Lesson 1
Introduction
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Workbook- Use it like one (You are not going
to sell this book back)
Use Questions and Exercises at end of each
chapter to solidify your understanding
Employers look at software capabilities highly
Solid Works Certifications
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Certified Solid Works Associate (CSWA)
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http://www.solidworks.com/sw/support/796_ENU_HTML.htm
http://www.solidengineering
.co.nz/gallery_portfolio.htm
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Create it like a machinist
Create Whole
Remove parts and pieces
Assemble together pieces like welder
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Wireframe ambiguity
Points and lines only
 No surfaces
 2D trying to look 3D
 Perspective points
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Non-Realizable Object
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Surface definition
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Feature based parametric modeling
Flexible in Design
 Changes made easily with little or no cost
 Faster due to visualization
 No models or prototypes necessary
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Configuration
Marketing
Verification
Assembly
Engineering/ Design
Suppliers
Manufacturing
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The Geometric definition of the design can be
varied at any time during the design process.
A part is a sequence of engineering features,
which can be modified/ changed at any time.
Concentrate on original design intent
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Begin with simple conceptual models with minimal detail “shape before size”
Geometric relations, dimensional constraints, and relational parametric equations
can be used to capture design intent
Ability to update entire system, including parts, assemblies, and drawings after
changing one parameter in one place
Quickly explore and evaluate different design variations and alternatives to
determine best design.
Existing data can be used to create new designs
Quick design turn around.
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2 types of constraints:
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Menu Bar
Resources Icon- task pane, design library, file explorer
Start up Options- if not there click on resources icon
Task Pane- to close click in main area
Option to pin open with pin in upper corner
Tutorials
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Click on new part from either the menu bar or task pane.
Choice of part, assembly, or drawing
ALWAYS start by setting up the units you want to use under the options icon on
the menu bar
 Should be default of IPS (Inch, pounds, seconds)
 Set Precision
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Feature Manager Design
Tree
Pull down Menus
Features toolbar
Sketch Toolbar
Graphics Area
Reference Triad
Status Bar
Origin
Heads up View
Customize
Message and Status Bar
Command Manager
Banner (Toolbars in
book)
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Feature Manager- Overview of active part, drawing, or assembly
Properties Manager- opens automatically for commands, used to enter values, and
accept commands
Configuration Manager- create, select, and view multiple configurations of parts
and assemblies
DimXpert Manager- list tolerance features
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Left- used for most operations
 Select icons
 Pick graphic items
Right- bring up additional option in context menu
Middle Rotate- hold down and drag mouse
 Pan- hold down and drag mouse while holding ctrl key
 Zoom- hold down and drag mouse while holding shift key
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Esc to end a command or twice to end a
function
Help
Quick reference guide
 Tutorials
 Moving from AutoCAD
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Lab computers reset every night
Save everything to jump drive
Save only as often as you are willing to redo the work.
Don’t rely on automatic saving
BEAR STORY zip disks and final project
Parametric Modeling
Fundamentals
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ZEN approach (forget what you have learned)
Create a sketch that is proportional to the desired shape
 Concentrate on shapes and forms
Keep the sketch simple
 Leave out small features
 Fillets
 Rounds
 Chamfers
Exaggerate the geometric features of the desired shape
 If angle is 85˚ create at 60˚ so solid works doesn’t assume it is 90˚ angle
Draw the geometry so it doesn’t overlap
 Self intersecting
Form a closed region
 Act as if water was inside
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Create rough two dimensional sketch of the basic shape of the
base feature of the design
Apply/ Modify geometric relations and dimensions to the two
dimensional sketch
Extrude, revolve, or sweep the parametric two dimensional sketch
to create the base solid feature of the design
Add additional parametric features by identifying feature
relations and complete the design
Perform analyses on the computer model and refine the design as
needed.
Create the desired drawing views to document the design
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3D objects are located and defined in World Space or
Global Space
 Based on Cartesian Coordinate System
 Front Plane XY
 Top Plane XZ
 Right Plane YZ
 Cannot be changed or Manipulated
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Local Coordinate System- relative to World
Coordinate System
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Can be changed and manipulated
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Constructive Solid Geometry
F=Fit to screen
 Space bar = Orientation
 Customize Heads Up View
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 R click>select
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Rotation
 Shift 90º increments
 Arrows 15º increments
 Alt + Right= clockwise
 View>Select Edge>Left Mouse drag
Solid Works Homework Assignments
Print screen should look similar to this with your name on the top left corner
under a comment showing a timestamp of where the work was done and
when. It should be printed on a letter sized sheet of paper.