GOVERNMENT POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE

PERINTHALMANNA

PRODUCTION SOFTWARE
LAB
STUDY

Prepared by

Rafeeh EC

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

 Production Software Lab

INDEX

SL NO CONTENT PAGE COn

NO

STUDY

1 INTRODUCTION TO SOLIDWORKS 3 CO 1

2 SOLIDWORKS USER INTERFACE 5 CO 1

3 KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS 14 CO 1

4 DESIGN TOOLS AND ESSENTIALS OF SOLIDWORKS 15 CO 2

5 BASIC MODULES OF SOLID WORKS 19 CO 3

6 ASSEMBLY MODELING TECHNIQUES 20 CO 3

7 CREATING DESIGN LIBRARY 23 CO 3

8 INSERTING SURFACE FINISH SYMBOLS 24 CO 4

9 INSERTING WELDING SYMBOLS 25 CO 4

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INTRODUCTION TO SOLIDWORKS

Solid Works is a 3D mechanical CAD program that runs on

Microsoft Windows which was developed by Solid Works Corporation, headquartered in USA, a
subsidiary of Dassault Systemes. Solid Works provides engineers, designers and other creative
professional with the need to design the world’s greatest products. It is the parametric feature based
modelling tool that not only unites the three dimensional (3D) parametric features with two
dimensional (2D) tools, but also addresses every design through manufacturing process. It is one of
the most user- friendly software packages.

SolidWorks provides a full range of integrated modelling,

simulation, visualization; communication and validation tools that product designers need to develop
better products faster and at lower cost. In addition, its unique capabilities enable the mechanical
designer to concentrate on the product design.

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To start a SOLIDWORKS

1) Type SOLIDWORKS in the Search window.

2) Click the SOLIDWORKS application (or if available, double-click the SOLIDWORKS

icon on the desktop).

The SOLIDWORKS Welcome dialog box is displayed by default. The Welcome dialog box
provides a convenient way to open recent documents (Parts, Assemblies and Drawings), view recent
folders, access SOLIDWORKS resources, and stay updated on SOLIDWORKS news.

If the Welcome dialog box is not displayed, click the Welcome to SOLIDWORKS icon from
the Standard toolbar or click Help > Welcome to SOLIDWORKS from the Main menu.

3) View your options. Do not open a document at this time.

You have 3 options available to you on your solid works screen

1. Part, 2. Assembly and 3. Drawing .

➢ Choose part (either double click on in or just click once and press “OK”.
➢ Choose sketch ribbon in the solid works screen and select first plane, front, top and right and
click on the sketch icon.
➢ Sketch environment is highlighted and we can draw the various 2d drawing using 2d drawing
sketching in solid works.
➢ For setting the initial units setting in solidworks go to “tools>options>click documents and
properties > click on “UNITS” and choose your default units what you need to choose e.g.
mmgs (millimeters, grams, second) IPS (inch, pound, second).

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SOLIDWORKS USER INTERFACE

The Main elements of the SolidWorks user interface are as follows (see Figure 1.0 for the
corresponding item numbers):

1. Title bar: Displays the name of the active document and active document window with a blue
(default color) title bar. Inactive document windows are shown with a grey title bar. If you haven’t
saved any changes to a document, you see a * after the document name.

2. Main Menu: A set of drop down menus (File, Edit, View, and so on) across the top of the user
interface. The menu bar contents are task dependent based on the active document type. SolidWorks
toolbars display these functions whereas the menu bar contains the complete set.

3. Standard toolbar: Found just beneath the main menu this toolbar is consists of a set of the most
commonly used command buttons.

4. View toolbar: Features a series of commonly used command buttons that allow you to zoom,
rotate and view the part in different orientations.

5. Minimize window: Shrinks the document window.

6. Maximize window: Enlarges the viewing window to full-size.

7. Close window: Closes solid works. If you have made any changes to you documents, SolidWorks
prompts you to save the document.

8. Command Manager: A dynamic toolbar that lists the command buttons for the type of document
you are working on.

9. Feature Manager design tree tab: Displays the Feature Manager design tree.

10. Property Manager: Appears in the left panel when you select many of the SolidWorks
commands such as sketches, fillet features and so on. The Property Manager displays selection icons
to enter relevant command options and boxes/fields to enable the user to enter relevant design and
data parameters.

11. Configuration Manager tab: Appears in place of the FeatureManager design tree. Helps create,
select and view multiple configurations (variations of parts and assemblies in a single document).

12. Feature Manager design tree: Similar to the windows explorer tree it lists the structure of the
part, assembly or drawing.

13. Show display pane: Expands or collapses the display pane.

14. Graphics area: Displays the part assembly or drawing.

15. Pointer: Indicates the position of the mouse and lets you select items within the user interface
(not shown on Fig 1.0)

16. Tool tip: A pop up informational message about a feature or function. It appears when you hover
the pointer over an object. It disappears after a few seconds (not shown on Fig 1.0).

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17. Status bar: Gives more complex explanation of the selected function.

18. Status bar: Indicates whether it is a drawing, part or assembly that you are editing.

19. Quick tips help: Indicates with a question mark button whether Quick Tips is on or off. Click the
icon to toggle

20. Resize window: Enables resizing (by clicking and dragging) the window if it isn’t already
maximized.

21. SolidWorks resources: Click to open the SolidWorks Resources tab, which contains links to
resources, tutorials, tips of the day and also command buttons to open or create SolidWorks
documents.

22. Design Library: Click to open the design library. Inside you see the Design Library, Toolbox and
3D Content Central each which contain many standard design elements you can drag and drop into
your design.

23. File Explorer: Duplicates Windows Explorer in your computer. Lists recently opened documents
and currently opened documents. You can drag documents from here into the graphics area.

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Toolbars

Toolbar buttons are shortcuts for frequently used commands. You can set toolbar placement
and visibility based on the document type (part, assembly, or drawing). SolidWorks remembers which
toolbars to display and where to display them for each document type.

Solidworks Windows

The format of the SolidWorks window reflects that of windows itself. The same is true for any
SolidWorks document. Once opened a document appears split into two panels. The right is the
graphics window, where your model or drawing appears. You can create and manipulate the
document in the graphics window. The left panel contains the following SolidWorks document
windows:

The Feature Manager design tree

On the left side of the SolidWorks document window the Feature Manager design tree
provides Windows Explorer-type selection and editing access to all the entities in your active
document. The type of entities the design tree is populated with varies depending on the active
document type from features and sketches for part documents to drawing views for a drawing and
parts/subassemblies in an assembly.

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Property Manager

Appears in the left panel when you select many of the SolidWorks commands such as
sketches, fillet features and so on. The Property Manager displays selection icons to enter relevant
command options and boxes/fields to enable the user to enter relevant design and data parameters.

Configuration Manager

Appears in place of the Feature Manager design tree. Helps create, select and view multiple
configurations (variations of parts and assemblies in a single document).

The Command Manager

Located just below the standard tool bar in the top left hand corner of the document window,
is the Command Manager, a smart toolbar that displays the menus you need for the task at hand. The
Command Manager is divided into two areas: the control area made up a selection of buttons any of
which selected displays a toolbar in the toolbar area (directly to the right of the control area as shown
above). For example, if you select the Features button, the Feature commands display in the toolbar
area (Extruded base/boss, extruded cut and so on). The Command Manager makes efficient use of the
space onscreen by embedding a number of toolbars in just one. As a result this minimizes the number
of menu picks, mouse movements and overall allows the user to work faster and more efficiently

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Context Toolbars

Context toolbars appear when you select items in the graphics area or Feature Manager design
tree. They provide access to frequently performed actions for that context. Context toolbars are
available for parts, assemblies, and sketches.

Shortcut Menus

Shortcut menus give you access to a wide variety of tools and commands while you work in
SolidWorks. When you move the pointer over geometry in the model, over items in the Feature
Manager design tree, or over the SolidWorks window borders, right-clicking pops up a shortcut menu
of commands that are appropriate for wherever you clicked.

You can access the "more commands menu" by selecting the double-down arrows in the
menu. When you select the double-down arrows or pause the pointer over the double- down arrows,
the shortcut menu expands to offer more menu items.

The shortcut menu provides an efficient way to work without continually moving the pointer
to the main pull-down menus or the toolbar buttons.

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Heads-up View toolbar

A set of predefined views can be selected through the Standard view toolbar, a flyout (similar
to a drop down Menu) tool bar that is embedded in the View toolbar. If you click the Standard View
button in the View toolbar, you get a pull-down menu of several commands that represent standard
engineering views. This enables the user to select views such as Side, Front, Top, Right and Bottom
as well as perspectives: Isometric, Trimetric and Dimetric which vary in viewing.

View and Orientation

The orientation section of the View toolbar offers several tools to enable the user to manually
manipulate the orientation of a model. These manipulation tools include the following:

Zoom to Fit: Zooms in or out so the entire model is visible.

Zoom to Area: Zooms in on a portion of the view that you select by dragging a bounding box. The
centre of the box is marked with plus (+) sign.

Zoom In/Out: Zooms in as you press and hold the left mouse button and drag the mouse up. Zooms
out as you drag the mouse down.

Zoom to Selection: Zooms to the size of a selected entity.

Rotate View: Rotates the view as you press and hold the left mouse button and drag the mouse
around the screen.

Roll View: Rotates the view about an axis normal to the screen as you press and hold the left mouse
button and drag the mouse around the screen. Pan View: Scrolls the view so the model moves as you
drag the mouse.

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Display Modes

The third section of the View toolbar offers the following display modes for model and
drawing view in drawing documents. These tools include the following:

➢ Shaded
➢ Shaded with Edges
➢ Hidden Lines Removed
➢ Hidden Lines Visible
➢ Wireframe (Displays all edges of the model)
➢ Section View

Mouse Buttons

SolidWorks uses three mouse buttons to access features, select objects and perform tasks:

Left: Selects menu items, entities in the graphics area, and objects in the FeatureManager design tree.

To select an entity click on the entity in the graphics window or in the feature manager design tree.
Selected objects become highlighted in both the graphics area and FeatureManager design tree. To
select multiple entities hold down the Ctrl button while continuing to click on the objects to be
selected. To select a group of objects hold down the mouse button and drag a window around the
objects. To deselect all objects click anywhere in the document window outside the part or assembly.

Right: Displays context sensitive options and shortcut menus.

Middle: Rotate: Hold down button and move mouse. To rotate about a vertex edge or axis (other
than the origin) click the middle mouse button on the geometry then hold and move the mouse.

Pan: Hold Ctrl button while holding down button and move the mouse

Zoom: Position cursor over the chosen position in the graphics window and hold shift and mouse
button or if available spin roller button toward you to zoom out and reverse to zoom in.

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Mouse gestures

You can use a mouse gesture as a shortcut to execute a command, similar to a keyboard
shortcut. Once you learn command mappings, you can use mouse gestures to invoke mapped
commands quickly.

To activate a mouse gesture, from the graphics area, right-drag in the gesture direction that
corresponds to the command.

When you right-drag, a guide appears, showing the command mappings for the gesture directions.

Drawings guide with eight gestures .The guide highlights the command you are about to select

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SOLIDWORKS FILE FORMATS

SOLIDWORKS can import and export to a wide range of file formats, making saving files
easy for users.

When you save a file natively in SOLIDWORKS, it can be saved as an:

• SLDPRT part file (.sldprt)

• SLDASM assembly file (.sldasm)

• SLDDRW drawing file (.SLDDRW)

• SLDDRT template file (.slddrt)

Neutral SOLIDWORKS File Formats

SOLIDWORKS natively supports some of the most popular neutral file formats. Transfer models easily
between CAD software with:

• IGES format (.igs, .iges)

• STEP format (.stp)

• STL format (.stl)

These files can also be used for 3D printing

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KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS
Listed below are the predefined keyboard shortcuts options:

Arrow Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rotate the view

Shift+Arrow Keys . . . . . . . . . . . Rotate the view in 90° increments

Alt+Left or Right Arrow Keys ....Rotate about normal to the screen

Ctrl+Arrow Keys . . . . . . . . . . . Move the view

Shift+z . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zoom In

z. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zoom Out

f . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Zoom to Fit

Ctrl+1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Front Orientation

Ctrl+2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back Orientation

Ctrl+3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Left Orientation

Ctrl+4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Right Orientation

Ctrl+5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Top Orientation

Ctrl+6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bottom Orientation

Ctrl+7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Isometric Orientation

Ctrl+8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . View Normal To

Spacebar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . View Orientation dialog

Ctrl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hold and select multiple items with mouse button

Ctrl+c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Copy selected entity/item

Ctrl+z . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Undo

Ctrl+y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Redo

Ctrl+Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Switch between documents

Alt+drag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Select anywhere in a drawing view

Shift+drag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Maintains distance between drawing views while dragging

Ctrl+R . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Redraw

Ctrl+B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rebuild

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DESIGN TOOLS AND ESSENTIALS OF SOLIDWORKS

SolidWorks mechanical design automation software is a feature-based, parametric solid
modeling design tool which takes advantage of the easy to learn Windows graphical user interface.
You can create fully associative 3-D solid models with or without constraints while utilizing
automatic or user defined relations to capture design intent

Feature-based

Just as an assembly is composed of a number of individual piece parts, a SolidWorks model

also consists of individual constituent elements. These elements are called as features. The idea
behind feature based modeling is that the designer constructs an object composed of individual feature
that describe themanner in which the geometry supports the object, if its dimension changes. The first
feature is called the base feature.

Features can be classified as either sketched or applied.

1.Sketched features: These are based upon a 2D sketch. Only this type can be used as a base feature.
Generally the sketch is transformed into a solid by extrusion, rotation, sweeping or lofting.

2.Applied features: These are created directly on the solid model. Fillets and chamfers are examples
of this type of feature.

Parametric

The dimensions and relations used to create a feature are captured and stored in the model.
This not only enables you to capture your design intent, it also allows you to quickly and easily make
changes to the model.

Driving Dimensions: These are the dimensions used when creating a feature. They include the
dimensions associated with the sketch geometry, as well as those associated with the feature itself. A
simple example of this would be a feature like a cylindrical boss. The diameter of the boss is
controlled by the diameter of the sketched circle. The height of the boss is controlled by the depth to
which that circle was extruded when the feature was made.

Relations: These include such information as parallelism, tangency, and concentricity. Historically,
this type of information has been communicated on drawings via feature control symbols. By
capturing this in the sketch, SolidWorks enables the user to fully capture your design intent up front,
in the model.

Solid Modeling

A solid model is the most complete type of geometric model used in CAD systems. It contains
all the wire frame and surface geometry necessary to fully describe the edges and faces of the model.
In addition to the geometric information, it has the information called topology that relates the
geometry together. An example of topology would be which faces (surfaces) meet at which edge
(curve). This intelligence makes operations such a filleting as easy as selecting an edge and specifying
a radius.

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Fully Associative

A SolidWorks model is fully associative to the drawings and assemblies that reference it.
Changes to the model are automatically reflected in the associated drawings and assemblies.
Likewise, you can make changes in the context of the drawing or assembly and know that those
changes will be reflected back in the model.

Constraints:

Geometric relationships such as parallel, perpendicular, horizontal,vertical, concentric and coincident

are some of the constraints supported inSolidWorks

In addition, equations can be used to establish mathematical relationships among parameters.

By using constraints and equations, guarantees the design concepts,such as through holes or equal
radii that are captured and maintained.

Terminologies used

The SolidWorks software employs many terms that need to be familiar with, while using the
software.

Feature

All operations performed to create the design are stored as feature in SolidWorks. Sketched
features are based on sketches and applied features are based on edges or faces.

Plane

Planes are flat and infinite. They are presented on the screen withvisible edges. They are used
as the primary sketch surface for creating boss andcut features.

Sketch

In the SolidWorks system, the name used to describe a 2D profile is a sketch. Sketches are
created on flat faces and planes within the model. They are generally used as the basis for bosses and
cuts, although they can exist independently.

Boss

Bosses are used to add materials to the model. The critical initialfeature is always a boss. After
the first feature, as many bosses as required tocomplete the design can be added. As with the base, all
bosses begin with asketch.

Cut

A cut is used to remove materials from the model. It is the opposite of the boss. Like boss, cuts
begin as 2D sketches and these remove material by extrusion, revolution or other methods.

Design intent

The design intent implies the plan and the method for creating and changing the model.

Relationships between features and thesequence of their creation, all contribute to design intent.

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Reference geometry

Reference geometry includes planes, axes, points and coordinate systems. These reference
geometries act as a reference for drawing the sketches in sketched features, defining the sketch planes
and assembling the components. They also serve as a reference for various placed and sketched
features and so on. These features have neither mass nor volume.

ReferencePlanes

Generally, all engineering components or design are multi featured models. In addition, all the
features of a model all not created on the plane on which the base feature is created. Therefore, a
default plane has to be selected or create a new plane that is used as the second plane for the sketching
feature. The three default planes that are available with the SolidWorks environment are Front Plane,
Top Plane and the Right Plane. These planes are mutually perpendicular to each other.

Reference Axes

These are construction axes creating Reference Planes,coordinate systems, Circular patterns
and so on.

Reference Coordinat System

It is used for creating features, analyzingthe geometry analyzing the assemblies and so on.

Reference Curves

These are used to create paths to create complexshapes.

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Placed Features
Placed features are construction features that operate on existing features. These tools help to
improve the efficiency of modeling using SolidWorks. They do not require any sketched entity. The
following tools are discussed below:
Hole: It is used to create a cylindrical hole on a planar face. Hole wizard isused to add standard holes
such as counter bore, countersink, tapped and pipe tap holes. It also allows creating a user-defined
hole and can control all the parameters of the hole including the termination options.
Fillet: It is used to round an internal or external edge of a model.
Chamfer: It is used to create a bevel feature on selected edges, faces or vertex of a model to reduce
stress concentration and remove the sharp edges.
Shell: It is a process in which the material is scooped out from a model and the resulting model is
hollowed from inside.
Rib: It 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.
Draft: It is used to add taper to the selected faces of the model which makes the molded part to
remove easier from the mold. It can be inserted in an existing part or while extruding a feature
Mirror: It is used to copy or mirror the selected feature, face or body about a specified mirror plane,
which can be a reference plane or a reference face.
Patterns: Patterns are one or two dimensional incremental array of features created from a single
feature called the parent feature or the leader. It is required to specify the total number of features to
be created, including the one that is being patterned.
Pattern offers the following benefits:
➢ Creating a pattern is an easier way to reproduce a feature.
➢ The entire instance in the pattern is related parametrically. Therefore, any change in the
original feature, automatically updates the pattern definition.
➢ It may be easier or more effective to perform operations once on the multiple features
contained in a pattern, rather than on the individual features.

Linear pattern: It reproduces selected feature linearly i.e. in rows and columns by defining the
number of instances and spacing between the patterning the number of instances and spacing callouts.
Circular pattern: It arranges the selected feature in a circular fashion by specifying the pattern angle
and the number of instances in the angle and number of instances.
Curve driven pattern: It is used to pattern the features, faces or bodies along a selected reference
curve. The reference curve can be a sketched entity, an edge, an open profile or a closed loop.
Table driven pattern: It is created by specifying the X and Y coordinates with reference to a
coordinate system.
Fill pattern: It lets to select an area defined by coplanar faces or a sketch that lies on coplanar faces.
The command fills the defined region with a pattern of features or a predefined cut shape. If sketch is
used for the boundary, then pattern direction has to be selected.

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BASIC MODULES OF SOLID WORKS

SolidWorks extends design applications through full integration with best-in-class solutions.
The following are modules used in SolidWorks:

1.Part Modeling:

This module produces parts easily and rapidly by creating features such as extrudes, revolves,
thin features, lofts, sweeps, advanced shelling, features pattern and holes.

2.Assembly modeling:

It gives a user the ability to design with user controlled associability. SolidWorks builds these
individuals parts and sub-assemblies into an assembly in a hierarchical manner. This is based on the
relations defined by the constraints.

3.Surface Modeling:

For designing dies, casting or injection molds, surface modeling capability is important.
SolidWorks Surface module can create complex models from freeform shapes. Complex surfaces can
be created by using lofts and sweeps with guide curves, drag-handlers for easy control and innovative
surface features.

4.SheetMetal Design:

Sheet metal parts are generally used as enclosures for components or to provide support to
other components. Sheet metal part can be designed on its own without any references to the parts it
will enclose, or designed in the context of an assembly that contains the enclosed the components.

5.Drawing:

2D drawing module develops complete production ready engineering drawings without

drawing the sketches, makes revisions quickly and accurately, and generates bills of materials and
balloons automatically, easily controlling and alignment of balloons.

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ASSEMBLY MODELING TECHNIQUES

Assembly is a combination of two or more components using parametric relationship. In
SolidWorks, these relationships are called Mates. These mates enable to constrain degrees of freedom
of the components at their respective work positions. Components can be part or subassembly.
Components are linked to the assembly file. The full associability of SolidWorks reflects any change
made on a part, in all assemblies where the part is used.

Assembly design approaches:

There are two approaches for making an assembly.

1.Bottom-updesign:

It is traditional method. In it parts can be created, insert them into an assembly, and constraint
them as required by design. It is the preferred technique when using previously constructed, off-the-
shelf parts. An advantage of bottom-up design is that, because components are designed
independently, their relationships and regeneration behavior are simpler than in top-down design.
Working with bottom-up design enables to focus on the individual parts. It is good method to use if
there is no need to create references that control the size or the shape of the parts with respect to each
other.

2.Top-down design:

It allows starting work in the assembly and built parts to fit in the assembly. Geometry of one
part helps to define the other parts or to create machined features that are added only after the parts
are assembled. It can start with a skeleton model/layout sketch that defines fixed part locations, planes
and so on. Then design the parts referencing these definitions. For example, inserting a part in an
assembly and then, build a fixture based on this part. Working with top-down, creating the fixture in
context, enables to reference model geometry. It can control the dimensions of the fixture by creating
geometric relations to the original part. If dimension of the part is changed in this way then the fixture
is automatically updated.

Assembly mates

Mates enable to control part movement with respect to each other. They create a geometric
relation between assembly components. As mates are added allowable directions of linear or
rotational motion of the components can be defined. A component can be moved within its degrees of
freedom, visualizing the assembly’s behavior.

Most commonly mates used in SolidWorks are:

Standard mates:

It mates following valid relationships:

Coincident: It positions selected faces, edges and planes so that they share the same infinite plane. It
positions two vertices, so that they touch Align axes

Parallel: It places the selected items, so that they remain at constant distance apart from each other.

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Perpendicular: It places the selected items at a 900 angle to each other.

Tangent: it places the selected items tangent to each other (at least one selection must be a
cylindrical, conical or spherical face).

Concentric: It places the selections so that they share the same centerline.

Lock: It maintains the position and orientation between two components. The components are
between fully constrained relative to each other. A lock mate has the same effect as forming a sub-
assembly between the two components and making the sub-assembly rigid.

Distance: It places the selected items with the specified distance between them.

Angle: It places the selected items at the specified angle to each other mate alignment.

Advanced mates:

Symmetric: A symmetric mate forces two similar entities to be symmetric about a plane or planar
face of a component or a plane of the assembly.

The following entities are allowed in symmetric mate:

i. Points such as vertices or sketch points.

ii. Lines such as edges, axes or sketch lines.

iii. Planes or planar faces.

iv. Spheres of equal radii.

v. Cylinders of equal radii.

Width: A mate centers a tab within the width of a groove. Groove width references can include:

i. Two parallel planar faces

ii. Two non-parallel planar faces.

Path: A path mate constrains a selected point on a component, to a path. The path can be defined by
selecting one or more entities in the assembly. Also defining pitch, yaw and roll of the component as
it travels along the path.

Linear/Linear coupler: It establishes a relationship between the translation of one component and
the translation of another component.

Limit: It allows components to move within a range of values for distance and angle mates as starting
distance or angle as well as a maximum and minimum value can be specified.

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Mechanical mates:

Cam: A cam follower mate is a type of tangent or coincident mate. It allows mating a cylinder, plane,
or point to a series of tangent extruded faces, such as the one find on a cam. A cam profile can be
created from lines, arcs and splines, as long as they are tangent and form a closed loop.

Gear: Gear mates force two components to rotate relative to one another about selected axes.

Valid sections for the axis of rotation for gear mateinclude cylindrical and conical faces, axes and
linear edges.

Hinge: A hinge mate limits the movement between two components toone rotational degree of
freedom. It has the same effect as adding a concentric mate plus a coincident mate. It allows limiting
the angular movement between the two components.

Advantages of hinge mates:

i. When modeling, it is required to apply only one mate.

ii. If an analysis such as with SolidWorks Simulation is run, the reaction forces and results are
associated with the hinge mate, not one particular concentric or coincident mate.

Rack and pinion: With rack and pinion mates, linear translation of one component (the rack) causes
circular rotation in another component (the pinion), and vice-versa. It can mate any two components
to have this type of movement relative to each other. The components do not need to have gear teeth.

Screw: A screw mate constrains two components to be concentric, and also adds a pitch relationship
between the rotation of one component and the translation of the other. Translation of one component
along the axis causes rotation of the other component according to the pitch relationship. Likewise,
rotation of one component causes translation of the other component.

Universal joint: The rotation of one component (the output shaft) about its axis is driven by the
rotation of another component (the input shaft) about its axis.

Mate references:

Mate reference specify one or more entities of a component to use for automatic mating.
While dragging a component with a mate reference into an assembly, the SolidWorks software tries to
find other combinations of the same mate reference name and mate type. If the name is same, but the
type does not match, the software does not add the mate.

Editing mates: Mates can be edited to incorporate the changes in relationshipsapplied to the
assembly.

Deleting mates: When a mate is deleted, it is deleted in all configurationsof the assembly.

Diagnosis: MateXpert is a tool that allows identifying mating problems inan assembly. It can
examine the details of mates that are not satisfied, andidentify groups of mates which over define the
assembly.

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Collision detection: It can detect collisions with other components whenmoving or rotating a
component. The software can detect collisions with theentire assembly or a selected group of
components. It can find collisions for either the selected components or for all the components that
move as a resultof mates to the selected components.

Assembly pattern

In the assembly mode parts can be pattern in the same manner as patterning feature in a part. It
can create the following types of pattern in an assembly: linear, circular and derived pattern.

DESIGN LIBRARY
The design library contains reusable parts, assemblies, and other elements including library
features. The design library tab contains four default selections. each default selection contains
additional sub categories. the default selections are: • design library. • toolbox. • 3d content central
(internet access required). • solidworks content (internet access required).

To activate the solidworks toolbox. click tools, add-ins.., from the main menu. check the solidworks
toolbox library and solidworks toolbox utilities box from the add- ins dialog box or click solidworks
toolbox from the solidworks add-ins tab.

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INSERTING A SURFACE FINISH SYMBOL

1. Click Surface Finish on the Annotation toolbar, or click Insert > Annotations > Surface Finish
Symbol .
2. Set the properties in the PropertyManager.
3. Click in the graphics area to place the symbol.
• Multiple instances. Click as many times as necessary to place multiple copies.
• Editing each instance. You can change text and other items in the PropertyManager for
each instance of the symbol.
• Leaders. If the symbol has a leader, click once to place the leader, then click a second
time to place the symbol.
• Multiple leaders. While dragging the symbol and before placing it, press Ctrl. The note
stops moving and a second leader is added. While still holding Ctrl, click to place the
leader. Click as many times as necessary to place additional leaders. Release Ctrl and
click to place the symbol.

The symbol is oriented with respect to the angle of the attachment edge.

4. Click OK

WELDING SYMBOLS
Welding symbol on a mechanical drawing provide precise instruction for the welder. The weld
type and the location of each weld must be clearly defined using standardized symbols.

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TO CREATE WELD SYMBOLS

Solidworks has the option of creating the complete symbol while the part is being created or
after it has been put inside a drawing.

STEP 1

To create a weld bead, click on the Weldments tab on the Command Manager and click on Weld
Bead.

STEP 2

In the Property Manager, we can define the weld by using Weld Geometry or Weld Path.

The Weld Geometry allows two faces to be chosen so a weld bead can be laid between them. Weld
Path allows an edge to be selected where the weld bead will be placed.

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 Production Software Lab

STEP 3

Once the location is defined, the Weld Symbol dialogue box appears. Here we can add the weld type,
size, and direction information.

STEP 4

After finishing in the Weld Symbol dialogue window and completing the Weld Bead feature, the weld
symbol will appear. After saving the part, weld symbols can be brought into drawing views by using
Model Items on the Annotation tab.

Weld symbols can also be made directly in drawings. While in the drawing environment, the Weld
Symbol tool can be found on the Annotation Tab.The same dialog box as found in the part
environment is used to create the symbols. The weld symbol is placed by clicking on the desired
location of the weld. The weld symbol is now finished and will be snapped into place.

Department of Mechanical Engineering 26 Govt polytechnic college Perinthalmanna