Solidworks Project: Learning the Ropes - Entry #10

 Basic Techniques - Revolves and Sweeps

This entry is a continuation of the basic theory conveyed in SolidWorks Project: Learning the Ropes - Entry #1, where a 3D model of a pressure plate was created. As stated in Entry #1, the theory being tested in this blog series is based upon the internal tutorial program embedded within Solidworks, which is rumored to be all that is needed to reach intermediate to advanced level understanding of the software, with additional sources only needed for specialized uses or integration with other programs such as Blender for 3D printing. This series will document the progress of a first year engineering student with no prior experience with computer aided engineering design to weigh the theory based on outcomes. 

The process demonstrated followed the tutorials presented through the software itself, with no external assistance from other instructional sources.

Entry #10 picks up where Entry #9 left off in the process of modeling a candlestick with sweep feature. The next step is to utilize the revolve feature.

In this lesson, you create the candlestick shown below. This lesson demonstrates:

• Creating a revolve feature

• Creating a sweep feature

• Creating an extruded cut feature with a draft angle 

Having completed the Revolve Profile, it is time to utilize the revolve feature in order to turn our candlestick’s profile into a fully dimensional object. It is called a revolve feature because it takes the candlestick profile we created (Fig. 1) and adds a centerline to the internalmost plane of the item, which is the side of the profile that was straight. This centerline serves as a rotational point, referred to as the Axis of Revolution, where the candlestick profile is spun 360 degrees, filling in the remainder of the symmetric portions of the candlestick (Figs. 2-5).

The next section is Sketching the Sweep Path. The first few steps consist of little more than changing the view, revealing the center line, then finally using the centerline as an origin from which the first line of the Sweet Path from which the sweep/handle will be formed. From the end of this line, a Tangent Arc will be placed to form one sweeping feature, and on the end of that arc another Tangent Arc will be placed to make a finger loop for the candlestick.  Proper dimensioning these features completes this task, while the remainder of the section encourages exploration of relations between each feature.

Figs 11-13 show the process of drawing the sweeping feature path down to the base of the candlestick. This is done by selecting the Smart Dimension tool, then selecting the center points of the base and the sweep path, then changing the dimension.

Next, an Ellipse is formed using the Ellipse tool and Smart Dimensions. It’s easiest to add these dimensions by clicking points opposite each other, establishing the dimension, then repeating for opposite points. Figs. 14-16.

Figs. 17-21 show the process of moving the ellipse to the base of the candlestick, where the sweep path intersects the centerline. The centerline is then hidden and its time to Exit Sketch in preparation for the sweep.

Using the Swept Boss/Base tool on the Features toolbar reveals Sketch3 and Sketch2 in the PropertyManager. Selecting these seems easy enough, but the actual sweep path graphic line will need to be selected in order to reveal a preview of the actual sweep. This reveals a really cool aspect of the coincident relation formed between the ellipse and the sweep: the sweep’s diameters are that of the ellipse. Figs. 22 & 23.

The final step to complete the part is to create a hole for the candle to be inserted into the candlestick. This has proven to be very difficult despite very clear instructions on what to do.  Troubleshooting is required in order to proceed, which will be discussed in the next entry.  

Conclusion: The majority of this tutorial has been very clear, although the training wheels are coming off and some of the instructions require referencing prior instructions to complete. The last step being problematic may be a result of accidental clicks which tend to disable the intended progression of the tutorial, or an error in the computer rendering the image - It appears that I am performing the proper extruded cut, but the image rendered with a piece missing, leading me to believe that I somehow cut out the wrong spot.

Fig. 1. The model is currently 2 dimensional- a profile outline of a candlestick.

Fig. 2. 

Fig. 3. A centerline was added to create an Axis of Revolution.

Fig. 4.  The candlestick profile is spun upon the Axis of Revolution to create a 360 degree version of the profile.

Fig. 5. The 3D candlestick now has a definite form.

Fig. 6. Selecting the front plane via the FeatureManager is easy enough.

Fig. 7. Re-establishing the centerline.

Fig. 8. Using the centerline, a line is drawn and sized. This will become the sweep.

Fig. 9. The first of two Tangent Arcs is drawn and dimensioned.

Fig. 10. Another Tangent Arc is added to the end of the prior.

Fig. 11. The current dimension of the sweep path from the candlestick base.

Fig. 12. Using Smart Dimension to change the dimension.

Fig. 13. The dimension change draws the sweep path to the desired distance from the base of the candlestick.

Fig. 14. Drawing an ellipse starts with a circle, then dragging the edges into the desired shape.

Fig. 15. Selecting the points from which a dimension is determined allows for values to be added, which reshape the ellipse.  

Fig. 16.   After correcting a mistake from not having properly selected the right points, the ellipse is finally complete.

Fig. 17. A relation is formed between the origin of the sweep path and the ellipse.

Fig. 19 

Fig. 20.  The features are connected by forming a Coincident Relation between the sweep path origin point and the center of the ellipse. 

Fig. 21. Once the sketch is exited, the image shows a bit more of the relation of the ellipse to the sweep path and candlestick base.

Fig. 22. The preview of the sweep. Noted the elliptical shape to the handle.

Fig. 23. The finished sweep in isometric view with shaded edges.