Computer-aided drawing SolidWorks

Welcome to my blog about computer aided drawing! My name is Nurlan Ospanov and I am currently a first year student at Nazarbayev University, majoring in Robotics-Mechatronics science. As a robotics student we usually have lab sessions related to the designing and construction of a three-dimensional solid objects. Recently, we are learning to design various types of infrastructural designs with SolidWorks program. I have always interested in the area of engineering construction, and this program has provided a deep understanding of the principles of modelling. In this post I will give general information about this SolidWorks program.

SolidWorks

A computer hardware becoming more powerful and faster every year, and gives an opportunity to work with high capable software programs. SolidWorks is one of the useful software program, aimed for a construction and modelling of a three-dimensional objects. This program allows to engineers to quickly represent their ideas in a sketch, to experiment elements and sizes, also helps to create models and detailed drawings. The main purpose of SolidWorks is providing a process of designing of engineering analysis and manufacture of products with any complexity and appointment, by including creation of interactive documentation and the exchange of data with other systems.

Instruments and possibilities of the base module

SolidWorks program is a computeraided design, which uses usual graphical interface of Microsoft Windows.

On the left side of the SolidWorks window displays information about Feature Manager, which contains parameters and configuration of the model of the creating object. Feature manager allowsmanage with the elements of the creation model and make changes on theconstruction of the part at any stage of the design. It contains all the necessary tools, such are required for the process of designing. For example, zoom and rotation of model, creation of analytical cuts, extruded boss, revolved boss etc.

Interface of SolidWorks program

The program is able to identify the length, mass characteristics, angles measurement of any a three-dimensional solid model.

A process of creating a model begins with the construction of a basic body, and then continues with adding or subtracting of material. For the construction of body, at first we will construct a sketch of the component on the plane, subsequently transform it to a solid body. SolidWorks contains the complete set of functions of geometrical constructions and editing operations: 

• lines, circles, splines
• trim and extend lines
• mirror display and copy the object
• do rounding and chamfer and etc.

Then transform it to a solid body. Tools for building three-dimensional solid elements:

• extruded boss/base: extrudes a sketch or selected contour in any direction
•  revolved boss/base: revolves a sketch around an axis to build a solid bady
• extruded cut: cuts a sketched region on a solid object
•  shell: create a thin-walled feature, by removing material from a solid body and etc.

This blog tried to give a general and basic information about this program and designing process and argued that it is conventional program to design any architectural and engineering projects.

Reference list:

GeneratorVermont, "Intro to Solidworks". http://generatorvermont.com/event/intro-to-solidworks/  (accessed 24 September, 2014).

Solidworks. "FeatureManager Design Tree Overview". 

http://help.solidworks.com/2014/English/SolidWorks/sldworks/c_featuremanager_design_tree_overview.htm (accessed 26 September, 2014).