Chapter 1

Introduction to Solidworks

Solid Works is a mechanical design software package to build parts, assemblies, and drawings,
which take advantage of the Microsoft Windows graphical user interface.In Solid Works, a part,
an assembly, and a drawing are all fully associated. Changes to the model are automatically
reflected in the associated drawings and assemblies. Likewise, when you make change to the
drawing and assembly, those changes will be reflected back to the model.

Fig 1.1 Introduction to Solidworks

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 Chapter 2
Solid Works user interface & Toolbar menus
The interface is native Windows interface, and such behaves in the same manner as other
Windows applications.

Fig 2.1 User Interface

2.1 Menus

1. It provides access to all commands that the Solid Works offers.

2. When a menu item has a right pointing arrow, it means there is a sub-menu associated
with the choice.
3. When a menu item is followed by a series of dots, it means that option opens a dialog box
with additional choices or information.

2.2 Toolbar Menu

1. Provide shortcuts enabling to quickly access the most frequently used commands.
2. They are organized according to function and can be customized, removed and
rearranged according to your preferences.

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2.3 Feature Manager Design Tree

1. It is located on the left side of the Solid Works Graphic window.

2. It displays the details chronological sequence on how all the parts, assembly and drawing
are created.
3. It allows access to do editing of the models.

2.4 View Toolbar

The View toolbar provides tools for manipulating Solid Works parts, drawings, and assemblies.

Fig 2.2 View Toolbar

Table 2.1 View Toolbar Description

Icon Description
Zoom to Fit Rescales the view so the entire part, drawing, or assembly is visible

Zoom to area Zooms in on a portion of the view that you select by creating a
bounding box.
Rotate View Dynamically turns the part or assembly image around a view
centeras you move the mouse.
Pan Dynamically moves the image. Press and hold the left mouse
buttonwhile moving the cursor around on the screen.

Hidden Lines Removed Displays only those lines that are visible at the angle the model
isrotated. Obscured lines are removed.
Displays a perspective view of the model. A perspective view is
Perspective themost normal view as seen by the eye or acamera. Parallel
linesrecede into the distance to avanishing point.Perspective may be
used in combination with any of the view modes.

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 Chapter 3
Design Library
The Design Library is a collection of features, parts and assembly files within the Task Pane. The
files can be inserted into parts and assemblies to reuse existing data.The Design Library window
is devoted to the storage and easy access to library features, forming tools, assemblies, and piece
parts. They are inserted using standard drag and drop techniques.

Fig 3.1 Design Library

3.1 Essentials of using Design Library

Taking full advantage of the design library requires an understanding of the file structure it uses.
Although some features and parts come in the SolidWorks software, the real power of the Design
Library is in creating and using your own folders and libraries.

3.2 Main Directory Structure

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Using Explorer, browse to Solidworks folder and open the data folder.This folder contains main
folder for the design library. The sub-folders annotations, assemblies, features, forming tools and
parts contain different types of data for different purposes.

Fig 3.2 Main Directory Structure

3.3 Features
The features folder contains all the library features that are shipped with the Design Library.
There are two main subdirectories: inch and metric. Each has the same subdirectories, including
fluid power ports, hole patterns, keyways, boring grooves, retaining ring grooves, and slots. The
example at the right is for the inch\keyways folder. All features must be*.sldlfp files.

Fig 3.3 Features

3.4 Library Forming Tools

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For sheet metal parts SolidWorks has provided a set offorming tools. The subdirectories include
embosses, extruded flanges,lances, louvers and ribs. The example at the right is for the
inch\lance folder.These files must be *.sldprt files.

Fig 3.4 Library Forming Tools

3.5 Library Parts

The parts shipped with the Feature library window are found in thesubdirectories located under
the folder library Parts. The subdirectoriesinclude hardware, inserts, knobs, piping routing,
sheetmetal and tubing. The example at the right is for the hardware folder.All of these must be
*.sldprt files.Assembly files shipped with the Feature library are found in the samefolders. They
are accessed by right-clicking the folder and choosing Assemblies folder. These must be
*.sldasm files.

Fig 3.5 Library Parts

Chapter 4

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 Basic 2D Sketching
4.1 Sketching
Sketching is the act of creating 2-dimensional profile comprised of wire frame geometry.
Sketches are used for all sketched feature in Solid Works including:
 Extrusions
 Sweeps
 Revolves
 Lofts
Process of completing the sketches
1. Starting a New part (It can be created in inch, millimeter or other units).
2. Sketches (Collections of 2D geometry that are used to create solid features).
3. Sketch Entities/Geometry (Types of 2D geometry such as lines, circles and rectangles
that make up the sketch).
4. Sketch Relations (Geometric relationships such as horizontal and vertical are applied to
the sketch entities. The relations restrict the movement of the entities).
5. State of the sketch (Each sketch has a status that determines whether it is ready to be
used or not. The state can fully-, under- or over defined).
6. Sketch tools (Tools can be used to modify the sketch geometry that has been created/ this
often involves the trimming or extension of the entities).
7. Extruding the sketch (Extruding uses the 2D sketch to create a 3D solid feature).

4.2 Sketch Entities/Geometry

Table 4.1 Sketch Entities/Geometry

Sketch Entity Toolbar Button Geometry Example

Line

Circle

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Centre Point Arc

3 Point Arc

Tangent Arc

Ellipse

Partial Ellipse

Parabola

Spline

Polygon

Rectangle

Parallelogram

Point

Centerline

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4.3 Status of a Sketch
The most common color codes are:

Table 4.2 Status of Sketch

S. NO. Color Diagnostic Case

Under Constrained
1. Blue
(This Usually appears when first
drawn)

Fully Constrained

2. Black (When more constraints and

dimensions are added to the
sketch, the sketch becomes
completely defined)

Over Constrained

3 Red
(Adding any dimension to fully
defined sketch will result in
over-defined sketch)

4.4 Additional Sketching

This module is an extension of the previous module. Here, you will learn more about Sketch
toolbar, Sketch Relations, Dimensions and edit the sketch.

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On the completion of this module, you will be able to:

• Apply other Sketch Entities:

1. Rectangle
2. Centerline
3. Ellipse

• Understand and utilize the available tools from the Sketch toolbar to create and modify the
sketch:
1. Trim – able to trim the selected entities.
2. Linear Pattern – able to create a linear pattern along one or both axes.
3. Mirror – able to mirror existing sketch entities.
4. Offset – able to offset one or more sketch entities, and selected model edges by a
specified distance.
5. Circular Pattern – able to create a circular pattern along one or both axes.

• Apply Sketch Relations between sketch entities

1. Midpoint
2. Horizontal
3. Coincident
4. Tangent

• Edit the sketch

1. Edit Linear Pattern.
2. Change the sketch plane.

4.5 Sketch Tools

The Sketch Tools toolbar and the Tools, Sketch Tools menu provide the following tools:

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 Symbol Description

Convert Entities creates one or more curves in a sketch by projecting an

edge, loop, face, external sketch curve, external sketch contour, set of
edges, or set of external sketch curves onto the sketch plane. (Available in
an active part or assembly document only.)

Mirror creates copies of sketch elements by are mirroring them around a

centerline. When you create mirrored elements, a symmetric relation is
applied between corresponding pairs of sketch points (the ends of
mirrored lines, the centers of arcs, and so on). If you change a mirrored
element, its mirror image also changes.
Fillet creates a tangent arc at the intersection of two sketch elements,
trimming away the corner.
Offset Entities creates sketch curves offset from a selected model edge,
loop, face, external sketch curve, external sketch contour, set of edges, or
set of external sketch curves by a specified distance.
An offset entity relation is created between each original entity and the
corresponding sketch curve. If the entity changes, when you rebuild the
model the offset curve also changes. (Available in an active part or
assembly document only.)

Trim/Extend trims or extends a sketch element.

Table 4.3 Sketch Tools

Chapter 5
Creating Features
5.1 Introduction

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Features are the individual shapes that, when combined, make up the part. You can also add
some types of features to assemblies. Some features originate as sketches; other features, such as
shells or fillets, are created when you select the appropriate menu command and define the
dimensions or characteristics that you want. This chapter describes the following:

1. The Features Toolbar

2. Base, Boss, and Cut
3. Extrude, Revolve, Sweep, and Loft
4. Fillet/Round, Chamfer, and Draft
5. Hole - Simple and Hole Wizard
6. Shell
7. Rib
8. Dome
9. Pattern - Circular, Linear, and Mirror
10. Curve
11. Surface

Fig 5.1 Features Toolbar

5.2 Extrude

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Extrude extends the sketched profile of a feature in one or two directions as either a thin feature
or a solid feature. An extrude operation can either add material to a part (in a base or boss) or
remove material from a part (in a cut or hole).

Solid Feature Thin Feature

Fig 5.2 Extrude

5.3 Cut
A cut is a feature which removes material from a part or an assembly.A cut may be created by
Extrude, Sweep, Revolve, or Loft (from one or more sketches), or Thicken or cut With
Surface (from a surface).

Fig 5.3 Cut

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5.4 Fillet/Round

Fillet/Round creates a rounded internal or external face on the part. You can fillet all edges of a
face, selected sets of faces, selected edges, or edge loops.
In general, it is best to follow these rules when making fillets:
 Add larger fillets before smaller ones. When several fillets converge at a vertex, create
the larger fillets first.
 Add drafts before fillets. If you are creating a molded or cast part with many filleted
edges and drafted surfaces, in most cases you should add the draft features before the
fillets.
 Save cosmetic fillets for last. Try to add cosmetic fillets after most other geometry is in
place. If you add them earlier, it takes longer to rebuild the part.
 To enable a part to rebuild more rapidly, use a single Fillet operation to treat several
edges that require equal radius fillets. Be aware however, that when you change the
radius of that fillet, all the fillets created in the same operation change.

Fig. 5.4 Fillet

5.5 Hole

Hole creates various types of hole features in the model. You place a hole on a planar face, then
specify its location by dimensioning it afterwards.
 Simple - Places a circular hole of the depth you specify.
 Wizard - Creates holes with complex profiles, such as Counter boreor Countersunk.
In general, it is best to create holes near the end of the design process. This helps you avoid
inadvertently adding material inside an existing hole.

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 Fig. 5.5 Hole

5.6 Chamfer

Chamfer creates a beveled edge on the selected edges and/or faces.

Fig. 5.6 Chamfer

5.7 Draft
Draft tapers faces using a specified angle to selected faces in the model, to make a molded part
easier to remove from the mold. You can insert a draft in an existing part or draft while extruding
a feature.

You can draft using either a neutral plane or a parting line.

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 Fig. 5.7 Draft

5.8 Dome
You can add a dome feature to any model face that has a circular, elliptical, or four-sided
boundary. A four-sided boundary need not be rectangular, and each side may consist of a single
segment or a set of tangent segments.

Fig. 5.8 Dome

5.9 Mirror
Mirror Feature creates a copy of a feature (or features), mirrored about a plane.
You can either use an existing plane or create a new one. If you modify the original feature, the
mirrored copy is updated to reflect the changes.

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 Fig. 5.9 Mirror

5.10 Curve
A curve is a type of reference geometry. You can create several types of 3D reference curves by
these methods:

Table 5.1 Curves

You can project a sketched curve onto a model

Projected Curve face to create a 3D curve.

It can be done by giving pitch and revolutions to

Helix
the curve.

Split Line projects a sketched curve onto

selected model faces. It divides a selected face
into multiple separate faces sothat each can be
Split Line
selected and modified individually. Split Line is
used with the Parting Line option in the Draft
feature.

 Curve Through Reference Points

Creates a 3D spline through points located on one or more planes. You can use sketch points or
model vertices
 Curve Through Free Points
You can create a 3D spline from a set of points. There are two ways to generate a point list for
this purpose. You can create a curve file one point at a time, observing the effect on the resulting
curve as you go along.

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5.11 Revolved Features
Revolved Boss/Base – material added by rotating the profiles about a centerline
Revolved Cut – material removed by rotating the sketch
The Revolve parameters box provides the ability to select:

Hollow Cylinder Solid Cylinder

Fig. 5.10 Revolved Features

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5.12 Patterning
You have learnt the sketch pattern such as linear and circular pattern. There are other pattern
tools that are available in Solid Works. You may find them at Insert – Pattern/Mirror.
Pattern repeats the selected features in an array based on a seed feature. You can create a linear
pattern, a circular pattern, a curve driven pattern, a fill pattern, or use sketch points or table
coordinates to create the pattern.

Fig. 5.11 Patterning Command

Table 5.2 Patterning

Linear Pattern Select the features, and then
specify the direct, the linear
spacing, and the total number
of instances.
Circular Pattern Select the features and an
edge or axis asrotation, and
then specify thetotal number
of instancesand the angular
spacingbetween instances.

Curve Driven Pattern Select the features and an

Patternedge or sketch
segment onwhich to pattern
the feature.Then you can
specify the type of curve, the
curvemethod, and the
alignmentmethod.

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Fill Pattern Fill a defined region with a
pattern of features or
predefined cut shape.
Typical uses include:
• Weight reduction
• Ventilation holes

But remember, the commands are only enable when you have multi body parts.

5.13 Swept
Swept Boss/Base – material added by sweeping a profile along the path.

Cut Sweep – material removed by sweeping a profile along the path.

Fig. 5.12 Swept

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 Follow path– the section Keep Normal Constant – the

remains at the same angle with section remains parallel to the

respect to the path at all times. beginning section at all times.

5.14 Lofted
Loft creates a feature by making transitions between profiles. A loft can be a base, boss, cut, or
surface. You create a loft using two or more profiles. Only the first, last,or first and last profiles
can be points. All sketch entities, including guide curves andprofiles, can be contained in a
single 3D sketch.

Fig. 5.13 Lofted

5.15 Rib
Rib is a special type of extruded feature created from open or closed sketched contours. It adds
material of a specified thickness in a specified direction between the contour and an existing part.
You can create a rib using single or multiple sketches.

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 Fig. 5.14 Rib

1. Sketch L shape and extrude the sketch.

2. Sketch a Line to use as the rib feature on a plane.
3. Click Rib on the Features toolbar, or click Insert, Features, Rib.
4. Click OK

5.16 Shell
Shell tool hollows out a part, leaves open the faces you select, and creates thin walled features on
the remaining faces. If you do not select any face on the model, you can shell a solid part,
creating a closed, hollow model. You can also shell a model using multiple thicknesses.

Fig. 5.15 Shell

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 Chapter 6
Assembly Modeling

6.1 Stages in Process

1. Creating a new assembly

• New assemblies are created using the same method as new parts

Fig. 6.1 Creating new assembly

2. Adding the first component

Components can be added in several ways. They can be dragged and dropped from an open part
window or opened from standard browser.

3. Position of the first component

The initial component added to the assembly is automatically fixed as it is added.

Others components can be positioned after they are added.

4. Mating components to each other

Mates are used to position and orient components with reference to each other. Mates remove
degrees of freedom from the components.

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 Fig. 6.2 Mating Components

6.2 Assembly Toolbar

Table 6.1 Assembly Toolbar

Insert Components

Hide/Show Components

Change Suppression State

Edit Components

No External References

Mate

Move Components

Smart Fasteners

Exploded View

Simulation

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6.3 Basic Assembly Mates
1. Coincident – place two flat surfaces in the same Plane
2. Parallel – define two flat surfaces as parallel
3. Perpendicular – define two lines or planes as perpendicular to one another
4. Tangent – defines a cylindrical feature as tangent to a line or plane
5. Concentric – align the centerlines of two cylindrical features
6. Distance – make two surfaces parallel, with a specified distance between them
7. Angle – two lines or planes at a preset angle to one another

Fig. 6.3 Standard Mates

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 Chapter 7
Project Work
Aim: - To prepare Crane Hook

Apparatus: - A computer system with solid work software.

Fig:- Assembly view of crane hook

Parts of Crane hook

1. Bush part

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2. Cover plate

3. Crosshead Block

4. Distance Bolt

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5. Dust cover

6. Hook

7. Lock plate

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8. Nut

9. Pully Pin

10. Pully

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 Chapter 8
Future Scope

Solid works software is the most amazing range of mechanical computer aided design tool. It is
now considered to be the best according to industry standards that can be obtained for a wide
array of designing, Mechanical Engineering Services and other industrial purposes.This software
is utilized to provide some useful and practical designing software that will allow users to
visualize as well as create prototypes of a product in reality and quick time.

Like all other enterprise applications and professional software that provides training with
certification upon completion, Solid works software also has options for different professional
examinations that helps in enhancing skills and increases the chances of finding better jobs as
CAD operators.Online tutorials, groups and forums are some of the avenues where you would be
able to discuss, debate and post questions related to a process in order to increase awareness
about the mechanical computer designing software. You can also obtain Solidworks training
program on the Internet.There are many features of Solidworks, which makes it one of the
perfect software applications to use. It has become one of those revolutionary product
documentation tools that set new benchmark for excellent product communication as well as
distribution method.The unique feature of Solidworks called 3DVIA composer is commonly in
use these days. With the use of this feature, it is possible to:

1. Create interactive marketing materials

2. Create 3D animation
3. Prepare service instructions and assembly
4. Prepare higher resolution raster pictures as well as vector graphics
5. Created animated HTML and 3D PDF
6. Create parts manual online
Solidworks software allows developers to give form to their out of the box ideas. However, this
requires in-depth knowledge and understanding of the entire software and its basic as well as
important features.

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 References and Bibliography

 SolidWorks 2012 Training Manual.

 http://www.solidworks.com/

 SolidWorks 2012 Online User’s Guide

 http://www.inspirtech.com (BEST National Sponsor)

 http://www.me.cmu.edu/academics/courses/NSF_Edu_Proj/Statics_Solidworks/layout.ht
m

 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=&a
q=f

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