The Ultimate Guide to SOLIDWORKS Training - Advanced Part Modeling

SOLIDWORKS Training - Advanced Part Modeling

The goal of this course is to teach you how to build multibody and complex shape solid models using SOLIDWORKS mechanical design automation software. Most of the case studies and exercises in this course are taken from industrial type applications, and the lesson primarily center around working with solids. Surfacing functions are covered in depth in the Surface Modeling Course. 

The tools for modeling complex shapes in the SOLIDWORKS software are quite robust and feature rich. During this course, we will cover many of the commands and options in great detail. However, it is impractical to cover every minute detail and still have the course be a reasonable length.

Therefore, the focus of the course is on the fundamental skills, tools, and concepts central to successfully building multibody and complex shape models.

Once you have developed a good foundation in the skills covered in this course, you can refer to the on-line help for information on less frequently used command options. 

COURSE BREAKDOWN

Prerequisites

Students attending this course are expected to have the following:

• Mechanical design experience.
• Completed the course SOLIDWORKS Essentials
• Experience with the Windows operating system.
  
  

Course Design Philosophy

This course is designed around a process or task-based approach to training. Rather than focus on individual features and functions, a process-based training course emphasizes the processes and procedures you follow to complete a particular task. By utilizing case studies to illustrate these processes, you learn the necessary commands, options and menus in the context of completing a task. 

Laboratory Exercises

Laboratory exercises give you the opportunity to apply and practice the material covered during the lecture/demonstration portion of the course. They are designed to represent typical design and modeling situations while being modest enough to be completed during class time. You should note that many students work at different paces. Therefore, we have included more lab exercises than you reasonably expect to complete during the course. This ensures that even the fastest student will not run out of exercises. 

So What Will You Learn?

Lesson 1: Multibody Design Techniques
Lesson 2: Saving Solid Bodies
Lesson 3: Sketching with Splines
Lesson 4: Introduction to Sweeping
Lesson 5: Working with Curves
Lesson 6: Advanced Sweeping
Lesson 7: Boundary Feature and Lofting
Lesson 8: Other Advanced Tools

Lesson Breakdown 

Lesson 1: Multibody Design Techniques

This lesson will teach you how to: 

• Create multibody solids using a variety of techniques.
• Pattern solid bodies.
• Use feature scope options.
• Use the Insert Part command.
• Combine solid bodies using add, subtract, and common operations.
• Use the Intersect command.
• Deform a solid body using the Indent feature.
• Delete solid bodies.

Lesson 2: Saving Solid Bodies

This lesson will teach you how to:

• Use various techniques to split a part into multiple bodies.
• Save solid bodies as discrete part files.
• Create an assembly from a multibody part.
• Use the Split feature for direct editing. 

Lesson 3: Sketching with Splines

This lesson will teach you how to:

• Identify different types of sketched curves.
• Sketch with splines and style splines.
• Manipulate spline curvature using spline tools.
• Evaluate the curvature of sketch and solid geometry.
• Insert a sketch picture.
• Use the Fit Spline command. 

Lesson 4: Introduction to Sweeping

This lesson will teach you how to:

• Create boss and cut features by sweeping.
• Understand the Pierce relation.
• Create a sweep with guide curves.
• Create a mult-thickness shell.
• Use the Selection Manager. 

Lesson 5: Working with Curves

This lesson will teach you how to:

• Identify curve features.
• Create a 3D sketch.
• Create a helix.
• Create a 3D curve from orthogonal views.
• Create a composite curve from multiple entities.
• Create and use Library Feature Parts.
• Model threads.
• Understand how to improve performance with complex parts.
• Use the Split line tool.
• Sweep along model edges.
  
  

Lesson 6: Advanced Sweeping

This lesson will teach you how to:

• Understand sweep options.
• Apply profile orientation options to achieve the desired results when sweeping.
• Understand and apply the path twist options when sweeping.
• Understand the role of guide curves in controlling twist. 

Lesson 7: Boundary Feature and Lofting

This lesson will teach you how to:

• Create and compare loft and boundary features.
• Use faces for loft and boundary profiles.
• Understand how to use constraints for loft and boundary profiles.
• Reuse sketch geometry by copying and creating derived sketches.

Lesson 8: Other Advanced Tools

This lesson will teach you how to: 

• Understand the advanced options available with fillets.
• Apply advanced fillet types.
• Use the Wrap feature.
• Use the Deform feature.
• Use the Move Face command.

Conclusion

So there you have it. If you are interested in reserving a seat for the next SOLIDWORKS Advanced Part Modeling Course offered at Alignex, check out our training calendar for dates and locations. For any questions, feel free to reach out to our Training Coordinator by phone at (952) 288-2627 or by email at training@alignex.com 

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