Creating a Simple
Wheel in SolidWorks
By: Nick Vilardo
Instructor: Kelsey Willems
ENGL3153
Why Learn CAD?
Since the 1990s, computer aided design
has been at the forefront of design for
companies that design mechanical
structures, machines, and assemblies.
One of these systems that pioneered this
revolution in mechanical design is
SolidWorks, created in 1995. Today,
SolidWorks is used by thousands
of companies worldwide as the method
of design. While these instructions may
benefit anyone learning this software,
they are mainly geared towards
collegiate engineering students. If you
are a SolidWorks beginner, these
instructions will be highly beneficial for
you. These instructions will take you
through the construction process of a
simple object using the SolidWorks
software. Through these instructions,
you will be creating a standard wheel
using several different features offered
by the software. By the time you
complete this SolidWorks tutorial, you
will have developed skills in using plane
sketching, dimensioning and symmetry
features, revolved extrusions, plane
sketching on an object, extruded cuts,
repeated patterns, fillets, and defining a
material for a part. Solid modeling is a
cost effective and crucial part of the
field of engineering and design in such a
way that multiple stages of the
engineering process can work with it.
A design engineer may construct the
actual model on the computer and
construct a 2D model from it, while an
analyst may take that model, given some
material specifications, and analyze
the properties of the newly constructed
part using other forms of engineering
software. CNC machinists may also use
3D models created in CAD to write code
for a CAM (computer aided
manufacturing) operation, usually done
with a CNC mill. This allows parts
created in SolidWorks to actually be
physically created with a remarkably
high level of precision. The main benefit
of using this software is being able to
virtually test and analyze parts without
actually creating them, as creating new
iterations physically would cost
exorbitant amounts of time and money.
In today’s day and age, computer aided
design is the backbone of the field of
engineering. It is crucial that every new
engineer learns and becomes proficient
at using engineering software. These
instructions will familiarize you with the
operations and features available on
SolidWorks through having you fully
construct and define a simple part.
What You Will Need
Windows OS computer
SolidWorks, preferrably 2020 or later
Mouse (strongly recommended)
Open a New Part in
SolidWorks
Upon opening Solidworks, you will be
met with a window that displays three
options. The options are to open a new
part, new assembly, or a new drawing.
You will not be able to complete the
drawing in an assembly or drawing
window.
Select the "New Part" option
Click "OK"
Figure 1
The Sketching Plane
Once the new part window has been
opened, you will see the window seen in
figure 2. To the left of the sketching area,
you will see the feature manager. Above,
you will see the command manager.
Within the feature manager you can find
the planes
Select the right plane
Figure 2
Sketching Lines
Within the command manager, you will
find a "Sketch tab"
Click on the sketch tab
Once you have clicked the sketch tab, you
will see an array of sketching options. In
the top left corner of this array you will
see the line option as well as a dropdown
menu. Within this menu, you will find the
line and centerline options.
Click on centerline
Click on origin and drag the line out
vertically. Hit ESC and do the same
horizontally
Figure 3
Now that you have created your
centerlines, you may now start sketching
the cross section for your wheel.
Referring to figure 4, create a shape
similar to the one shown.
Figure 4
Creating Symmetry
Ensuring the shape is symmetric with
respect to the vertical centerline is
crucial when creating and dimensioning
the cross section. If this isn't done, it will
me much more difficult to define the
shape.
While holding CTRL, click the
centerline and two ADJACENT
vertical lines.
Figure 5
Symmetry (cont.)
A menu will appear, click on the
symmetry option.
The symmetry option will appear as a
square split diagonally in half
Do this for each set of adjacent
vertical lines.
Smart Dimension
The smart dimension feature allows you
to define your shape. By giving each side
a specific dimension, you are creating a
rigid, definite shape that can be extruded
Select smart dimension in the
command manager.
Click on each side and give it your
desired dimension
Revolve Boss Base
Now that your shape is defined, it is time
to use an extruding feature. Within the
feature tab of the command manager, you
will find the revolve boss base tool. This
will take your cross section and revolve it
around a selected axis of rotation as a
solid shape
Select the feature tab in the
command manager
Select revolve boss base
Select the horizontal centerline as
axis of rotation
Select the green checkmark
Figure 6
Fillet Tool
The fillet tool is used to round out any
sharp edges on the part.
Select the fillet tool in the command
manager
Select the six edges shown. Hold
CTRL and left click each one to
select
Set fillet radius to 0.15in
Select the check mark to complete
You have now
completed
your wheel!
Through trial and error, I have taught
myself most of what I know about
SolidWorks. While there is always
something new to learn with this
software, these instructions should
provide some helpful guidance on how
to construct a simple revolved shape. I
have personally tested these
instructions and constructed the part
seen to the right.
P ERSONAL I TY
•
Teamwork
•
Communication
•
Design Thinking
•
Empathy
•
Technical Aptitude
BIO
“I want to develop my
Charlotte recently started as a Mechanical Engineering
student at the University of Oklahoma. She understands
the fundamentals of engineering but has little to no
experience with computer aided design software. She’s
excited to learn how to use this software to broaden her
engineering skillset, but the task of learning this
software and its many features seems daunting. Luckily,
she can
run it on her Windows computer without trouble.
skillset to be the best that it
can be”
Behavior
Finishing work on time
Outside of the classroom she is involved in the
engineering club. She has many friend in her classes as
Stu d yin g
well who are all learning how to use this new software.
Desire to learn
Going to office hours
Mo ti va tio ns
IMPACT
EXPERIENC
TEAMWORK
E ED U C
Campus involvement
ATIO N
I n fl uences
F ru s tratio ns
Goals
•
CHARLOTTE WALKER
20, Norman
Mechanical Engineering
Student
· YEAR
J UNI OR
· GPA
3.7/4.0
· ARCHETYPE
P ER FEC TI ONI ST
Become proficient at one or multiple
•
engineering software programs
•
Learn the basics of SolidWorks and
Become SolidWorks certified
into
roadblocks
learning a new skill
•
build from any skills she learns
•
Running
· FORUMS
· CLASSMATES
· CLUBS
· TECHNOLOGY
· ENGINEERING NEWS
Dealing with lazy classmates and
unhelpful instructors
•
when
· WORK ETHIC
Procrastinating
Frequently
- Youtube
sites - Canvas
- LinkedI
n
Chegg
used
PERSONALITY
•
Educating
•
Guiding
BIO
“ I want to educate my
Outside of school, Barry enjoys volunteering at outreach
“ Beh
events, attending engineering conferences, and spending
Writing Reports
Barry recently started a new job as an engineering
professor at OU. He moved over from UT and is still
•
Critical Thinking
getting used to all the changes, particularly the
•
Technical Aptitude
students and engaging with him so he can share his
•
CAD Proficient
engineering curriculum. He looks forward to meeting new
engineering and CAD expertise
students in an efficient and
effective manner.”
Guiding Students
time with his family and students.
Conducting Research
Meetings
Motivations
ENGINEERIN
EDUCATIN
G
G
TEAMWORK
STUDENTS
Grading
Influences
Frustrations
Goals
•
BARRY BENSON
Educate students on the importance of
events relating to engineering
•
Familiarize students with CAD
•
Advocates for engineering education
Engineering Professor
· SALARY
MARRIED
$150K
· ARCHETYPE
WORKAHOLI
C
Students not doing work
•
Students not paying attention in class
engineering principles using current
60, Norman, OK
· STATUS
•
and student engagement
· ENGINEERING
· STUDENTS
· COLLEAGUES
· EDUCATION
· TECHNOLOGY
· RESEARCH