Chapter 3

Extrusion

Extrude basic
Step 1: Open a sketch. For this example, let’s create a rectangle with length of 10cm and width of 5cm.
Step 2: Go to Features manager and then select Extruded Boss/Base
Step 3: Adjust the arrow to the desired thickness
Step 4: You can also type in the specific thickness at the PropertyManager.
Step 5: You can add Direction 2 is desirable by enabling it. For this example, set the thickness of direction 1 and direction 2 to 1cm.
Step 6: Click OK or press Enter to confirm the extrusion.

Editing extrudes
Step 1:Find your extrusion on the FeatureManager, right-click on it and select edit feature. It will bring you back to the PropertyManager of the extrusion.
Step 2: Now you can edit back the properties of the extrusion.
Step 3: You can do the same for the sketch. Take note that editing the sketch will also transform your extrusion.
Step 4: For this example, let’s edit the sketch by adding a semi-circle on the sketch.
Step 5: Now when you exit the sketch, your final product will look like this.

Extrude mid-plane
Step 1: Now let’s try to use Extrude mid-plane feature on our object. To do this, we need to add a new sketch on the top plane.
Step 2: Follow along the sketch shown below.
Step 3: Go to Features manager and then select Extruded Boss/Base.
Step 4: Change the extrusion for Direction 1 from blind to Mid plane.
Step 5: Change the thickness to 3cm and press Enter to confirm the extrusion.
Step 6: Now when you exit the sketch, your final product will look like this.

Draft contour
Step 1: Drafting an extrusion will add an angle to the extrusion itself.
Step 2: For this example, let’s edit back our previous mid-plane extrusion and click on the draft contour icon to add draft.
Step 3: You can choose either to draft inward or outward. For this example, we are going to set the extrusion to draft inward with a 15-degree angle.
Step 4: To complete the drafting extrusion, hit Enter on the keyboard.
Step 5: Now when you exit the sketch, your final product will look like this.

extruded cut

The Extruded Cut function in SolidWorks enables the removal of material by precisely cutting through a component using a profile drawing. Extruded cuts are advantageous for fabricating apertures, slits, or any other form that necessitates the elimination of material along a linear path. To generate an extruded cut, follow these steps:

Step 1: Start with a part that you want to remove material from. For this example, let’s just use a simple box (10cm*5cm*4cm)
Step 2: Create a sketch on a plane or face of the part. In the sketch, draw the profile that represents the shape of the cut.
Step 3: Activate the Extruded Cut tool. It can be found in the Features toolbar or the Command Manager under the Features section.
Step 4: Select the sketch profile and then specify the depth and other parameters in the Cut-Extrude PropertyManager. All the techniques that you learn from extruding can be use here.
Step 5: Press Enter to create the extruded cut. Your final product will look like the figure below.

Revolve cut

The Revolve Cut function in SolidWorks enables the removal of material by rotating a sketch profile around an axis, resulting in a cut feature. Revolve cuts are advantageous for generating features such as holes, pockets, or grooves that exhibit rotational symmetry. To generate a revolve cut, follow these steps:

Step 1: Start with a part that you want to remove material from. For this example, let’s just use a simple box (10cm*5cm*4cm)
Step 2: Create a sketch on a plane or face of the part. In the sketch, draw a closed profile that represents the shape of the cut.
Step 3: Activate the Revolve Cut tool. It can be found in the Features toolbar or the Command Manager under the Features section. Select the sketch profile.
Step 4: Specify the axis of revolution, which can be a sketch line or an edge of the part. Set the desired angle or choose a full revolution. All the knowledge about revolve can be use here.
Step 5: Press Enter to create the revolved cut. Your final product should be seen as the figure below.

sweep

Sweeping is a method used to generate a three-dimensional feature by moving a closed profile along a specified route. Here is the procedure for creating a sweep:

Step 1: You will need two separate sketches to use the sweep feature. One will be used as the path while the other one will be used as the profile. For this example, follow along with the given sketches below.
Step 2: Select the Sweep tool. It is located at the Feature toolbar or the CommandManager under the Feature section.
Step 3: Select the profile (blue) sketch and the path (pink) sketch.
Step 4: Under the Profile and Path selection, you will notice 3 icons.
Step 5: Optionally, you can specify additional options in the Sweep PropertyManager, such as twist, scaling, or guide curves.
Step 6: Press Enter to create the sweep feature. Your final product should be seen as the figure below. (choose bidirectional)

Swept cut

The Swept Cut function in SolidWorks enables the removal of material by sweeping a profile along a specified route, resulting in the creation of a cut feature. Swept cuts are advantageous for generating features with intricate geometries or non-linear trajectories. Here is the procedure for creating a sweeping cut:

Step 1: Start with a part that you want to remove material from. For this example, let’s just use a simple box (10cm*5cm*4cm)
Step 2: Create a sketch that represents the profile of the cut. This sketch can be on a plane or a face of the part.
Step 3: Create a second sketch that represents the path along which the profile will be swept.
Step 4: Activate the Swept Cut tool. It can be found in the Features toolbar or the Command Manager under the Features section. Select the sketch profile and the sweep path.
Step 5: Press Enter to create the swept cut. Your final product should be seen as the figure below.

Loft

The Loft functionality in SolidWorks enables the creation of intricate designs by seamlessly merging numerous profiles. Lofts are advantageous for facilitating seamless transitions between diverse shapes, such as generating intricate organic structures or merging various cross-sections.

Step 1: To use loft function, we need more than one parallel plane. Let’s start by adding plane into the graphics view.
Step 2: Choose one reference plane, in this example, we are going to choose the top plane.
Step 3: Click on the Reference Geometry and choose Plane to add more plane.
Step 4: Change the amount of plane that you want to add and the distance between them and then hit Enter to confirm.
Step 5: let’s add a simple circle on the top plane. Then repeat the process with the other two new planes that we added but with different size of circle.
Step 6: Activate the Loft tool. It can be found in the Features toolbar or the Command Manager under the Features section.
Step 7: Select the sketches you want to use as profiles for the loft. Specify the alignment and guide curves, if needed, to control the shape of the loft.
Step 8: Press Enter to create the lofted feature.

Fillet

In SolidWorks, the Fillet tool enables the addition of a fillet feature to specifically choose edges or faces of a component or assembly. It enhances the visual appeal of the model, minimizes abrupt angles, and replicates actual production methods that frequently involve rounding or chamfering edges. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to utilize the Fillet tool in SolidWorks:

Step 1: Start with a part that you want to fillet. For this example, let’s just use a simple box (10cm*5cm*4cm)
Step 2: Activate the Fillet tool. It can be found in the Features toolbar or the Command Manager under the Features section.
Step 3: Select the edges or faces where you want to apply the fillet. You can select multiple edges or faces at once.
Step 4: Specify the fillet radius or size. This determines the curvature of the fillet. You can either enter a specific value or use the dynamic preview to adjust the fillet size interactively.
Step 5: Preview the fillet and make any necessary adjustments to the size or selection.
Step 6: Click OK or press Enter to apply the fillet.

chamfer

The Chamfer tool in SolidWorks is utilized to generate oblique edges or corners on 3D models. This function enables the elimination of material from the periphery of a component or assembly to provide a level or inclined surface. Chamfers are frequently employed to mitigate the presence of sharp edges, facilitate the process of assembly, boost the longevity of a design, or augment its visual aesthetics. Below are the steps to using the Chamfer tool in SolidWorks:

Step 1: Start with a part that you want to chamfer. For this example, let’s just use a simple box (10cm*5cm*4cm)
Step 2: Activate the Chamfer tool. It can be found in the Features toolbar or the Command Manager under the Features section.
Step 3: Select the edges where you want to apply the chamfer.
Step 4: Specify the chamfer distance or size. This determines the length of the chamfer along the selected edges. Preview the chamfer and make any necessary adjustments to the size or selection.
Step 5: Click OK or press Enter to apply the chamfer.

hole wizard

The Hole Wizard tool in SolidWorks is a robust functionality that enables the creation of diverse holes and threads in your 3D models. It streamlines the task of including common holes and fastener characteristics, such as counterbores, countersinks, and threaded holes, by offering an extensive range of pre-established hole types and dimensions. Here's how you can use the Hole Wizard tool in SolidWorks:

Step 1: Start with a part that you want to make a hole. For this example, let’s just use a simple box (10cm*5cm*4cm)
Step 2: Activate the Hole Wizard tool. It can be found in the Features toolbar or the Command Manager under the Features section.
Step 3: Select the type of hole you want to create, such as simple holes, counterbored holes, countersunk holes, or threaded holes. Specify the hole parameters, such as hole size, depth, and position. You can either choose from a list of standard sizes or enter custom values.
Step 4: Select the face or plane where you want to place the hole. You can choose a reference plane, a cylindrical or planar face, or select a geometric reference.
Step 5: Preview the hole placement and make any necessary adjustments to the parameters or position.
Step 6: Click OK or press Enter to create the hole.

Assigning Materials

SolidWorks offers a collection of preexisting materials that you may allocate to your components. Here is the procedure for assigning a material to a certain part:

Step 1: Select the part you want to assign a material to.
Step 2: Right-click on the Material and choose "Edit Material" from the context menu. This will open the Material dialog box.
Step 3: In the Material dialog box, you can browse through the available material libraries or use the search function to find specific materials.
Step 4: If you wish to modify the material properties, you must create a copy of the material to the custom library. Then, you can modify the properties of the material.
Step 5: Select the desired material and click "Apply" to assign it to the part.

By assigning materials to pieces, you can accurately simulate the physical characteristics of the materials used in your designs. This enables you to analyze important issues like weight, structural integrity, and thermal behavior.

Applying Appearances

Appearances refer to the visual characteristics that may be assigned to components, allowing them to have distinct colors, textures, finishes, and other visual properties. Applying appearances allows you to visualize your designs with realistic colors, textures, and finishes Here is the procedure for applying an appearance to a specific component:

Step 1: Click on the appearances tab in the task pane
Step 2: In the Appearances tab, you can browse through various appearance libraries or use the search function to find specific appearances.
Step 3: Select the desired appearance and drag it onto the part in the graphics area. You can drop the appearance onto the entire part or specific faces, features, or bodies.
Step 4: To customize the appearance, you can adjust properties such as color, transparency, texture scale, and bump mapping using the Appearance PropertyManager.

3D Modeling

Creating basic 3D Features