SolidWorks 2011 Parts Bible - Matt Lombard [144]
Figure 9.28
The finished circular pattern
Tutorial: Mirroring Features
Follow these steps to get some practice with creating mirror features:
1. Open the file from the DVD called Chapter9 Tutorial2.sldprt.
2. Open a sketch on the side of the part, as shown in Figure 9.29. The straight line on top is 1.00 inch long, and the angled line ends 2.70 inches from the edge, as shown.
Figure 9.29
The sketch for the Rib feature
3. Click the Rib tool on the Features toolbar or select it from the menu at Insert⇒Features⇒Rib. Set the material arrow to go down toward the block, and the thickness setting to go to the inside by .375 inches. The PropertyManager and the preview should look like Figure 9.30.
Figure 9.30
Applying the Rib feature
4. Create a linear pattern using the rib, making the pattern reaches 2 inches into the part.
5. Create a chamfer on the same side of the part as the original rib, as shown in Figure 9.31. The chamfer is an Angle-Distance using 60° and .5 inches.
6. Create a round hole, sized and positioned as shown.
7. Mirror the hole and the chamfer about the Right plane. The parametrics of the chamfer will have difficulty patterning, and so you need to use the Geometry Pattern option. The finished part is shown in Figure 9.32.
Figure 9.31
Additional features on the part
Figure 9.32
The finished part
Tutorial: Applying a Cosmetic Pattern
Follow these steps to practice creating a cosmetic pattern:
1. Open the file from the DVD for Chapter 9 called Chapter 9 – tutorial – cosmetic pattern.sldprt.
2. Click the Appearances tab in the Task Pane. These steps will work whether or not you have RealView actually selected.
3. Expand the Appearances heading, then the Metal heading, then Steel, and then drag the Sandblasted Steel icon from the lower panel onto the part. When the popup menu appears, select the Part icon to apply the appearance to the entire part. Figure 9.33 shows the Task Pane and the popup menu.
Figure 9.33
Applying an appearance to a part
4. Expand the Miscellaneous listing (under Appearances) and the Pattern heading. Drag the Waffle Pattern onto the large cylindrical face of the part, and then Alt-click the Face icon in the popup toolbar. Using the Alt key while dragging or to select face, feature, body, or part automatically activates the PropertyManager to edit the appearance. Figure 9.34 shows the Appearances PropertyManager.
5. In the Mapping tab of the Appearances PropertyManager, select the cylindrical mapping under the Mapping Style section of the Mapping Controls panel.
6. Change the Rotation to 45 degrees, and choose the smallest Mapping Size.
Figure 9.34
The Appearances PropertyManager
Summary
Feature patterns and mirrors are powerful tools, but you need to have some discipline to benefit from their usefulness. Patterns in particular are extremely flexible, with many types of functions and options available. You should avoid sketch patterns if possible, not only because of performance considerations but also because complex sketches (sketches with a lot of entities and relations) tend to fail more often than simple sketches.
Chapter 10: Using Equations
In This Chapter
Using equations to create relationships between dimensions
Linking dimensions together
Assigning global variables
Entering expressions
Control suppression states of features and components
Linking to an existing equation from a SolidWorks model
Using Equations tutorial
Parametric sketch relations are not the only way to drive dimensions with intelligence. You can also use equations, link values, and global variables. Equations help you create simple or complex mathematical relations between dimensions. Link values are essentially a quick way of making two dimensions equal. Global variables can be used in equations like other dimension names. These three techniques are all very similar and related to one another in the interface, but are used in different ways in different situations.