly

• insert components into an assembly using all available
techniques.
• add mating relationships between components.
• utilize the assembly-specific aspects of the FeatureManager
design tree to manipulate and manage the assembly.
• insert sub-assemblies.
• use part configurations in an assembly.
 Introduction to Part Assembly
You can build complex assemblies consisting of many components,
which can be parts or other assemblies, called sub-assemblies. For
most operations, the behavior of components is the same for both
types. Adding a component to an assembly creates a link between the
assembly and the component. When SolidWorks opens the assembly,
it finds the component file to show it in the assembly. Changes in the
component are automatically reflected in the assembly.

The document name extension for assemblies is .sldasm

Handle Sub-assembly

Coupling

Adjustable rod
(2 copies)
Main body

Pressing part

Bolt 1
(6 copies)
 1. Open an existing part

Open the part Main body. A

new assembly will be created
by using this part.
The first component added to
an assembly should be a part
that will not move (fix). By
fixing the first component,
others can be mated to it
without any danger of it
moving.
 2. Starting a New Assembly
i) To create an assembly from a beginning or new file:
Click New (Standard toolbar)
New SolidWorks Document will appear and then click Assembly
box to begin the Part Assembly.

ii) To create an assembly from a part:

Click Make Assembly from Part/Assembly (Standard toolbar)
or File, Make Assembly from Part.
Click in the graphics area to add the part to the assembly.
 3. Locate component.
Place the component at the origin
by simply clicking OK. The part
will appear in the assembly
FeatureManager design tree
as Fixed (f).

An assembly opens with the

Insert Component
PropertyManager active.
SolidWorks will make
automatically the first component
fix and the second component
onwards will float.
 4. Save

Save the assembly under the name Flywheel Press. Assembly

files have the file extension *.sldasm.
Close the Main body part file.
 FeatureManager Design Tree
Conventions and Symbols
The FeatureManager design tree displays
these items for assemblies:
• Top-level assembly (the first item)
• Various folders, for example,
Annotations and Mates
• Assembly planes and origin
• Components (sub-assemblies and
individual parts)
• Assembly features (cuts or holes) and
component patterns

You can expand or collapse each component

to view its details by clicking beside the
component name. To collapse all the items in
the tree, right-click anywhere in the tree and
select Collapse Items.
 Adding Components to an Assembly

When you place a component (either an individual part or a sub-assembly) in an

assembly, the component file is linked to the assembly file. The component
appears in the assembly; the component data remains in the source component
file. Any changes you make to the component file update the assembly.

There are many ways to add components to a new or existing assembly:

• Use the Insert Component PropertyManager.
• Drag from the File Explorer tab in the Task Pane.
• Drag from an open document window.
• Drag from Windows Explorer.
• Drag a hyperlink from Internet Explorer.
• Drag within the assembly for additional instances of existing components.
• Drag from the Design Library in the Task Pane.
• Use Insert, Smart Fasteners to add bolts, screws, nuts, pins, and washers.
 5. Insert component

Click Insert component and

select the Pressing part using
Browse button. Position the
component on the screen to the
left of the Main body and click to
place it.
The new component is listed as:
(-) Pressing part <1>
This means that the component is
the first instance of Pressing part
and it is under defined. It still has
all six degrees of freedom.
 6. Highlighting
Clicking on a component in the FeatureManager design tree will
cause that component to highlight (light green). Also, moving the
cursor to a component in the graphics window will display the
feature name.
 Moving and Rotating Components
One or more selected
a) Using the mouse:
components can be moved or
Drag and drop a component.
rotated to reposition them for
Right click a component, and
mating using the mouse or the
select Move with Triad.
Move and Rotate Components
The triad provides visible axes,
commands. Also, moving under
webs (plane between axes) and
defined components simulates
rings. Use the triad to move or
movement of a mechanism
rotate components along
through dynamic assembly
axes/webs or around rings. Float
motion.
over arrorhead: left-drag to
move along the axis. Float over
ring: left-drag to rotate around
the ring.
 Moving and Rotating Components
b) Using the menus:
• From the pull-down menu choose: Tools, Component, Rotate or Move.
• Right-click the component, and select Move…
• Or, on the Assembly toolbar pick one of these tools:

Move a component. This can also be used to rotate components that have
rotational degrees of freedom.

Rotate the component in one of several ways: about its centerpoint; about
an entity such as an edge or axis; or by some angular value about the assembly X,
Y, or Z axes.

7. Move
Click on the component and drag it to move it closer to where it will be mated.
 Mating Relationships

Mates create geometric relationships between assembly components. As you add

mates, you define the allowable directions of linear or rotational motion of the
components. You can move a component within its degrees of freedom,
visualizing the assembly's behavior. Mate relationships can be added between
many things, including the following: Faces, Planes, Axes, Model edges, Sketch
geometry and Origin or vertex points.

Mates are solved together as a system. The order in which you add mates does
not matter; all mates are solved at the same time. You can suppress mates just as
you can suppress features.
 Mate Pop-up Toolbar
The Mate Pop-up Toolbar is used to make selections
easier by displaying the available mate types on the
screen. The mate types that are available vary by
geometry selection and mirror those that appear in the
PropertyManager. The dialog appears on the graphics but
can be dragged anywhere.
 Adding Mate Relationship
To add mate relationships, perform the following
steps;

1. Select Insert > Mate, or click on the Mate

icon found on the Assembly toolbar.
2. Select the objects between which to add a
mate relationship. For instance, select a face
on each of the two components being mated.
3. From the Mate PropertyManager, select the
mate type to be added.
4. If adding a distance or angle mate, type in a
distance or angle value for the mate.
5. Click on OK to add the mate.
6. Repeat step 2 through 5 as needed, or click
on OK a second time to close the Mate
PropertyManager.
 Types of mates
There are many mate conditions that can be applied between components. The
following will clarify the basic mate types that will be used in this lesson.

Coincident mate
Planar faces become coplanar (flush against each other). Edges or points can also
be used in coincident mates.
You can add coincident mates between two planar faces as shown the example
below:

Coincident
mate

Face 1 Face 2
Concentric mate
Cylindrical faces become aligned along their axes. Conical and spherical faces, as
well as axes, can be mated concentric.
Concentric mate
You can add concentric mates between two cylindrical faces as shown the example
below:

Face
2

Concentric
mate

Face
1
Parallel and Perpendicular mate
You can add parallel or perpendicular mates between two faces as shown the
example below:

Parallel mate

Face 2

Perpendicular
Face 1 mate
Distance mate
Similar to parallel, but the distance between faces can be specified. Use this mate
for specifying clearances.
You can add distance mates between the two faces as shown below. You must type
a distance value in the Distance box in the Mate PropertyManager. The default
value is the current distance between the selected entities

Face 1

Face 2
Distance mate
Angle mate
You can add an angle mate between two faces as shown the example below: You
must type an angle value in the Angle box in the Mate PropertyManager. The
default value is the current angle between the selected entities

Face 1

Face 2
Angle mate
Tangent mate
All types of faces can be made tangent to each other, with the exception of two
planar faces, which would be considered a coincident mate.
You can add tangent mates between planar and cylindrical faces as shown the
example below:

Face 1

Face 2

Tangent
mate
 Alignment Conditions
When two components are mated, such as with a coincident mating relationship,
the components could be either aligned or anti-aligned. This alignment refers to
the side of the selected faces the part geometry is on. If the geometry is not on the
same side, the components are anti-aligned. This is depicted by the following
figure.

Regarding other mates, such as tangent,

alignment conditions are not as
straightforward. The best advice
Aligned Anti-
regarding alignment conditions is to not aligned
worry about them. If the alignment is
wrong, reverse the alignment. This is
done by using the alignment options
available in PropertyManager and on Alignment
the Pop-up toolbar.
 8. Selections and preview
Select the faces of the Main Body and the Pressing part as indicated below. As the
second face is selected, the Mate Pop-up Toolbar is displayed. Coincident is
selected as the default and the mate is previewed.

Select this face

 9. Add mate 10. Planar face

The faces are listed in the Mate Select the side planar face of the Main
Settings list. Exactly two items should Body component.
appear in the list. Accept the
Coincident mate and click Add/Finish
Mate (check mark).
 11. Select Other
Click on the indicated face, right click and click Select Other to select the hidden
face of the Pressing part as shown below. Add a Coincident mate to bring the
selected faces into contact
 12. State of
13. Mates listed
constraint
The Pressing part is listed under
constrained. It is still able to move by
The mates, coincident and concentric,
dragging up and down along the axis of
remain listed in the Mates group box.
its surface. Fix the Pressing part by
They will be added to the Mates folder
using Concentric mate. Select the
when the OK button on the
cylindrical face at one of the hole on
PropertyManager dialog is clicked. They
the both components.
can also be removed from this group
Cylindrical box so that they are not added. Click
OK.
faces inside
of the holes
 Suppressing a Mating Relationship
You can suppress mates to prevent
them from being solved. This allows
you to experiment with different
types of mates without over defining
the assembly.
To suppress a mate in the active
configuration:
Right-click the mate in the
FeatureManager design tree, and
select Properties.
Select Suppressed, and click OK.
To unsuppress the mate, repeat the
process, and clear the Suppressed
check box.
You can also select one or more mates
and click Suppress (or Unsuppress )
on the Features toolbar, or click Edit,
Suppress (or Unsuppress), This
Configuration.
To suppress a mate for one or more
configurations:
Select one or more mates and click Edit,
Suppress (or Unsuppress), Specified
Configurations (or All Configurations). If
you select Specified Configurations, a
dialog box appears.
Select the configurations you want to
change from the list, and click OK.
14. Add the Coupling
Use Insert Component to add the
Coupling component
15. Concentric mate for Coupling
Add a mate between the Coupling and
the Main Body. Add a Concentric mate
between the two cylindrical faces.
16. Repeating the step
[15]
Add a mate between the
Coupling and the Main
Body. Add a Concentric
mate between the two
cylindrical faces inside of
one of the small hole for
both components.
17. Using Distance mate
Add a mate between the top face of Main
Body and the bottom face of Coupling as
indicated. Use a Distance mate and key-in
100.00mm as the distance.
 18. Mates by component
Expand the Coupling component in
the
FeatureManager. A folder named
Mates in *Assem2 is added to each
component that is mated. The
folder contains the mates which use
geometry of that
component.The folder is a subset of
the Mates folder which contains all
mates.
•name of the saved Assembly
 Displaying Part Configurations in an
Assembly
When you add a part to an assembly you can choose which of its configurations
will be displayed.

Or, once the part is inserted and mated, you can switch its configuration.
The part named Adjustable rod have two configurations: SHORT and LONG. Any
configuration can be used in the assembly. In this case, two instances will use
SHORT and one will use LONG.

Long Short
Using Part Configurations Drag and Drop from an
in Assemblies Open Document

Multiple instances of the The Adjustable rod will be

same part can be used in an inserted by dragging it in
assembly, with each from an open document
instance referencing a window into the assembly.
different configuration. We
will use multiple instances
of a part with different
configurations in this
assembly.
 19. Drag and drop
Open the part Adjustable rod and tile the windows of the assembly and part. Drag
and drop the Adjustable rod (Long) into the assembly
window by dragging the top-level component from the FeatureManger. An
instance of the Adjustable rod (Long) is added to the assembly.
 20. Concentric mate
Add a Concentric mate between the
cylindrical face in the Coupling and
Adjustable rod. The Adjustable rod can
be dragged while using the mate
dialog. Drag it through as shown.
21. Distance mate
Add a Distance mate between
the top planar face of the
Adjustable rod and the top face
of the Coupling with 20mm.
 22. Cascade the windows
Click Window, Cascade to see both of the part and assembly windows. Switch to
the ConfigurationManager of the Adjustable rod. Drag and drop the Adjustable
rod (Short) into the graphics window of the assembly. You can drag
and drop any configuration from the ConfigurationManager, not just the active
one.
 23. Second instance
The second instance of the Adjustable rod component is added, this time using the
SHORT configuration. The component is added and it displays the proper
configuration name in the FeatureManager design tree.

24. Mate the component

Repeat the step [20] to [21] to mate the Adjustable rod (Short).
 Creating Copies of Instances
Many times parts and sub-assemblies are used more than once in an assembly. To
create multiple instances, or copies of the components, copy and paste existing
ones into the assembly.

25.Close the Pin document and maximize the

assembly window
 26. Open Explorer
Size the Explorer window so the SolidWorks is a native Windows application, it
supports standard Windows techniques like “drag and drop”. The part files can be
dragged from the Explorer window into the assembly to add them. Drag and drop
the Bolt 1 into the graphic area.
 27. Drag a copy
Create another copy of the Bolt 1 component by holding the Ctrl key while
dragging the instance from the FeatureManager design tree of the assembly. You
can also drag a copy by selecting the component in the graphics window.
 28. Complete the mating

Complete the mating by using

Concentric and Coincident mate. Add
a mate between the Bolt 1 and
Pressing part using Insert Mate.
 Component Hiding and Transparency

Hiding a component temporarily removes the

component’s graphics but leaves the component active
within the assembly. A hidden component still resides in
memory, still has its mates solved, and is still considered
in operations like mass property calculations.
Another option is to change the transparency of the
component. Selections can be made through the
component to others behind it.
 Hide Component and Show Component
Hide Component turns off the display
of a component, making it easier to
see other parts of the assembly.
When a component is hidden, its icon
in the FeatureManager design tree
appears in outline form like this :
• Right-click the component and select
Component Properties…from the
Component list. Select the Hide
Component check box.
• From the pull-down menu, choose
Edit, Hide or Edit, Show.

Show Component turns the display

back on.
•Click Hide/Show Component on
the Assembly toolbar. This acts as a
toggle. If the component if visible, it
will hide it. If the component is
hidden, it will show it.
•Right-click the component and select
Hide or Show.
 Change Transparency
•Change Transparency makes the component
transparency 75% and switches it back to 0%. Selections
pass through the transparent component unless the Shift
key is pressed during selection. The FeatureManager icon
does not change when a component is transparent.
•Click Change Transparency on the
Assembly toolbar. This acts as a toggle.
•Right-click the component and select Change
Transparency.
 29. Return to previous view
Previous view states can be
recalled using the Previous
View button on the View
toolbar. Each time you
press the button, the view
display backs up through
the display list, whether
the view state was saved or
not. Click once to return to
the previous Isometric
view.
30. Component Properties of Adjustable rod

As for the example, the

Adjustable rod will be used
for showing the
Component Properties.
Right-click on the
Adjustable rod (Short) in
the FeatureManager
design tree and select
Component Properties.
The following table outlines the properties section of the Component
Properties window. Note that the term component refers to individual
part components and sub-assemblies as well.

PROPERTY NAME DEFINITION

Model Document Path
Component visibility
Suppressing state
Displays the part file that the instance uses. To replace the file the instance
references with a different file, use File, Replace….
Hides or shows the component. Also allows you to change the color of the
component as it appears in the assembly.
Suppress, resolve or set the component to lightweight status.

Only available for sub-assemblies and contains the following two options:

Rigid: Solves the sub-assembly as a single rigid component (default setting)

Solve as
Flexible: Allows for movement of components within a sub-assembly.
Components can only move dependent on mate conditions placed on them within
the sub-assembly.

Reference configuration Determines which configuration of the component is being used.

Exclude from bill of materials Component will not appear in a BOM.

 Sub-assemblies
Existing assemblies can also be inserted into the current
assembly by dragging. When an assembly file is added to an
existing assembly, we refer to it as a sub-assembly. However,
to the SolidWorks software, it is still an assembly (*.sldasm)
file.
The sub-assembly and all its component parts are added to
the FeatureManager design tree. The sub-assembly must be
mated to the assembly by one of its component parts or its
reference planes. The sub-assembly is treated as a single piece
component, regardless of how many components are within it.
A new assembly will be created for the components of the
Handle. It will be used as a sub-assembly.
 31. New assembly 32. Add components
Using the same dialog, add the
Round handle, Connector rod and
Screw 1 component. Close the
Create a new assembly. Click Keep dialog.
Visible on the Insert Component
PropertyManager and add the Rod
handle component. Locate it at the
origin of the assembly. It is Fixed. Round handle
Name the assembly Handle Screw 1
Sub-assembly.

Rod handle

Connector rod
 Smart Mates

Mates can be added between components while dragging

and dropping them. This method, called Smart Mates,
uses the Alt key in conjunction with standard drag and
drop techniques. These mates use the same Mate Pop-up
Toolbar as the Mate tool uses to set the type and other
attributes. All mate types can be created with this
method. Certain techniques generate multiple mates and
do not use the toolbar. These require the use of the Tab
key to switch mate alignment.
 33. Smart Mate Concentric

Follow these steps to add a Concentric

mate through the Smart Mate technique:
1. Click and hold the cylindrical face of
the Connector rod.
2. Press and hold the Alt key as you drag
the component.
3. Move the component over the inside
of planar face of the Rod handle.
4. Drop the component when the
tooltip appears, indicating a
concentric mate.
5. Confirm the Concentric type from the
Mate Pop-up Toolbar.

A Concentric mate is added between the

Connector rod and the Rod handle
components.
 34. Smart Mate Parallel.

Spin or drag up and down the Connector

rod so the flat is selectable using dragging.
Select the flat and Alt+drag it to the flat
inside of the Rod handle. Drop the
component when the symbol
appears, indicating a Coincident mate
between planar faces.
Use the Mate Pop-up Toolbar to switch to
a Parallel mate.
 35. Smart Mate Coincident

Select the top planar face of the

Connector rod and Alt+drag it to the top
planar face of the Rod handle. Drop
component when the symbol appears,
indicating a Coincident mate between
planar faces.
Use the Mate Pop-up Toolbar to confirm
the Coincident type.
36. Add mate between Rod handle with Round handle

Drag the Round handle closer to the Rod handle. Add a mate between two faces as
shown in the figure by using Insert Mate or Smart Mate.

Hint: Coincident type between two planar faces

Concentric type between two cylindrical faces (both holes)
 37. Creating copies of 38. Completing mate
Screw 1
Drag a Screw 1 closer to the hole
at the Round handle. Using Insert
Create another three (3) copies of the Mate or Smart Mate, add a mate
Screw 1. between the four (4) Screw 1’s
with the four (4) holes as shown
in the following figure.
 View Mates

The View Mates tool allows you to view and edit

mates in the graphics area. All mates related to the
selected component are shown in label form. Right-
click a component in the FeatureManager or
graphics area and choose View Mates.
 39. View Mates of Rod Handle

Right-click the Rod handle and

choose View Mates. Only the
chosen component and those
components it is mated to
appear. Labels are attached to
indicate the mates and what
geometry they use.

The View Mates listing appears

in the Property Manager.
Clicking the pushpin holds the
labels on the screen until it is
removed.
 40. Pushpin 41. Save

Click the pushpin on View Mates listing

and click on the screen to remove the Save the assembly but leave it
display. open.
 View Mate Errors
Problem mates are flagged as follows:
Warning. The mate is satisfied, but involved in over defining the assembly.
Error. The mate is not satisfied.

To view problem mates:

1) Right-click any component and select View Mate Errors.
At the bottom of the left panel, the View Mate Errors PropertyManager appears and displays
a list of all problem mates in the assembly.

When you select a mate in the PropertyManager or its callout in the graphics area, the mate
geometry highlights, and components not involved in the selected mate become more
transparent.

2) Click an empty region of the graphics area to close the PropertyManager.

You can pin the View Mate Errors PropertyManager to keep it visible.
Inserting Sub-assembly 42. Select the sub-assembly

Open the Flywheel Press

Sub-assemblies are assembly window, click Insert
existing assemblies that Component, the dialog is set to
are added to the active list any open parts or assemblies
under Open documents. The
assembly. All of the Handle Sub-assembly is listed
components and mates and selected
act as a single
component.
 43. Place the sub-assembly
Place the sub-assembly near the top of the Flywheel Press component.
Expanding the sub-assembly component icon shows all the component
parts within it, including its own mate group.
Mating Sub-assemblies 44. Smart Mate Concentric

Sub-assemblies follow Add a Concentric mate, using Smart

Mate tool (Alt+drag), between the
the same rules for cylindrical face of Connector rod and
Coupling as indicated.
mating as parts. They
are considered Concentric mate

components and can be

mated using the Mate
tool, Smart Mate or a
combination of both.
 46. Select in the
45. Distance mate
FeatureManager
Add a Distance mate using Insert
Mate between the bottom Select the Handle Sub-assembly in the
planar face of Rod handle and FeatureManager design tree. All
components in the sub-assembly will be
top planar face of Coupling part.
selected and highlighted light green.
Specify 100mm for the distance.
If the Rod handle penetrates into
the Coupling, select the Flip
Dimension button.
 48. Save
47. Move the component

Handle Sub-assembly can be Save

moved by dragging the
Round handle using Move
Component .
.
 Analyzing the Assembly

There are several types of analysis that can be performed on an

assembly. These include calculating the mass properties of the
assembly and checking for interferences.
 Mass Properties Calculations

Mass properties are used to generate the mass properties of the entire
solid. The properties include mass, volume and a temporary display of
the principal axes. When working with assemblies, the important thing
to remember is that the material properties of each component are
controlled by individually via the Material feature in the part. The
material properties can also be set through Edit Material.
 49. Checking Mass Properties

By using the existing assembly,

Flywheel Press, click Mass
Properties on Tools
toolbar. The system performs the
calculations and displays the
results in a report window. Options
can be used to change the units of
the calculations.

50. Click close

 Checking for Interference
Finding interference between
static components in the
assembly is the job of
Interference Detection. This
option takes a list of component
and finds interferences between
them. The interferences are
listed by paired components
including a graphic
representation of the
interference. Individual
interferences can be ignored.
Interference Detection
Interference Detection is used
to find interference (clashes)
between component parts in an
assembly. It can be directed to
check all components in the
assembly, or just selected ones.
Click Interference Detection
on the Assembly toolbar.
From the Tools menu choose:
Interference Detection….
 51. Click Tools, 52. Interference
Interference Detection…. Detection
Select the top level component
Flywheel Press assembly to
check all the components in the
assembly. The assembly
Flywheel Press.SLDASM appears
The Interference Detection in the Selected Components list.
PropertyManager opens.
Click Calculate.
 53. Interferences
The analysis has found seven (7) interferences among the selected
entities. The listings of the interferences are shown in the Results
listing followed by a volume of interference. The interference is marked
in the graphics window using a volume displayed in red. By default, the
interfering components are transparent and the other components
remain opaque. Click OK.

Interference between Interference between Interference between Interference between

Main body and Pressing Rod handle and Rod handle and Round Adjustable rod and
part Connector rod handle Coupling
54. Edit Sketch or Feature
of the component
According to the interference,
open the part and edit the
sketch or feature to avoid the
interference.
55. Recheck the
Interferences
After modified the part that
have the interference, recheck
the interference by clicking the
Interference Detection. As
expected, No Interference is the
result.
 Changing the Values of Dimensions

Changing the value of a dimension in the assembly works exactly the

same as changing that dimension in a part: double-click the feature
and then double-click the dimension. SolidWorks uses the same part
in the assembly or the drawing, so changing it in one place changes it
in all.
The feature can be double-clicked from the FeatureManager or the
screen, but the dimension will always appear on the screen.
.
 56. Edit the Rod handle
Double-click on the graphics of the Rod handle part to access its
dimensions and then double-click on the selected dimension. In this
case, change the width from 80mm to 300mm. Click rebuild at
Toolbar to activate the changes.
57. Open Rod handle part 58. Assembly update

Right-click the Rod handle and Changes have been made to a

select Open Part from the reference of the assembly, in
shortcut menu. Changing a part this case the size of a part. Upon
at the assembly level changes it reentering the assembly,
at the part level and vice-versa. SolidWorks will ask whether you
That is because it is the same want to rebuild. Click Yes.
part, not a copy.
Change the value back to 80
mm and close the part, saving
the changes.
 Using Physical Dynamics
Physical Dynamics is a method for
visualizing assembly motion in a more
realistic way. Expanding on the
capabilities of dynamic collision
detection, Physical Dynamics lets one
object act upon another. When two
objects collide, one will move the other
according to the available degrees of
freedom. Physical Dynamics
propagates throughout the assembly.
The dragged component can push aside
a component, which then moves into
and pushes aside another component,
and so on.
On the Move Component
PropertyManager, click Physical
Dynamics.
Tips for Working with Physical Dynamics
1. There are some things you should keep
in mind when you use Physical
Dynamics.
2. Physical Dynamics depends on collision
detection. It will not work if the
assembly contains interferences. If the
item you are dragging interferences
with another component, the source of
the interference is made transparent.
Use Tools, Interference Detection to
find and eliminate interferences before
using Physical Dynamics.
3. Physical Dynamics does not work on
assemblies that have symmetry mates.
4. Physical Dynamics can be
computationally intensive. Limit the
scope by selecting components in the
Selected Items box, and then clicking
Resume Drag. Items that are not in the
list are ignored.
 Example
In the Physical Dynamics folder have some examples of Physical
Dynamics. They are illustrated in the table below.
Description Limit Mechanism Rotate the cam wheel counter-
Simulation Element
clockwise and the Y-shaped
Nested Slides As you drag the innermost slide, actuating lever oscillates back and
the next slide is contacted and forth.
pulled out as far as possible.

Clock As you drag the minute hand, the Bevel Gears Turn the handle on one gear, and
hour hand moves. the other gear rotates.

Wheel As you turn the input wheel, the Rolling Balls Drag the individual balls so they

pin engages and disengages the collide with each other.

slots in the output wheel.

 Physical Simulation
Physical Simulation allows you to
simulate the effects of motors, springs,
and gravity on your assemblies. Toolbar Options
Physical Simulation combines There are several options for creating the
simulation elements with SolidWorks simulation:
tool such as mates and Physical
Dynamics to move components around
your assembly. Use an assembly that Stop Record or Playback
has the mates to support the
Calculate Simulation
simulation effects.
Simulation Toolbar Reset Components
The commands for Physical Simulation
are located on the Simulation toolbar. Replay Simulation
The individual tools will be explained
latter in this module.
Click Simulation Toolbar on the
Assembly toolbar. Or, click View,
Toolbars and select Simulation.
 Simulation Element
There are several simulation elements that move components around in
the assembly.
Simulation Element Description

Linear Motors move components along a straight line path.

Linear Motor

Rotary Motors move components about a selected axis, but they are not
forces. Motor strength does not vary based on component size or mass.
Rotary Motor

Springs apply a force to a component. A spring with a higher spring

constant will move a component faster than a spring with a lower spring
Linear Spring constant. Also, a component with a larger mass will move faster than a
component with a larger mass if acted upon by springs of equal strength.

You can define only one gravity simulation element per assembly. All
components move at the same speed under the effect of gravity
Gravity
regardless of their mass.
 Animation Controller
The Animation Controller is invoked by the Replay
button on the Simulation toolbar.
FeatureManager Design Tree
When you add simulation elements to an
assembly, a Simulation feature is added to
the FeatureManager. If you right-click on
the Simulation feature, you can:
• Delete the Simulation feature, including
all the simulation elements.
• Delete the replay of the simulation. This
leaves the simulation elements intact.
• Reset the components to their positions
prior to the simulation.
Simulation
Example
For the example of Physical Simulation,
simulation elements in the Physical
Dynamics folder can be used. The following
is one of the simulation elements that will
show the steps for making the Physical
Simulation.
You can try for the others simulation
elements by using the suitable simulation.
60. Open Nested Slides 62. Simulation folder
Open Nested Slides in Physical Dynamics When the Linear Motor is added, a new
folder. Simulation folder is added to hold it.

61. Add a Linear Motor

Click Linear Motor and select the front face
63. Calculate the simulation
of the top slider as the Direction of the
Click Calculate Simulation
motor.
on the Simulation toolbar. The simulation
The front face
will be recorded and the movements of the
Clicking the Numeric option allows you to
parts are determined by the mates on the
set a real value for the velocity in the
components and collisions with other
current units.
components.

The front face

64. Stop recording
Click Stop Record or Playback
66. Save and close
on the Simulation toolbar.

65. Play the simulation

Click Replay Simulation
on the Simulation toolbar to access the
Animation Controller. Use any of the
controller options to speed up, slow down,
loop or reciprocate the playback.
 Exploded Assemblies
For manufacturing purposes, it is often
useful to separate the components of an
assembly to visually analyze their
relationships. Exploding the view of an
assembly allows you to look at it with the
components separated. While an assembly
is exploded, you cannot add mates to the
assembly.

An exploded view consists of one or more

exploded steps. An exploded view is stored
with the assembly configuration with which
it is created. Each configuration can have
one exploded view.

In SolidWorks, you can configure assemblies

into exploded views, and you can include
explode lines. When you insert assemblies
into drawing views, you can specify that the
exploded configurations be shown.
 Creating and Editing Exploded Views

You create exploded views by selecting and dragging parts in the

graphics area. In exploded views you can:

• Evenly space exploded stacks of components (hardware, washers,

and so on) automatically.
• Attach a new component to the existing explode steps of another
component. This is useful if you add a new part to an assembly that
already has an exploded view.
• If a sub-assembly has an exploded view, reuse that view in a higher-
level assembly.
1. Open an assembly
Open the assembly Launcher.sldasm located Type the name Exploded and add the
in the Exploded View folder. configuration.

2. Add a new configuration

Switch to the ConfigurationManager, right-
click and select Add Configuration. The new configuration is the active one.
 Introducing: Exploded View

Exploded View is used to move one or more components along an

arm of the Move Manipulator or triad. Each move direction and
distance is stored as a step.
From the Insert menu, pick Exploded View.. or click Exploded View
on the Assembly toolbar.
3. Click Exploded View .
The Exploded View dialog box appears.

Explode Steps allows for individual

movement of each component.
The Setting group box lists the components
exploded in the current step along with
direction and distance.
The Options group box includes the
automation Auto-space and sub-assembly
options.

Exploding a Single Component

One or more components can be moved in
one or more directions. Each movement
(one or more components) set by a distance
and direction is considered one step.
4. Select component
Select the Arrow <3> component on the
screen. A Move Manipulator appears at the
center of the component bounding box. The
Move Manipulator is aligned with the x leg
along the length of the cylindrical face.
5. Drag explode
Explode the component by dragging the red
leg away from the assembly. The Explode
Step 1 feature is added. The component is
listed beneath it. Click off the component to
complete the step.

Multiple Component Explode

Multiple components can be exploded along the same path or multiple paths. For multiple
component selections, the last component selected determines the orientation of the Move
Manipulator.
6. Selection
7. Paths
Select both Nozzle and Arrow components.
Move the components along the red leg as
Selecting the Arrow component last
shown.
produces the move manipulator shown.
Repeat step [6] and re-select the same
Making a multiple component selection can
components and add another step.
be made by clicking each one or using a
Add another step for just the Arrow
drag-select window.
components.
 Sub-assembly Component Explode

Sub-assemblies can be treated in several ways. As single components,

they can be moved as one. As individual components, each can be
moved independently. If an exploded view of that sub-assembly
already exists, it can be added to the current exploded view.
8. Sub-assembly as component
Select the upper SUB_trigger component
and move it with two steps as shown.
Auto-spacing
The Auto-space components after drag
option are used to spread a series of
components along a single axial step. The
spacing can be set with a slider and
changed after creation.
The Select sub-assembly’s parts option
treats each sub-assembly component as an
individual component.
9. Auto-space
Click Select sub-assembly’s parts and Auto-
space components after drag. Select the
three components of the sub-assembly
individually. Drag along the red leg and drop
to space the components. A Chain step is
added.
Reusing Explodes
Exploded views created within sub-
assemblies can be imported and reused.
10. Move sub-assembly
Clear the Select sub-assembly’s parts and
Auto-space components after drag options.
Drag the lower SUB-trigger sub-assembly as
shown.
11. Reuse sub-assembly explode
Select the sub-assembly and click Reuse
sub-assembly explode.
 Explode Line Sketch
Create lines as paths for the exploded view using Explode Lines. A
type of 3D sketch called an Explode Line Sketch is used to create and
display the lines. The Explode Line Sketch and Jog Line tools can be
used to create and modify the lines.

Explode Lines can be added to the explode line sketch to represent

the explode path of the components.
Introducing: Explode Line Sketch

An Explode Line Sketch allows you to semi-automatically create

explode lines. To do this, you select model geometry such as faces,
edges, or vertices, and the system generates the explode lines.
On the Insert menu, click Explode Line Sketch. Or click Explode Line
Sketch on the Assembly toolbar.
12. Route line
Click Explode Line Sketch to start the 3D
sketch. Select the arc and circle edges as
shown to create a route line between them.
Various combinations of the Options can be
used to get different results.
Click OK.
Selected arc and circle
13. Explode through component
Select (in order) the circular edge of the
Main Body <1>, the cylindrical face of the
Nozzle <1> and the circular edge of the
Arrow <1>. A continuous series of explode
lines is created.
Select these
14. Additional lines
Add sets of explode lines to connect all the remaining components.
Animating Exploded Views 15. Animation toolbar
The Animation Controller can be used to Right-click on ExplView1 and choose
animate the exploded or collapse motion. Animate Collapse.
Right-click Animate Collapse from the
ExplodeView1 feature. If the exploded view
is collapsed, right-click Animate Explode
from the ExplodeView1 feature.

16. Save and close

Collapse the assembly. Save and close the
assembly.
Exercise 1
Create this assembly by adding components to a new
assembly and using Insert Mate.
This exercise uses the following skills:
Creating a New Assembly, Adding Components, Mating Components, Units: mm
The design intent for this part is as follows:
1). Files are found in the ‘Mates folder’. 2). Component parts are mated as shown in the
details. 3). Two instances of the Brace and EndConnect are required. 4). Each Brace
component is centered on the hole in the EndConnect component.

Brace

RectPlate

EndConnect

Tips: Mates between planes can be used to center components. Use the following graphics
along with the design intent to determine the shape and relationships within the assembly.
Exercise 2

By using the previous assemblies, Handle Sub-assembly

Flywheel Press assembly, create
the Exploded View in whatever
method that you have been
learned. The following figure is the
Flywheel Press assembly as the
guidelines. Good luck Coupling

Adjustable rod
(2 copies)
Main body

Pressing part

Bolt 1
(6 copies)