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SolidWorks Basics 2023
SolidWorks Basics 2023
SIKORA
Course Description:
SolidWorks Basics
3 credit hours
Exploration of the theory and application of solid modeling techniques for
product design and manufacturing. Prerequisite: Intro to Engineering Drawings
101 or consent of instructor.
(1 lecture hours, 3 lab hours)
Course Objectives:
Provide the student with the knowledge and practical experience in the areas of
3D CAD modeling of parts, assemblies, and the creation of mechanical drawings
from the models.
Textbook
SolidWorks Basics free/pdf. and videos provided on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/vertanux1
Or simply search the exercise number (example: E5 SolidWorks)
Evaluation Scale:
A 90% to 100%
B 80% to 89%
C 70% to 79%
D 60% to 69%
F Below 60%
Points:
Exercises 300 pts
Mid Term 300 pts
Final 300 pts
Participation/Attendance 100 pts
Total 1000 pts
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General Course Outline
Recommended Hardware
Flash Drive (>8 GB)
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STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
We welcome students with disabilities and are committed to supporting them as
they attend college. If a student has a disability (visual, aural, speech,
emotional/psychiatric, orthopedic, health, or learning), s/he may be entitled to
some accommodation, service, or support. While the College will not compromise
or waive essential skill requirements in any course or degree, students with
disabilities may be supported with accommodations to help meet these
requirements.
The laws in effect at college level state that a person does not have to reveal a
disability, but if support is needed, documentation of the disability must be
provided. If none is provided, the college does not have to make any exceptions
to standard procedures.
All students are expected to comply with the Student Code of Conduct and all
other college procedures as stated in the current College Catalog.
CLASSROOM PROCEDURES:
1. Attendance of each scheduled class meeting is required unless otherwise
specified by the instructor.
2. Daily work problems and hand-outs will be maintained in a notebook and
turned in upon the instructor’s request.
3. Reading assignments will be made prior to discussing the material.
4. Keep your drafting workstation clean and free of miscellaneous materials.
5. Please report any malfunctioning equipment to the instructor.
LABORATORY UTILIZATION:
1. Regular daytime hours. The room is open for your use starting at 9:00AM
daily. Even though classes are being held, you are encouraged to find an open
area and work in the laboratory.
2. There are evening classes, but you may use the lab up to 10:00PM.
3. On weekends, the lab will be available on Saturdays from 9:00AM to 4:00PM.
The lab will be closed on Sundays.
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INSTRUCTOR’S RESPONSIBILITY:
1. Present material in a manner that can be understood by each student.
2. Respect each student as an individual, to be of assistance in any way possible,
and to help solve problems, but not to solve problems for the student.
3. Keep records of your progress and to summarize your learning experiences
with a final
Each instructor has the option of taking attendance for his/her personal use. If a
student misses class because of illness, a field trip, or any other AUTHORIZED
reason, the student is obligated to determine what was missed, and will be held
responsible for that work. If a student is absent without an excused absence,
he/she will also be held responsible, and must obtain all information from some
source other than the class instructor. Instructors DO NOT have to accept any
make-up work, do individual tutoring, or make special test arrangements for any
UNEXCUSED ABSENCE.
Instructors reserve the right to change a grade after the end of the semester if
there is evidence to warrants.
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Exercises
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E7 Basic Modeling 5 Tutorial 34:10
o
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CAD 120 TOTALS (E – Exercise, L-Lab, Q-Quiz)
E1 - 10pts
o L1 – 5pts
o L1b – 5pts
E2 – 30pts
o L2 – 5pts
Q1 - 10pts
E3 – 30pts
o L3 - 5pts
o L3b – 5pts
E4– 30pts
o L4 – 5pts
E5– 30pts
o L5b - 10pts
E6– 30pts
o L6 - 10pts
E7– 30pts
o L7 - 5pts
E8– 30pts
o L8 – 5pts
E9– 30pts
o L10 – 5pts
E10– 30pts
o L11 – 5pts
o L11c - 5pts
E11– 30pts
o L11d – 5pts
MIDTERM – 300pts
FINAL – 300pts
TOTAL - 1000pts
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CAD 120 - COURSE MATERIALS and FILE CONTENTS
Every student is provided with a Training Manual.doc, Lecture Videos, and Sample Files.
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Introduction to SolidWorks
Task Pane
Pull-down menus
Icons –
Ribbon
Bar
Feature Manager
View port
Mouse Buttons
Left Button - Most commonly used for selecting objects on the screen or
sketching.
Right Button – Used for activating pop-up menu items, typically used when
editing.
Center Button – (option) Used for model Rotation, Pan when holding Ctrl key,
and Zoom when holding Shift key.
Center Scroll Wheel – (option) same as Center Button when depressed, only it
activates Zoom feature when scrolling wheel.
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Options menu “The heart of SolidWorks”…
Selecting the Grid Icon opens the Options Menu or the Tools/Options pull
down can be used.
System Options – (Global Settings) are setting that affect all documents.
Document Options – (Individual Settings) are setting that adjust only the
currently active document.
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Sketching Polygon Trim
Rectangle Spline Mirror Pattern/Array
Point
Circle Ellipse Offset
Start Sketch
Fillet Text
Dim
Arcs Convert
3 Point Entities
Line Tangent (Projection)
Centerpoint
NOTE: If you do not see all of these icons on your interface you can customize the toolbars to
bring them up. Right mouse button click on the top grey frame of the window and locate the
“customize” option.
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To start a sketch Pre-select the plane or face you desire to sketch on and then select the
Sketch Icon. NOTE: You can select the planes from the “Feature Manager”.
Special Note: You can identify what plane you are sketching on by the X and Y arrows displayed on the red
origin.
Not Normal To
Normal
“Bad”
To
“Good”
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Here is an example of
adding a relationship
between two geometric
entities.
By selecting both
entities SolidWorks will
automatically activate
the properties menu on
the right side of the
screen enabling the user
to input the desired
relation.
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Cautious sketching can save time
Here are some tips to avoid modeling errors.
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There are 3 primary file types in SolidWorks, which include…
1. Part (.sldprt)
Single part or volume.
2. Assembly (.sldasm)
Multiple parts in one file assembled.
3. Drawing (.slddrw)
The 2D layout containing views, dimensions, and annotations.
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Sketch Relations
SKETCH COLORS
Dimension
BLUE - Under
Defined
BLACK – Fully
Defined
YELLOW – Over
Defined
Start a
new
sketch
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Solid Modeling Basics
Layer Cake method
Ingredients:
Profile
Revolve method
Ingredients:
Profile
Center Line (Note: The profile cannot cross over the center line!)
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EXERCISE 1
Introduction to basic part modeling
Objective:
Create a
solid
model.
4. Select the
Rectangle tool.
3. Select the
Sketch icon.
2. Select the
“Front” plane.
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7. Select Boss
Extrude.
8. Set to Blind
@ .5”.
9. Hit “Enter”
two times or
the green
check mark to
finish.
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Toggle views using
the “View
Orientation” toolbar
or
Fast Key: Spacebar
11. Go to the
Features tab,
and then select
“Extrude Boss.
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1. Select this face
and start a sketch.
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3. Using “Smart
Dimension” add
the shown
dimensions.
4. Select the
Extrude Cut
icon.
5. Select the
“Through All”
option.
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Update or Regenerate model
changes using the “Rebuild”
button. Although it is
unnecessary in this instance
it is still a very important
tool. It will update only
dimensional or feature
changes made to the model.
Fast Key: Ctrl Q
Ctrl-Q is a forced complete
rebuild of the model tree.
FINISHED
NOTE: Patterns/Arrays and Mirroring will be covered in the next three chapters.
Please try to model LAB 1 without using them. It’s good practice to just
dimension and sketch all geometry when first starting out learning this software.
Please understand that I don’t want to overwhelm you with too much information
the first day. It is my goal to help you succeed, not to fail.
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EXERCISE 2
Revolved Features
Tips…
Profile
Centerline, Edge, or
Axis of Revolution
The profile should never cross over the centerline, nor should there be profiles on
both sides of the centerline. Note: Since SolidWorks 2004 Centerlines are not
always necessary if there is an available sketch edge which can be used as an
axis of revolution.
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1. Create a new part file (E2) and then start a sketch on the “Front” plane.
2. Sketch the following. Ctrl select the profile and the horizontal centerline,
then using the “Mirror” tool to create a ¼ of the geometry and then mirror it
to the other side. Make sure you finish adding the dimensions.
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3. Select the Revolve feature icon. Then select the axis/centerline.
4. Select the top and bottom faces and add a .100” fillet.
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EXERCISE 3
Secondary Feature Modeling
Mid-Plane
1”
7 degrees
3. Select the front face of the model and start a sketch on it.
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4. Use the “Offset Entities” icon to offset sketch geometry .125” from the
outside edges. NOTE: The face or edges must be selected to see dynamic offsetting.
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6. Select the base of the pocket and start a sketch on it.
7. Go “normal to” and sketch the following. Draw 2 circles on the center points of
the outside arcs (Note: You can wake the center points up by gliding the tip of the pointer over
the edge of the arc before sketching) Use the trim tool (trim to closest check option) to
remove intersections.
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10. Select the base of the new pocket and start a sketch on it.
12. Hold the “CTRL” key and drag a plane below the “Top” plane. Release
control after you have released the mouse button. Double click on the
new plane to see dimension it has been dragged. Then double click on
the dimension to change it to 4.00”.
The “Plane”
icon can offset
as well as
several other
options for
creating
planes.
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13. Start a sketch on “Plane 1” and draw a .5” dia. circle centered on the
origin.
15. Start a sketch on the “Front” plane and sketch the following rectangle.
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16. Extrude boss using the mid-plane option and .750 thick with 7° draft.
17. Using the fillet tool select the following edges and put a .125” radius on them.
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18. Add additional fillets of .06” on the following edges.
19. Short-Cut fillet is applied by selecting the entire face of the transition.
SolidWorks then fillets any and all edges that face comes in contact with.
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EXERCISE 4
Secondary Feature Modeling
7. Base-Revolve.
One Direction
360 °
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8. Select the “Front” plane and start a sketch on it. Rebuild after completion.
9. Create a plane using the “Plane” tool located under “Reference Geometry”.
Note: The 2 ingredients for creating a plane perpendicular to a curve are the Curve and a
Point (in this case the end point of the curve). Rebuild when completed.
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10. Select the new plane and sketch the following on it. Rebuild.
11. Select the Sweep Icon. Then select the Path and Profile.
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12. Add .188” Fillets on the bottom edges of the spoke.
13. Add .25” fillets to the intersection of the Spoke and Center.
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14. Creating the Circular Pattern/Array: Go to View/and Check on Temporary
Axis. Note: This is not necessary in SolidWorks 2008 as new functionality allows you to select
the edge of the cylinder as the pattern axis.
15. Select the Circular Pattern Icon. Then select the Axis or the cylinder edge
located at the center and the Spoke. Enter 3 for the number of spokes. Note:
be sure to select the fillets as well, or they will not show up on the instances .
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11. Select the “Front” plane and start a sketch on it. Draw the following and don’t
forget the Centerline.
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17. Add .188” fillets around the intersections of the handle and spokes”.
19.
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EXERCISE 5
Bottom-Up Assembly Creation
2. Assemblies Toolbar.
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3. To insert a part into the assembly go to Insert Components.
4. Select “Browse” then search for the “Sheet Metal Bracket.sldprt” in the Exercise 5
folder provided to you. Then move the pointer to the Origin and click the LMB to
insert. NOTE: This will drop the origin of the part coincident to the assemblies’ origin
matching all planes. Notice the Part name now appears in the feature tree.
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5. Go thru the insert steps again to bring in the “Yoke Male”, drop it to the left of the
“Bracket”.
6. Select the “mate” icon and then select the side face of the boss sticking out at
the top of the Yoke. Then select the inside face of the hole on the bracket.
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Select the concentric option and apply. The part should now move into place.
7. Select the mate icon again and attach the top face of the Yoke with the underside
face of the bracket. Note: To select thru a body RMB click over the surface and select
the “Select Other” option. LMB click to toggle faces RMB to accept face.
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8. Insert the “Spider” part next and mate it between the legs on the yoke, you may
need to select flip mate alignment in order to rotate the part 180 degrees. Note:
The aligned /anti-aligned option can reverse the direction to the model face.
9. Use a concentric mate to align the center hole with the holes on the yoke.
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12. Attach the remainder of the components.
20. After completion you should be able to use the Move Component icon to
dynamically rotate the assembly.
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EXERCISE 6
Fundamental 2D Drawing Creation
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3. One method of inserting a part (E6) into a drawing is to first open the desired
part file. Next, go to the new document icon and find and click on the arrow
to its right. Select the Make Drawing form Part option.
4. Notice the options for Sheet Format/Size will pop up. Select A- Landscape
and hit OK.
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5. Inserting a View: You should now see the paper border and the “View
Palette” to the right.
6. Grab the “Front” view by moving the pointer over it and hold the left mouse
button down. Drag it onto the sheet and release the LMB. Hit “ESC”.
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7. Editing the Scale/Paper size: RMB click on the “Sheet1” tab at the bottom
left corner, and select “Properties”
8. This dialog box contains many useful options for editing the drawing. Change
the 1:2 scale to 1:3 and hit ok. Also select the “Third Angle” option.
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9. Projected (Unfolding) Views: Select the “View Layout” tab and then the
“Projected view” option. Then select the front view and move your pointer
up, LMB click, then move your pointer right and LMB click and then 45
Degrees from the front view and LMB click to get your isometric view
unfolded.
10. How to move views: Move pointer over a view border and once the border
highlights in red LMB click and hold on the border ling. Drag pointer to
desired location. Most projected views are locked into the original view they
are projected from, and their movement is limited to either horizontal or
vertical to the source view. If you wish to disconnect a view from its source
then simply RMB click on the desired view and find the “Alignment”/”Break
alignment” option to disconnect the view.
11. Model View: Can also be used to create standard views individually in a
drawing by selecting the icon.
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12. Section Views: Select the “Section View” icon and then locate the left side
quadrant edge of the top view. While a short distance away from contacting the
edge LMB click and drag a line horizontally through the entire view. (Don’t stop in
the middle).
13. Once through release the LMB and you should be able to now drag off a section
view and drop it just above the “Top” view by LMB clicking again.
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14. Detail Views: Select the “Detail View” icon. The circle tool is automatically
activated so then you can draw a circle surrounding the region you wish to
create a detail view from.
15. Move the view to the desired location and LMB click to release/drop it.
Note: the view scale can be changed by simply double clicking on the “scale” text and typing in a new
value, and the position and diameter of the circle can be changed dynamically by LMB clicking and
dragging its center or diameter.
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16. Auxiliary Views: Can be created by selecting an edge of the part and then
select the Auxiliary view icon.
17. Then drag out the view and LMB click to drop it into position.
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18. Editing the Sheet and Sheet Format: The “Sheet” is the transparent top level
containing the model views, dimension and notes. The “Sheet Format” is the
lower level that contains the border, title block, and notes.
19. RMB click on the “SHEET1” tab located at the bottom left corner of the
screen, and select “edit sheet format”.
20. Once in the sheet format you can draw lines, add or edit notes and with the
line format toolbar you can change individual line colors, styles, and
thicknesses.
Note: The line Format toolbar can be opened by RMB clicking on the top grey border of the
SolidWorks screen and locating it on the pull down list.
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21. Dimensions and Annotations: To add independent and non-parametric
dimensions you can select the “Smart Dimension” icon. Then just add
dimensions the way you would in the sketcher. Otherwise you can use the
“Model Items” option in the “Annotation” tab.
22. The “Model Items” are dimensions and annotations added to the model
during its construction by the designer. These annotations can be inserted
automatically into the drawing. These are true, editable, parametric
dimensions.
23. Try using some of the other annotations like Note, Surface Finish, Welds, and
GD&T.
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EXERCISE 7
Projected Curves and Sweeping
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28. If you rotate the view you should see 2 gray sketched on top of each other.
Our intent is to combine the profiles from both the ”Front” and “Right” views
to make 1 standalone 3 dimensional profile.
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30. You should now have a single 3 Dimensional curve.
10. Rebuild and Sweep using the curve as the Path and the circle as the Profile.
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21. Start a sketch on the “Front” plane. Draw the following.
22. Rebuild to exit the sketch. Select the end face and start a sketch. While
the end face is still highlighted green select the Convert Entities icon.
Rebuild.
Convert Entities
Creates one or more curves in a
sketch by projecting an edge, loop,
face, curve, or external sketch
contour, set of edges, or set of sketch
curves onto the sketch plane.
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23. Sweep using the new path and converted entity as the profile.
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Now using the tools you have learned over the past 5 weeks finish the remainder of the
model.
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The completed part; check to see if your feature tree looks the same as this one.
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EXERCISE 8
Lofting
Loft creates a feature by making transitions between profiles. A loft can be a base, boss,
cut, or surface.
Objective: Create
a boat hull by
lofting multiple
section profiles.
1. Create 4 planes beginning from the “Front” plane and offset from each other as
shown.
Plane 1 – 6.00”
Plane 2 – 8.00”
Plane 3 – 1.00”
2. Sketch 1 on the “Front” plane should look like this… use the Spline tool.
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3. Sketch 2 on “Plane 1” should look like this…
5. Sketch 4 on “Plane 3” should look like this… A single point at the origin.
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6. If you rotate the view it should appear like this…
7. Select the Loft icon and begin to select the top left corner of each profile.
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8. You should have ½ a boat now…
9. Use the Mirror-Body feature and select the flat side face as the plane to
mirror from.
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10. You are finished with the boat Hull.
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EXERCISE 9
Top-Down Assembly Modeling
Objective: Create
an assembly of a
pencil sharpener. If
the width is
changed all parts
must update.
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3. Save it as E9 Front and drop it on the “Front” plane. Create the following part from
the drawing.
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4. When finished select the Edit Component icon to exit part editing mode.
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6. Create the following model in the context of the assembly-using offset or convert
entities from the E9 Front model.
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INSTRUCTIONS: RECREATE THIS DRAWING
EXERCISE 10
Assembly Editing
This exercise will include both Bottom-Up and Top-Down Assembly Modeling.
1. Open the E10 assembly file and modify according to the instructions noted
on the drawing provided. You will have to mate the Battery part file.
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EXERCISE 11
Sheet Metal Design
Sheet Metal part files can be very useful for extracting a flat pattern.
Objective: Model a
sheet metal
enclosure using
Top-Down Assembly
methods, and
flatten it.
2. Open the Exercise 11.sldasm and hide the cover (RMB click on the cover and select
the Hide icon (eye glasses)).
Hem
Rip
Miter Trim
No Bends
Extend
Edge Flange Flatten
Sketch Bend
Base Flange Fold
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3. Insert a new part into the assembly; drop it on the “Front” plane of the assembly.
Name it “E11 Cover” (This will be the enclosure) then select the front outside face.
Convert Entities.
4. Extrude up to vertex.
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5. Once open the assembly should look like this. Right Mouse click on the surface of
the enclosure and select “open E12.sldprt”.
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Rotate the view to select the fourth face.
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Select the shell command. Set it to .06”, and select “Shell outward”.
7. Select the bottom face and select the “insert bends” icon.
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8. Go to the right view orientation and you should have this section view…
9. Click on the Rip parameters and select the two inside edges. Use the arrows to
control rip face direction. Hit apply.
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10. Right mouse button click on any portion of one of the slots and “select chain”. Hit
the CTRL-C buttons to copy.
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12. Return to the assembly.
14. The enclosure is now completed. Recreate the attached drawing for your Lab 11.
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L11
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L10b
EXERCISE 11B
Alternatives, using base flange sheet metal tool
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3. Use the base flange tool.
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6. Extrude cut through-all.
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7. Flatten to verify. Refold.
8. Make a drawing from the part. Bring in the “Flat-Pattern” view. Rotate 90°.
FINISHED
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EXERCISE 11C
Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) with Mastercam and SolidWorks files.
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4. Select the Machine type (AKS: Post or Postprocessor)/ Mill/ “Default”
NOTE: You can select from a number of generic posts in the “Manage List” area.
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6. Select all solids.
7. Selecting Material: Go to the Tool Settings tab and select Mill Library at the bottom and
find Aluminum 6061.
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8. Select Properties and Mill Default in the Feature tree, and select Drill.
9. Select the bottom floor surfaces for the drill. Select the green checkbox.
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10. Select the Tool option, and then select the Library Tool
11. Select a 1/2” (#6) DIA. Drill. Hit the two green check boxes.
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12. Repeat the same steps to add a ¼” DIA (#5) drill for the second hole. Hit the two green
check boxes.
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14. Select solids, and then select the floor of each pocket. Select the green check box.
15. Select Tool, Select Tool. Select the ½” FLA (FLAT) (#239). Select the green check box.
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16. Select Roughing, and Constant overlap Spiral. Hit the green check box. Set Corner
Smoothing Radius to .001
17. Select Machine Group 1 from the top of the feature tree, then select the Backplot
icon.
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18. Adjust the setting as seen below and select the Machine icon to begin the toolpath
simulation.
20. G-Code Program Output – Select Post to have Mastercam generate the program.
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Finished
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EXERCISE11D
Model the paperclip using the sweep feature. Draw the following on the “Front” plane.
Use tangent arcs.
ORIGIN
Sketch the .175 DIA. circle on the “Right” plane.
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Use Swept Boss Base
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Select Evaluate tab, SolidWorks Simulation Express
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Select Next/Next/Add Fixtures
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Select Next and Add a Force. Select the end face of the clip, Set to English IPS, 15 lbf.
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Select show von Mises Stress
Complete
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Quiz 2 Special Project
Q 2
20 Points
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