Has this ever happened to you? I just extruded cylinder and I’m looking at it from the top, but the profile doesn’t look circular at all! In fact, I can see 14 distinct, flat, edges. I know I created this from a circle, so what’s the deal? Did my SOLIDWORKS completely break? Of course not! […]
Read more...SOLIDWORKS PDM allows us to build up our approval process using a feature called Workflow. As we push our files through our custom workflow, all of the appropriate managers and personnel responsible for approving these files are automatically notified along the way.
Read more...SOLIDWORKS MBD helps companies define, organize, and publish 3D Product Manufacturing Information (PMI) including 3D model data in industry standard file formats such as eDrawings’ and 3DPDF. Unlike traditional 2D drawings, SOLIDWORKS MBD guides the manufacturing process directly in 3D, which helps streamline production, cut cycle time, reduce errors, and support industry standards.
Read more...In just a couple of minutes, with just a few clicks, SOLIDWORKS Plastics makes it easy for you to make informed decisions based on molding plastic parts.
Read more...Does anybody else get really frustrated when they open a bag of chips and see mostly air? I’m sure this air has a purpose, but you can’t help feeling…
Read more...Think designing an injection molded plastic part is easy? Try hitting up your favorite internet search engine with ‘guidelines for plastic part design’. You’ll find a litany of material on the subject. After about 20 minutes you’ll start to wonder ‘so if I can’t do this, and I certainly can’t do THAT’ what can I do???’ Still, you’re tasked with this project. You bury your head in the literature, and somehow you struggle your way through it. You modify your part so it has uniform wall thickness. You ensure it’s got ample draft. You adjust your ribs and fillets to be about half and one third of your nominal thickness, respectively. You’re good right? You followed all the directions in the literature, so your part is sure to come out right!
Read more...With the use of SOLIDWORKS Composer, assembly instruction images and parts lists are a breeze! I’m going to utilize three specialized tools, and get this task in the amount of time it takes brew a cup of coffee.
Read more...Most of us have dreamed of a simpler life ‘ one that allows us to enjoy more freedom and less stress. However, the reality of our everyday life seems to push us in the opposite direction. This complexity can even be reflected in the way we do our jobs, and as CAD users in the way we model. Luckily, if you happen to be a SOLIDWORKS user, there is a tool that will help you simplify your models. Whether you want to reduce the complexity of your models to improve performance, or to generate a version for FEA, you will find the Simplify tool very useful.
Read more...Have you ever tried to use the Compare tool in PDM Professional (or Enterprise PDM)? View the History for a file, Ctrl + click on two version of a file and then hit the Compare Button. While it’s great that it can tell us that the versions are different, that’s not extremely helpful. However, this message does hint at something we can do to get something more helpful. It’s telling us we can map this command to a move advanced compare tool in the PDM Administration tool.
Read more...Looking at wiring diagrams or schematics can be intimidating sometimes, there is a lot going on in just a 2D drawing. Think of schematics as treasure maps, it’s basically telling us where to find things, and let’s face it, treasure maps are fun therefore schematics are too! I’m going to show you how easy it is to create your own schematic using SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematics. For now, we will only cover the basics of drawing some wires and adding symbols but, I guarantee you will want to learn more after you see how easy this is! Let’s start out on a blank sheet.
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