Introduction to the CAD Software
Cynthia Tuggle Thomas
Shades Valley Technical Academies
Reasons for 3-D Modeling
•
•
Reverse Engineering of Returnable and
Consumable parts to create a library of
parts
3-D Modeling software allows for
prototyping of robot designs
• Test drive designs on computer
• Identify problems with design before
construction begins
•
Create dimensioned working drawings for
robot components
• Produce accurate templates/patterns
Part, Assembly, Drawing
•Each
robot
component is
created in a part
file
•Robot components
are brought
together in
assembly files
•Drawing files
provide different
views and
dimensions of parts
or assemblies.
The Toolbar
Sketch Menu
•Line,
rectangle,
circle, arc,
etc. used to
create
2-D entities
To Create a New Sketch
•
•
•
To start a sketch with a sketch entity tool or with the Sketch
tool:
Click a sketch entity tool (line, circle, and so on) on the Sketch
toolbar - or
Click Sketch
on the Sketch toolbar, or click Insert, Sketch.
•
Select one of the three planes
(Front Plane, Top Plane, and Right Plane)
displayed.
•
In new parts, the plane rotates to the Normal to orientation.
Create a sketch with the sketch entity tool, or select a tool on
the Sketch toolbar and create a sketch.
Dimension the sketch entities. Exit the sketch, or click Extruded
Boss/Base
or Revolved Boss/Base
on the Features toolbar.
•
•
Select Plane for Sketching
Defining Sketches
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fully Defined (black) sketch entities are fully positioned by
dimensions and relations and cannot move
Dangling (brown) Sketch geometry can no longer be
resolved (a dimension to a deleted entity)
Invalid Geometry (yellow) sketch geometry would be
geometrically invalid if the sketch were solved (such as a
zero length line, zero radius arc, or self-intersecting spline).
Not solved (pink) position of one or more sketch entities
cannot be determined. The geometry, relations, and
dimensions that prevent the solution of the sketch are
displayed.
Over Defined (red) sketch geometry is in conflict with
other sketch entities, relations, or dimensions. To view and
remove conflicting relations, see Display/Delete Relations
PropertyManager.
Under Defined (blue) sketch geometry is free to move or
change its size
With the SolidWorks software, it is not necessary to fully dimension or define sketches before
you use them to create features. However, you should fully define sketches before you consider
the part complete
Sketch Relations
Relations
Horizontal
Parallel
Icons
Notes
Horizontal Line Sketched
Two lines sketched with parallel
relations
Perpendicular
Second line was sketched
perpendicular to the first
Tangent
Tangent arc added to horizontal line
Vertical
Equal
Concentric
Vertical line sketched
Equal relations
Concentric relation—circles share the
same centerpoint
Sketch Relations
Relations
Colinear
Icons
Notes
Two items lie on the same infinite line
Coincident
The point lies on the line, arc, or ellipse.
Symmetric
The items remain equidistant from the
centerline, on a line perpendicular to the
centerline.
Fix
The entity’s size and location are fixed.
However, the end points of a fixed line are
free to move along the infinite line that
underlies it. Also, the endpoints of an arc or
elliptical segment are free to move along the
underlying full circle or ellipse.
Dimensioning
•
•
•
•
Click Smart Dimension
on the
Dimensions/Relations toolbar, or click Tools,
Dimensions, Smart. The default dimension
type is Parallel.
Optionally, you can choose a different
dimension type from the shortcut menu.
Right-click the sketch, and select More
Dimensions.
As you move the pointer, the dimension
snaps to the closest orientation.
Click to place the dimension
To dimension the…
Click...
Length of a line or edge
The line
Angle between two lines
Two lines or a line and a model
edge
Distance between two lines
Two parallel lines or a line and a
parallel model edge
Perpendicular distance from a
point to a line
The point and the line or model
edge
Distance between two points
Two points
Radius of an arc
The arc
True length o f an arc
The arc then the two end points
Diameter of a circle
The circumference
•Distance when one or both entities is The centerpoint or the circumference
an arc or a circle
of the arc or circle, and the other
entity (line, edge, point, and so on).
Smart Dimension Tool
Feature Menu
•Extrude
and
Revolve tools
are used to
create solid
features.
•A feature is an
individual shape
that, combined
with other
features,
makes up a part
or assembly.
To Create an Extrude Feature
1.
2.
Create a sketch
Click one of the extrude tools:
•
•
•
3.
4.
Extrude Boss/Bass
on the Features
toolbar, or click Insert, Boss/Base, Extrude
Extrude Cut
on the features toolbar, or
click Insert, Cut, Extrude
Extruded Surface
on the Surfaces
toolbar, or click Insert, Surface, Extrude
Set the Property Manager Options
Click OK
Types of Extrudes
•Solid
or Thin
•Boss/Base
•
Cut
•
Surface
Extrude
To Create a Revolve Feature
1.
2.
•
•
•
3.
4.
Create a sketch that contains one or more
profiles and a centerline, line, or edge to
use as the axis around which the feature
revolves.
Click one of the following revolve tools:
Revolved Boss/Bass
on the Features toolbar,
or Insert, Boss/Base, Revolve
Revolved Cut
on the Features toolbar, or Insert,
Cut, Revolve
Revolved Surface
on the surfaces toolbar,
or Insert, Surface, Revolve
In the property manager set the options
Click OK
Revolve Parameters
•
•
Axis of Rotation
Select an axis around which the
feature revolves. This can be a centerline, line, or an edge,
depending on the type of revolve feature you create
Revolve Type: defines the revolve direction from the
sketch plane
• One Direction: creates the revolve in one direction from
the sketch
• Mid Plane: creates the revolve in the clockwise and
counter-clockwise directions from the sketch plane which is
located at the middle of the revolve Angle
• Two Direction: creates the revolve in the clockwise and
counter-clockwise directions from the sketch plane. Set the
Direction 1 angle and the Direction 2 Angle. The total of the
two angles cannot exceed 360 degrees
•
Angle
Defines the angle covered by the revolve.
The default angle is 360 degrees. The angle is measured
clockwise from the selected sketch
To Create a Construction Plane
•
•
Click Plane
on the Reference
Geometry toolbar, or click Insert,
Reference Geometry, Plane.
Under Selections, select the type of
plane you want to create and the items
to create the plane:
• Through Lines/Points . Create a plane
through an edge, axis, or sketch line, and a
point, or through three points.
• Parallel Plane at Point . Create a plane
through a point parallel to a plane or face.
Types of Planes
• At Angle . Create a plane through an edge, axis,
or sketch line at an angle to a face or plane.
• Offset Distance . Create a plane parallel to a
plane or face, offset by a specified distance.
This is the default plane created.
• Normal to Curve . Create a plane through a
point and perpendicular to an edge or curve.
• On Surface . Create a plane on a non-planar
face or angular surface. See Plane On Surface
Examples.
Additional Features Menu
Fillet Feature
•Select
Fillet
from Feature
Menu
•Set the radius
to 0.5 in
•Select each
edge to fillet
•Click OK
Fillet Results
Shell Feature
•Select
Shell
from Feature
Menu
•Set thickness
to 0.1 in
•Select each
Face
•Click OK
Shell Results
Creating a Hole
•Create
holes near the end of the design process
•Hole Wizard creates holes with complex profiles, such as
Counterbore or Countersunk.
•To create a simple hole:
•Select a planar face on which to create the hole.
•Click Simple Hole
or click Insert, Features, Hole,
Simple.
•In the PropertyManager, set the options.
•Click OK to create the simple hole.
•To position the hole:
•Right-click the hole feature in the model or the
FeatureManager design tree, and select Edit Sketch.
•Add dimensions to position the hole. You can also modify
the hole diameter in the sketch.
•Exit the sketch or click Rebuild .
Insert Simple Hole
1.
2.
3.
Insert simple
hole
Edit sketch to
position
Rebuild
Trim Sketch Tool
Before
After
Linear & Circular Patterns
•
•
For a Linear Pattern, select the features,
then specify the direction, the linear
spacing, and the total number of instances.
For a Circular Pattern, select the features
and an edge or axis as the center of
rotation, then specify:
• The total number of instances and the angular
spacing between instances.
– or –
• The total number of instances and the total
angle in which to create the pattern
Identify an Axis
•Must
identify an axis
about which a circular
pattern will rotate
•Select axis from the
Reference Geometry
Toolbar
•Select
Cylindrical/Conical
and highlight the
curved outside edge
Circular Pattern
•Make
sure the
correct axis is
designated
•Determine the
angle (3600 for a
full rotation)
•Indicate the
number of
instances
•Click on the part
to pattern
•Click OK
Completed Pattern
Assembly
•Click
Make Assembly from Part/Assembly
(Standard toolbar) or File, Make Assembly
from Part.
•An assembly opens with the Insert Component
PropertyManager active.
•Click in the graphics area to add the part to
the assembly.
•SolidWorks makes the first component fixed.
Types of Mates
•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.
•Other topics about mates include:
Types of Mates
Coincident : positions selected faces, edges, and planes (in
combination with each other or combined with a single
vertex) so they share the same infinite line. Positions two
vertices so they touch.
Parallel : places the selected items so they lie in the same
direction and remain a constant distance apart from each
other
Perpendicular : places the selected items at a 90 degree
angle to each other
Tangent : places the selected items in a tangent mate (at
least one selection must be a cylindrical, conical, or spherical
face)
Concentric : places the selections so that they share the
same center point
Distance : places the selected items with the specified
distance between them
Angle : places the selected items at the specified angle to
each other
Edit Feature
•If
mistakes are
made—DON’T PANIC!
•Highlight the problem
in the Feature
Manager Design Tree
•Right Click and Select
edit feature, sketch,
delete, or suppress to
make the necessary
changes
•Edit will become your
BEST FRIEND!
Tips for Fixing Solidworks Errors
•Feature
Manager
will provide history
of work
•By repairing errors
starting at the top,
you can correct the
ones that occur
below
•Avoid errors by
having all parts in
assemblies
reference only
ONE other part
Know the Signs
•Part/Assembly
has an error with a
feature or mate—look inside the
part/assembly to find the error
•This is the feature or mate with the
error
•Warning—feature has lost a reference
or is over-defined
•Indicates a warning with a feature or
sketch.
Use Suppress
•(+)
Mate is overdefined
•Use the suppress command
to suppress mates, parts,
or features, that contain
errors to see how the
model reacts
•You can also “reorder” how
the part is created
•Left click to highlight,
drag, and release to
create new order
•When troubleshooting try
to reorder first to see if
that solves the problem
Delete the Dangling
•Refer
back to the sketch to fix the relation
that has lost a reference
•Don’t delete sketch geometry—these sketches
may be referenced by other features.
•Delete RELATIONS but NOT sketch geometry
3 Cool Tools
•Repair
Sketch—can help repair geometry
•Check Sketch for Feature—can tell what is
preventing a feature from being created
•Check—(Tools) to help find problems with
solids and surfaces
Reminders from the Top 20 Lessons
Learned as a BEST Teacher
1.
Just because you can draw it on CAD
doesn't mean you can build it! Don't
underestimate the power and value of
straws, paper clips, paper, pencils,
cardboard, white glue, etc.
7.
A chassis on the ground is worth two on
the chalkboard and 10 on CAD!
Last Piece of Advice
Don’t freak out if you don’t have CAD
drawings—consider them the “eye-candy”
Looks great but not necessary to be
competitive.
Solidworks Tutorials & References
•http://www.inspirtech.com
(BEST National Sponsor)
•http://www.me.cmu.edu/academics/courses/NSF_Edu_Proj/Statics_Solidworks/layout.htm
•http://www.me.cmu.edu/academics/courses/NSF_Edu_Proj/Statics_Solidworks/PARTS1.htm
•http://www.solidsmack.com/solidworks-tips-assembly-mate-errors/2008-05-15/
•http://www.solidworkstutorials.com/
•http://www.aboutsolidworks.com/tutorials/easy_part_creation.htm
•http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Solidworks+tutorials&search_type=&aq=f