Solidworks Chapter 5

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Solidworks Chapter 5

Learning Objectives
• Create reference plane.
• Create reference axis.
• Create reference points.
• Create reference coordinate system.
• Create model using other Boss/Base options.
• Create model using the contour selection technique.
• Create a cut feature.
• Create multiple disjoint bodies.

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Solidworks Chapter 5

►Importance Of The Sketching Planes

Most of the mechanical designs consist of various features like sketched features,
referenced geometries, and placed features. Sometimes to create features, an
existing plane, or a planar surface, or a new plane has to be used as a sketching
plane to create the sketch. Consider the model shown in Figure A, which is created
using various features. The base feature of this model is shown in Figure B. It is
evident from Figure C that the features added to the base feature are not created on
the same plane on which the sketch for the base feature is created.

Figure A A multifeatured Figure B Base feature for Figure C Model after

model the model adding other features

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►Reference Geometry
The reference geometry features are the features that consist of no mass and no volume.
These are available only to assist in the creation of the models. They act as a reference
for drawing the sketches for features, defining the sketch plane, assembling the
components, references for various features, and so on. Reference geometry exists as
reference planes or planes, reference axis, and reference coordinate system.

• Reference Planes
Either the default planes or a new plane can be used as a sketching plane.

• Default Planes
• Front plane • Top plane
• Right plane

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• Creating New Planes

Choose the Plane button from the Reference
Geometry CommandManager to invoke the Plane
PropertyManager. The Plane PropertyManager is
displayed in Figure A. Various options available in the
Plane PropertyManager to create new planes are:

• Creating a Plane Using Through Lines/Points

a)

Figure A Plane
PropertyManager
Selecting the edge Resultant plane
and vertex

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b)

Selecting the vertices Resultant plane

• Creating a Plane Parallel to an Existing Plane or Planar Face and
Passing Through a Point

Selecting the planar

Resultant plane
face and edge

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• Creating a Plane at an Angle to an Existing Plane or a Planar Face

To create a plane at an angle, choose
the At Angle button from the Plane
PropertyManager as shown in
Figure A.

Figure A Plane PropertyManager

with At Angle option selected

Selecting the edge and planar face Resultant plane

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• Creating a Plane at Some

Offset From an Existing
Plane or a Planar Face

Selecting the plane Resultant plane

• Creating a Plane
Normal to Curve

Edge to be selected

Resultant plane

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• Creating a Plane On Surface

References to be selected Resultant plane

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• Creating Reference Axis

Reference axis are the parametric lines passing through
a model, feature, or reference entity. Invoke the
Reference Axis dialog box using the Axis button from
the Reference Geometry toolbar, see Figure A. The
various options available in this dialog box are:
• Creating a Reference Axis Using One Line/Edge/Axis

Figure A The Axis

PropertyManager

Line to be selected Resultant reference

axis

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• Creating a Reference
Axis Using Two Planes

Line to be selected Resultant reference axis

• Creating a Reference
Axis Using Two Points
or Vertices

Vertices to be selected Resultant reference axis

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• Creating a Reference
Axis Using Cylindrical
or a Conical Surface

Cylindrical surface Resultant

to be selected reference axis

• Creating a Reference
Axis on a Surface
Passing Through a
Point

Point and Surface Resultant

to be selected reference axis

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• Creating Reference Points

Reference points are also created to assist you in
designing. They work as an aid for creating another
reference geometry or feature. To create a reference point,
choose the Point button from the Reference Geometry
CommandManager. The Point PropertyManager is
displayed, as shown in Figure A.
This PropertyManager
allows you to use five
methods of creating reference
Figure A The Point
points. These methods are PropertyManager
• Creating a Reference
Point at the Center of an
Arc or a Curved Edge

Reference point at the

center of a curved edge

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• Creating a Reference Point at the Center of a Face

• Creating a Reference Point at the Intersection of Two Edges,
Sketched Segments, or Reference Axes
• Creating a Reference Point by Projecting an Existing Point
• Creating Single or Multiple Reference Points Along the Distance of a
Sketched Curve or an Edge
• Enter the distance/percentage value according to distance
• Distance
• Percentage
• Evenly Distribute
• Enter number of reference points to be created along the selected entity

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• Creating Reference Coordinate System

To create a user-defined coordinate system, choose
the Coordinate System button from the Reference
Geometry CommandManager. The Coordinate
System PropertyManager is displayed, as shown in
Figure A.
To create a new coordinate system, you need to
select a point that will be selected as the origin for
the new coordinate and then define the directions of
the X and Y, Y and Z, or Z and X axes. This is the
reason when you invoke the Coordinate System
PropertyManager, the Origin selection area is
Figure A Coordinate
highlighted. After selecting the origin, you can define System PropertyManager
the direction of any two axes. The direction of the
third axis will be automatically determined. You can
select edges, points, or reference axes to define
these directions.

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►Other Boss/Base Options

Some of the boss/base extrusion options were discussed in previous chapters. The
remaining boss/base extrusion option are:

• End Condition
The various options available in the End Condition drop-down list are:
• Through All • Up To Next

A sketch extruded using Through All option A sketch extruded using Up To Next option

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• Up To Vertex • Up To Surface

A sketch extruded using Up To Vertex option A sketch extruded using Up To Surface option

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• Offset From Surface • Up To Body

A sketch extruded using Up To Body option

Sketch extruded using Sketch extruded using

Offset From Surface Offset From Surface
option with Translate option with Translate
surface check box surface check box
cleared selected

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• Direction of Extrusion
From this release onwards, you can also define the direction of extrusion using a
sketched line, an edge, or a reference axis. Note that the entity that you want to use for
defining the direction of extrusion should not be drawn on the sketch plane parallel to
the plane on which the sketch to be extruded is drawn.
To define the direction of extrusion, click in the Direction of Extrusion selection box in
the Direction 1 area of the Extrude PropertyManager. Next, select an edge, a
sketched line segment, or an axis. Figure A shows a sketch drawn on the top face of a
rectangular block and a line sketched on the left face of the block to define the direction
of extrusion. Figure B shows the resultant extruded feature.

Figure A Figure B

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► Modeling Using the Contour Selection Method

Modeling using the contour selection method allows to use the partial sketches for
creating the features. To understand this concept, consider the example shown
below

Aim: To create a Multi-featured solid model

Sketch for the Final model

solid model
Contour selection Isometric view Contour selection
for 1st extrusion after 1 extrusion
st for 2nd extrusion

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One of the latest enhancements in SolidWorks 2004 is its ability to allow you to
select the model edges as a part of the contour. For example, consider Figure A.
This figure shows a line drawn on the top face of a rectangular block. You can use
the edges of the top face of the rectangular block that form a contour with the line as
a sketch to be extruded, see Figure B. Figure C shows the resultant extruded
feature.

Figure A Line drawn on the Figure B Selecting the Figure C Extruded feature
top face of a rectangular contour formed by the line created using the model
model and the model edges edges as a part of the contour

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►Creating Cut Features

The cut is a material removal process. The cut feature can be created only if a base
feature exists. The cut operation using the extrude and revolve features is:
• Creating Extruded Cuts
To create an extruded cut feature, create a sketch for the cut
feature and then choose the Extruded Cut button from the
Features CommandManager. The Cut-Extrude
PropertyManager is displayed, as shown in Figure A.

Figure B shows the preview

of the cut feature. Figure C
shows the model after
adding the cut feature. Figure A Cut-Extrude
PropertyManager

Figure B Figure C

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The various options available in the Cut-Extrude PropertyManager are:

• Direction 1
The Direction 1 rollout is used to define the termination of the extrude
in the first direction.The various options available are:
• End Condition • Thin Feature
• Flip Side to Cut • Draft On/Off

Cut feature with Cut feature with Cut feature with Draft Cut feature with Draft
Flip side to cut Flip side to cut outward check box outward check box
check box cleared check box selected cleared selected

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• Handling Multiple Bodies in Cut Feature

Figure A shows a sketch created to create a cut feature.
Figure B shows the cut feature created with the end
condition as Through All. As multiple bodies are
created, the Bodies to Keep dialog box is displayed, see
Figure C. As selection is made for the Selected bodies
radio button, a selection and display area will be
displayed as shown in Figure D.
Figure C

Figure D

Figure A Figure B

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You can select the check box provided on the left of the name of the body to keep that
body. The selected body is displayed in green in temporary graphics. Select the bodies
to keep and choose the OK button from the Bodies to Keep dialog box. Figure E
shows a sketch created for the cut feature. Figure F shows the cut feature created
using the thin option and the All bodies option selected from the Bodies to Keep
dialog box.

Figure E Sketch to create a cut Figure F A thin cut feature created

feature using the thin option with all the resultant bodies retained

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• Creating Revolved Cuts

Revolved cuts are used to remove the material by
revolving a sketch around a selected axis. When you
invoke the Revolved Cut tool, the Cut-Revolve
PropertyManager is displayed, as shown in Figure A.
Figure B shows a sketch for a revolved cut feature and
Figure C shows the resultant cut feature. Note that in
Figure C, a texture is applied to the cut feature.

Figure A Cut-Revolve
PropertyManager

Figure B Sketch for the Figure C Resultant cut

revolved cut feature feature with a texture

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►Concept Of The Feature Scope

After creating two or more than two disjoint bodies, when creating another feature, a
Feature Scope rollout is displayed in the PropertyManager. This rollout is used to define
the bodies that will be affected by the creation of the feature. The feature scope option is
used with the following features:

• Extrude boss and cut • Boss cut and thicken

• Revolve boss and cut • Surface cut
• Sweep boss and cut • Cavity
• Loft boss and cut

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Solidworks Chapter 5

Tutorial 1
In this tutorial you will create the model shown in Figure A. You will create the model by
drawing the sketch of the front view of the model and then select the contours to extrude
them. As a result, in this tutorial you will learn the procedure of modeling using the
contours selection method. The dimensions of the model are shown in Figure B.
(Expected time: 30 min)

Figure A Solid model for

Tutorial 1 Figure B Dimension and views for Tutorial 1

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1. Start SolidWorks and start a new part document. Invoke the

sketcher environment. Draw the sketch of the front view of the
model using the automatic mirroring option to capture the design
intent of the model. Add the required relations and dimensions to
the sketch as shown in Figure C.
2. Use the contour selection method to create the model. Select
one of the contours from the given sketch and extrude it, see
Figure D and E shown below.
Figure C Fully defined
sketch for creating the
model

Figure D Lower Figure E Base feature of

rectangle selected the model

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3. Select the middle contour, see Figure F. 4. Invoke the Contour Select tool and
Now, extrude the selected contour using select the right and left contours, see
the Extrude Boss/Base tool as shown in Figure H and extrude the selected
Figure G. contours using the Extrude
Boss/Base tool. The final model is
shown in Figure I.

Figure F Middle Figure G Second

contour is selected feature is created Figure H Right Figure I Final
and left contours model of Tutorial 1
are selected

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5. The FeatureManager Design Tree of the model is shown in

Figure J.

6. Choose the Save button from the Standard toolbar and save the
model with the name given below.
\My Documents\SolidWorks\c05\c05-tut01.sldprt
7. Choose File > Close from the menu bar to close the document.
Figure J The
FeatureManager
Design Tree

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Tutorial 2
In this tutorial you will create a model for which the dimensions are shown in Figure A.
You will use a combination of the conventional modeling method and the contour selection
method to create this model. The solid model is shown in Figure B.
(Expected time: 30 min)

Figure A Solid model for

Figure B Dimensions and views for Tutorial 2
Tutorial 2

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1. Start SolidWorks and start a new part document. Draw

the sketch and add the required relations and dimensions
to the sketch as shown in Figure C.
2. Use the contour selection method to create the model.
Select one of the contours from the given sketch and
extrude it, see Figure D and E.

Figure C Fully defined sketch

Figure D Lower rectangle Figure E Base feature

selected as contour of the model

Noordin Asimi
UDM – Kampus KUSZA
www.kelip.udm.edu.my 33
Solidworks Chapter 5

3. Select the remaining contours and 4. Create the recess provided at the base
extrude the selected contours using the of the model by extruding a sketch
Extrude Boss/Base tool as shown in using the cut option created at the right
Figure F. planar face of the model, see Figure G
and Figure H.

Figure G Sketch for Figure H Cut

Figure F Model created cut feature feature added to the
after extruding the contours
model

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5. Use the Linear Sketch Step and Repeat 6. The FeatureManager Design
option to create the circles. After that use Tree of the model is shown in
the cut option to complete the hole Figure K.
feature, see Figure I and Figure J.

Figure I Holes sketched Figure J Final solid

for cut feature model of Tutorial 2 Figure K The FeatureManager
Design Tree

7. Save the document as /My Documents/SolidWorks/c05/c05-tut02.sldprt. Close the file by

choosing File > Close from the menu bar.

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Tutorial 3
In this tutorial, you will create the model whose dimensions are shown in Figure A. The
solid model is shown in Figure B. (Expected time: 30 min)

Figure A Solid model for Figure B Dimensions and views for

Tutorial 3 Tutorial 3

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1. Start SolidWorks and start a

new part document. Invoke the
sketcher environment. Draw the
sketch and add the required
relations and dimensions to the
sketch as shown in Figure C.
Extrude the sketch using the
Extrude Boss/Base tool, see Figure C Sketch for base Figure D Base feature
Figure D. feature

2. Select the upper curved face of the existing

feature. Move the cursor close to the midpoint
of the curved edge of the upper curved face.
The point is highlighted in red, see Figure E.
Select this point. Choose OK to create the
reference plane.
Figure E Sketch for base
feature

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3. Create a sketch on the top

plane and then create a cut
feature using that sketch,
see Figure D for the sketch
and Figure E for the model
after cut feature.

Figure D Sketch for cut feature Figure E Cut feature added

to the base feature

4. After creating the base of the model you will create a plane at an offset of 150 mm from
the Top plane. This newly created plane will be used as a sketching plane for the next
feature.

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5. The sketch of the next feature

is created on the newly
created plane and the sketch
is extruded up to a selected
surface, see Figure F for the
sketch and Figure G for the
model after extruded feature.
Figure F Sketch created on Figure G Sketch extruded
the newly created plane up to a selected surface

6. Create the counterbore hole

by revolving a sketch created
on the front plane using the
cut option. The sketch is
shown in Figure H. Figure I
shows the model after cut
feature is added to the model.
Figure H Fully defined Figure I Cut feature
sketch for counterbore added

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7. Create the holes using the cut feature to 8. The FeatureManager Design
complete the model. The sketch for the cut Tree of the model is shown in
feature is shown in Figure J and Figure K Figure L.
shows the final model.

Figure J Fully define Figure K Final model Figure L The FeatureManager

sketch for the cut feature Design Tree

9. Save the document as /My Documents/SolidWorks/c05/c05-tut03.sldprt. Close the file by

choosing File > Close from the menu bar.

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♦ Exercise 1
Create the model shown in Figure A. The dimensions of the model are given in Figure B.
(Expected time: 30
min)

Figure A Solid Model for

Exercise 1
Figure B Dimensions of the model

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♦ Exercise 2
Create the model shown in Figure A. The dimensions of the model are given in Figure B.
(Expected time: 30 min)

Figure A Solid Model for

Exercise 2
Figure B Dimensions for Exercise 2

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