Helical Sheet Metal Modeling

Ever needed to model a helical shaped bent/twisted/rolled sheet metal part in SolidWorks?  Sounds like fun huh?  Actually it is pretty simple with a few little tricks and the Lofted Bends command. 

Start by creating a helix based on a height and revolution.  As I am working with a single part for auger flighting, I am creating my shape for 1 revolution with the intent of add multiple instances in an assembly for final welding.  Second, I will create two perpendicular lines as independent sketches on two perpendicular planes.  Now we can create our Swept Surface using the Helix as a guide curve.

Next, we create an opening for the shaft by creating a sketch to match the ID of the flighting.  We create a Surface Trim command to remove this surface data.

 

Finally we are able to create two 3D Sketches by selecting each edge of the helical swept surface and using Convert Entities for each one.  With these two open profile 3D Sketches we can create a Lofted Sheet Metal feature.  All we need to do is select each one, and chose a thickness to apply.

There you have it a sheet metal lofted part based on a helical swept path!  Enjoy!

Brian Reel
CATI

SolidWorks Slot Mates

SolidWorks has given us some great enhancements over the years. One that I am finding really useful lately is the slot mate. This was released as an enhancement in 2014 but it seems to have been forgotten. Lets take a look at how it works.

To create a slot mate:

1. Click Mate (Assembly toolbar) or Insert > Mate.

2. In the PropertyManager, expand Mechanical Mates and select Slot.

3. For Mate Selections, select a slot face and the feature to mate to it:

There are four options you have to choose from once you select the Slot Mate:

1. Free Lets the component move freely in the slot.


2. Center in Slot Centers the component in the slot.


3. Distance Along Slot Places the component axis at a specified distance from the end of the slot.


4. Percent Along Slot Places the component axis at a distance specified by

the percentage of the slot length.

 

 

For slot-to-slot mates, you can select only Free or Center in Slot.

 

There are a couple of restrictions when using the slot mates. The slot radii have to be equal and the slot sides have to be parallel or concentric. Slots must not be open ended or have multiple directions.

 

Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

How often do you use SolidWorks' Recognize Feature?

Whenever you get a file from a customer and they use software other than SolidWorks they may send you IGES or STEP files.

When you open it, SolidWorks will ask you, Do you wish to run Import Diagnostics on this part and Do you want to proceed with feature recognition?

 

If you select No for both, you will get an Import1 body.

You say to yourself, "How can I work with this?"

SolidWorks makes it easy for you. Rather than saying No to both, say Yes to both.

When you say Yes to the Import Diagnostics, you will get a dialog box stating you have gaps or faulty faces. Click Attempt to heal all.

SW will do it's thing and you will see this.

Go ahead and click on the green check mark (OK).

You will then be asked Do You Want to Proceed With Feature Recognition. Click Yes and the Feature Works dialog box pops up.

Selecting appropriate Recognition Mode:

Automatic will automaticall recognize and highlight as many features as possible.

Interactive will allow you to selectthe feature type and the entities that make up the features that you want to recognize.

Feature Type gives you the capability of standard or sheet metal features.

and

Automatic Features will generate the features you have choosen.

Go ahead and click on the green check mark(OK) and you have your results.

Now we are ready to rock.

 

Roger G Ruffin Jr.

Application Engineer

Computer Aided Technology, Inc

SolidWorks Filters

SolidWorks Filters: Users often turn on filters without intending to do so, why?

This usually happens when we type new names for features in the Feature Manager Tree.

The SolidWorks' graphics area can become active if you bumped the touch pad or mouse stick on your laptop. The letter "e" is a shortcut (in the graphics area) to filter for edges and this turns on the blue funnel on our cursor. It also makes it impossible to select a model face to start a sketch.

Checkout the following video to see how it works:

 

 

 

 

Have You Seen the NEW SolidWorks Mechanical Conceptual?

If you haven't seen the NEW SolidWorks Mechanical Conceptual, join us for a Product Development Forum Event near you.  SolidWorks Mechanical Conceptual is a new tool that will help simplify your conceptual design process and expand innovation. Watch this short video to learn more. And, use the links below the video to regsiter for our Product Development Forum.

 

Product Development Forum Events:

• Wichita - May 6th - Register


• Kansas City, MO - May 7th - Register


• St. Louis - May 8th - Register


• Indianapolis - May 13th - Register


• Chicago Area - May 14 - Register


• Milwaukee Area - May 15th - Register

View the Full Agenda.

 

Jim TeDesco
Marketing Manager
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

How to change the order of parts on your SolidWorks BOM

A bill of material is a useful list of items that are currently in an assembly. The order the parts are listed in can be modified if need be. By default in SolidWorks the order is based on the same order the parts are brought into your assembly.

This order can be sorted by right clicking on the BOM and choosing sort.

Items can be manually dragged up and down in the BOM by grabbing the number that appears when the BOM is moused over.

You can even sort by the order the Balloons appear in the part. This must be done by clicking order sequentially when inserting the balloons. You then press the button "Select First Item". You pick the first item and the ballons will start from that item and go sequentially clockwise around the part.

Thanks,

Jordan Nardick, Elite AE
Applications Engineer
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

 

SolidWorks Inspection is here!

If your Quality Control department is still using a labor intensive process to create inspection reports, then you have to look at this video to do that work in a fraction of the time!

 

SolidWorks Inspection now integrates completely into SolidWorks 2014 SP3.0.  Whether you have a single license or a network license of SolidWorks, you will be able to balloon the drawing and export all the dimensions out to a custom Microsoft Excel template for any industry.

 

Thanks

Ketul

SOLIDWORKS, Duct Tape and Bailing Wire, Creative solutions to everyday problems

CATI's monthly contribution to the SolidWorks Blog was posted last week and SOLIDWORKS has a monthly 22 minute webinar series and for the month of May they have asked me to bring out some of my Redneck Workarounds.

The presentation is; SOLIDWORKS, Duct Tape and Bailing Wire, Creative solutions to everyday problems

The presentation focuses on is finding creative solutions and different methods of solving modeling and administrative problems. Attendees will learn how day-to-day modeling and administrative challenges are overcome with some inventive and sometimes bizarre methods.  The goal is to inspire SOLIDWORKS users to think more creatively and inventively for solving your every day design issues.

You have two opportunities to view the webinar on May 13th at 11am and 2pm Eastern time, to register please use the links below.

http://www.solidworks.com/webinar_solidworks_duct_tape_11am

http://www.solidworks.com/webinar_solidworks_duct_tape_2pm

To view the article use the link below.

http://blogs.solidworks.com/tech/2014/04/solidworks-duct-tape-and-bailing-wire-creative-solutions-to-everyday-problems.html

Josh Altergott

Support Manager

Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

www.cati.com

CATI's Product Development Forum Agenda Now Available

The start of our annual Product Development Forum is just a few weeks away.  The complete agenda is now available.  It is going to be a great event. Visit the CATI website to view the agenda and register.

Presentations Include:

• 3D Printing for Jigs, Fixtures, Molds, and Other Manufacturing Tools


• Working With SOLIDWORKS Electrical: Make the Jump From Schematic to 3D Design


• Leverage EXALEAD OnePart to Increase Engineering Productivity


• Harness the Power of ENOVIA PLM


• Predict and Avoid Manufacturing Defects With SOLIDWORKS Plastics


• 3D Printing Advanced Materials - Applications for ULTEM, Digital ABS, Nylon, Full Color Connex3, and More.


• SOLIDWORKS Mechanical Conceptual: Simplify Conceptual Design and Expand Innovation 

As always, there is no cost to attend and we will be serving a full breakfast to start the day. We are covering six cities during this year's series. 

• Wichita - May 6th - Register


• Kansas City, MO - May 7th - Register


• St. Louis - May 8th - Register


• Indianapolis - May 13th - Register


• Chicago Area - May 14 - Register


• Milwaukee Area - May 15th - Register

We hope to see you at a Product Development Forum event near you. One lucky attendee will win a Google Nexus 7 tablet!

Jim TeDesco
Marketing Manager
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

Dynamic Tests: What, When and Why?

In linear static analysis, the loads are applied gradually and slowly until they reach their full magnitude. After reaching their full magnitude, the loads remain constant (time-invariant). The accelerations and velocities of the excited system are negligible, therefore, no inertial and damping forces are considered in the formulation:

When loads applied vary with time, inertial and damping effects cannot be ignored, static studies do not give accurate results. Linear dynamic studies use natural frequencies and mode shapes to evaluate the response of structures to dynamic loading environments. You can define:

• Modal time history studies to define loads and evaluate response as functions of time.

A baseball bat undergoes a shock load when it hits the ball. To understand complete response in the bat this shock wave needs to be analyzed. Simply applying a static load will lead to over designing the bat and make it very heavy

• Harmonic studies to define loads as functions of frequency and evaluate the peak response at various operating frequencies.

• Random vibration studies to define random loads in terms of power spectral densities and evaluate the response in terms of the overall root mean square values or power spectral densities at various frequencies. Use a random vibration study to calculate the response due to non-deterministic loads. Examples of non-deterministic loads include:
  
  
  
  • Loads generated on a wheel of a car traveling on a rough road
  
  
  • base accelerations generated by earthquakes
  
  
  • pressure generated by air turbulence
  
  
  • Pressure from sea waves or strong wind
  
  
  
  

In a random vibration study, loads ( as the image above) are described statistically by power spectral density functions. The solution of random vibration problems is formulated in the frequency domain. After running the study, you can plot root-mean-square (RMS) values, or psd results of stresses, displacements, velocities, etc. at a specific frequency or graph results at specific locations versus frequency values. 

• Response Spectrum studies to estimate peak responses over time for a system subjected to a particular base motion descibed in terms of a design spectrum.In a response spectrum analysis, the results of a modal analysis are used in terms of a known spectrum to calculate displacements and stresses in the model. For each mode, a response is read from a design spectrum based on the modal frequency and a given damping ratio. All modal responses are then combined to provide an estimate of the total response of the structure.

Rajat Trehan

Product Manager

Computer Aided Technology Inc.

In-House 3D Printer Pays for Itself Within 3 Months

Dimension 3D Printer Powers Freedom of Design at Black & Decker

Black & Decker is a world leading name in DIY products used in and around the home. It is also the world’s largest producer of power tools and accessories.

Typically, it used to take Black & Decker three to five days to get a prototype back from an outside service bureau and it would cost money each time a part was sent.

The Black & Decker design team decided to purchase a Stratasys Dimension 3D printer. Now they are able to produce more prototypes in-house and shorten their development cycles.

Parts that previously took three days can now be ready in just a few hours and Black & Decker saw the Dimension 3D Printer pay for itself within three months.

Download the Stratasys Black & Decker Case Study to for the complete story.

Jim TeDesco
Marketing Manager
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

Quick VFD With Black Box Symbols - SolidWorks Electrical

One of the lesser known or used symbols in SolidWorks Electrical is the black box.  I am going to show you how to create a VFD for your schematic page with just that symbol.  

Start by having your motor branch drawn out.  Along with that, have control circuits that you want to use drawn in as well.  You can do these in separate objects or as shown here, one black box symbol.

 

With the branch and control drawn, you can insert your black box symbol as shown.

 

 

Once you have done that, the symbol has several terminals and circuits created for you.  I named mine VFD1 or whatever you would like to name your drive. 

 

Then go in and select the Mfg Part tab to view the circuits.  For this next step I will go in then and modify my power terminals and circuits.  Once I have those, I will go and modify the circuits for my control to what I need for the drive. 

 

These circuits are typically different for everybody, but generically this will convey the idea.  A completed drive is now in your schematic page and you could create a macro for that drive for the next time.

Corey Kubichka
Product Manager - SolidWorks Electrical
Computer Aided Technology, Inc.

How to Setup and Import ECO changes with 3DQPress inside SolidWorks

Welcome to Setup and Import ECO changes inside unfolded 3DQPress model.

After the model has been imported SolidWorks assigns a different ID code to every model. In this blog, I will explain the 3DQPress process on how to use the original model, import the ECO changes, and then update the unfolded model.

Setup

1. Import the model, and then save the file name as needed then close the file.

2. Using SolidWorks open a new part file.

3. From the top ribbon select Insert\Part.

4. Select the rename imported part and click the check OK.

5. SolidWorks opens the insert part options dialog menu as shown below.

6. The only transfer we need is the Solid Bodies.

7. After completing the process, now we have a part file referencing the original model that was imported.

8. The user can tell the reference is active by the -> shown in the tree by the part file.

9. The next step is to lock the reference.

10. Right click on the ECO change part in the tree and select from the menu List External Reference.

11. From the External Reference menu select Lock All.

12. After selecting the Lock All, SolidWorks lock the reference to the original imported model by the ->* shown in the tree by the part file.

13. Now the model is ready for the 3DQPress Unfolding process.

3DQPress Unfolding

1. Start the Unfold process by selecting 3DQPressicon on the 3DQPress Unfolding toolbar.

2. Select the highlighted face as the fixed face; click OK to start unfolding the model.

3. Click OK to accept the bend allowance.

4. Right click on the Sheetmetal Object and unfold all.

5. Now the model is ready for the ECO change.

ECO Rev B Imported

1. Import the new ECO model into SolidWorks and save the part file as the revision. Caution: Be careful not to re-name the new model same as the original.



2. Open the original model.

3. From the 3DQPress Punch Design toolbar select the QPMisc. Tools.

4. From the pull down menu, select the QT Selection toolbar.

5. Right click the top face of the ECO Rev B model and select tangency.

6. Roll the model to the other side, hold the Ctrl button and right click the bottom surface, select tangency.

7. With the top and bottom surface highlighted, select from the 3DQPress Selection menu the copy surface icon.

8. The 3DQPress Copy Faces command will save the selected surfaces to the notepad referencing the Origin location of the model.

9. From the SolidWorks top ribbon, select Window to open to the reference file ECO Change.

10. With the 3DQPress Selection menu still open select the paste faces command.

11. 3DQPress imports the top and bottom surfaces from the ECO Rev B model at the same Origin as the reference model.

12. Now the Referencing model can be updated to the new ECO Rev B change, and because the ref. is still locked it will not affect the unfolded model until you unlock the referencing updating the model when you decide limiting the affects of the SolidWorks ID.

13. Reorder the surfaces in the tree above the Imported1 feature.



14. Make the changes to the model referencing the surfaces using SolidWorks modeling techniques, and then hide all reference surfaces.

Update the Unfolded Model with ECO Rev B Changes

1. With both models open in SolidWorks, right click on the ECO Change part file.

2. From the External Reference menu select Unlock All.

3. The model will update adding the ECO Rev B change.

4. Select the 3DQPress Unfolding tab and Show Original Solid and Show Unfolding Model.



5. With both models showing, you can see the difference in the undated model and the “waiting on a rebuild” 3DQPress Model.

6. When you are ready, right click on the Sheet Metal Object and select rebuild to add the ECO Rev B update.

Ronnie C Flaugh

Technical Analyst