LAB # 01

Objective:
 Introduction to SolidWorks user interface
INTRODUCTION:
SolidWorks:
SOLIDWORKS is a modeling computer-aided design(CAD) and computer-aided
engineering(CAD) computer program that runs on Microsoft Windows. The software is a
mechanical design automation application that lets designers quickly sketch out ideas,
experiment with features and dimensions, and produce models and detailed drawings. This
document discusses concepts and terminology used throughout the SOLIDWORKS
application.

SOLID WORKS Interface Overview:

The SOLIDWORKS application includes user interface tools and capabilities to help you
create and edit models efficiently.
SOLID WORKS Document Window
SOLIDWORKS document windows have two panels. The left panel or Manager Panel. The
following illustrations identify the main elements of the SOLIDWORKS user interface:

 Menu Bar
 Toolbars
 Command Manager
 Property manager
 Configuration Manager
 Feature Manager Design Tree Filter
 Status Bar
 Task pane
 Graphics area
 Solid works search

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Menu Bar
Top most of the application, executing New File, Open File, Save, Print, Undo, Select, Rebuild,
File Properties and Options.

Figure1.1: Menu bar of SOLID WORKS

Toolbars
You can access SOLIDWORKS functions using toolbars. Toolbars are organized by function,
for example, the Sketch or Assembly toolbar. Each toolbar comprises individual icons for
specific tools, such as Rotate View, Circular Pattern, and Circle.
When you select items in the graphics area or Feature Manager design tree, context toolbars
appear and provide access to frequently performed actions for that context.
The tools in the context toolbar are a subset of items previously found on the shortcut menus.

Figure1.2: Toolbar of SOLID WORKS

Command Manager
The Command Manager is a context-sensitive toolbar that dynamically updates based on the
active document type. When you click a tab below the Command Manager, it updates to show
the related tools. Each document type, such as part, assembly, or drawing, has different tabs
defined for its tasks. The content of the tabs is customizable, similar to toolbars. For example,
if you click the Features tab, tools related to features appear. You can also add or delete tools
to customize the Command Manager. Tooltips display when you hover over each icon.

Figure1.1: Command Manager of SOLID WORKS

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Feature Manager Design Tree
The Feature Manager design tree on the left side of the SOLIDWORKS window provides an
outline view of the active part, assembly, or drawing. This makes it easy to see how the model
or assembly was constructed or to examine the various sheets and views in a drawing.

Figure1.1: Feature Manager design tree in SOLID WORKS

Property Manager Overview
The Property Manager is a means to set properties and other options for many SOLIDWORKS
commands.The Property Manager appears on the Property Manager tab in the panel to the
left of the graphics area. It opens when you select entities or commands defined in the Property
Manager. You can choose whether it opens in other cases in Tools > Options > System
Options > General.

Figure1.1: Property Manager in SOLID WORKS

Configuration Manager
The Configuration Manager is a means to create, select, and view multiple configurations of
parts and assemblies in a document.

Figure1.1: Configuration Manager in SOLID WORKS

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Status Bar
The status bar at the bottom of the SOLIDWORKS window provides information related to the
function you are performing.

Figure1.1: Status bar in SOLID WORKS

Task Pane
The Task Pane provides access to SOLIDWORKS resources, libraries of reusable design
elements, views to drag onto drawing sheets, and other useful items and information.

Figure1.1: Task Pane in SOLID WORKS

Graphics Area
The graphics area displays and lets you manipulate parts, assemblies, and drawings.

Figure1.1: Graphics area of SOLID WORKS

How to start Solid Works:
Building a model in SolidWorks usually starts with a 2D sketch (although 3D sketches are
available for power users).
 I Opened the software, a window appeared.
 I clicked on New file, the following window will open.

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The description of parts/ geometry, assembly and drawing is given below:
Parts:
The sketch consists of geometry such as points, lines, arcs, conics (except the hyperbola), and
splines. Dimensions are added to the sketch to define the size and location of the geometry.
Relations are used to define attributes such as tangency, parallelism, perpendicularity, and
concentricity. The parametric nature of SolidWorks means that the dimensions and relations
drive the geometry, not the other way around. The dimensions in the sketch can be controlled
independently, or by relationships to other parameters inside or outside of the sketch.
Assembly:
In an assembly, the analog to sketch relations are mates. Just as sketch relations define
conditions such as tangency, parallelism, and concentricity with respect to sketch
geometry, assembly mates define equivalent relations with respect to the individual parts or
components, allowing the easy construction of assemblies. It also includes additional advanced
mating features such as gear and cam follower mates, which allow modeled gear assemblies to
accurately reproduce the rotational movement of an actual gear train.
Drawings:
Finally, drawings can be created either from parts or assemblies. Views are automatically
generated from the solid model, and notes, dimensions and tolerances can then be easily added
to the drawing as needed. The drawing module includes most paper sizes and standards.

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 Lab#02

Objectives:
 To create Allen Key
 To create a square part and engrave text to part
 To design a sheet metal bend.
 To create a Laptop Structure and create four holes in its center.
 To create a Rectangular Keyring and engrave text to part.

Theory:
Basic libraries in Solid works:

1. Features:
This library (is used to draw features of an object. After forming 2-D image of required object,
it is necessary to add some features in it. For this purpose, we have to give it third dim. As
height of object. Then, we may use commands of extrude boss, extruded cut, revolved boss,
revolved cut, fillet, swept etc.

Figure2.1: Features
Some of the features are explained below:
Extruded boss/base:
It extrudes base features and other features using Extrude (2D to 3D toolbar) with partial
sketches.
Swept boss/base:
It sweeps a closed profile along an open or closed path to create a solid feature.
Extruded cut:
It cuts the drawn sketch through the face. Depth of the cut can be varied.
Hole wizard:
This command is used to insert a hole using a pre-defined cross section.
Fillet:
Fillet/Round creates a rounded internal or external face on the part. You can fillet all edges of
a face, selected sets of faces, selected edges, or edge loops.
Rib:
This command adds a thin-walled support to a solid body.

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2. Sketch:
This library has great importance in drawing or sketching of an object. Its first library block
that is used in this software for starting the 2D diagram of an object, so that it may prepare for
the further operations. It includes commands such as line, rectangle, square, circle and arc that
can be draw from 2 and 3 points according to desired object.

Figure2.2: Sketch
Smart dimensions:
It is used to give the dimensions of lengths.
Line:
This command is used to draw sketch of an object, when it has to be started from simple
lines.
Rectangle:
This command is used to draw a rectangle and dimensioned it after sketching of a square.
Circle:
This command is used to draw a circle on given place according to our desired diagram.
Arc:
This command is used to draw an arc by using two- or three-point arc, according to our need.
Polygon:
It is the command use when we have to draw a figure more than three sides. The size of a
polygon can be set by using smart dimensions commands.
Offset:
It offsets one or more sketch entities, selected model edges, or model faces by a specified
distance. For example, you can offset sketch entities such as splines or arcs, sets of model
edges, loops, and so on.
Lab Task 1:
To create Allen Key

Procedure:
 I opened the software and clicked on New file.
 I selected front plane and enabled sketch.
 I Draw an ‘L’ using line command.
 Then fillet the vertex of the ‘L’ and set the angle of fillet.
 I Draw a hexagon in such a way that the L passes perpendicularly through its center.
 Use swept boss/base command to make an Allen Key with hexagonal cross section.

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  I clicked on front side of key and write my name on front side by using text command
in sketch
 I selected Extruded cut command and applied it to the text.

Figure2.3: Allen key

Task No 2:
To create a square part and engrave text to part.

Procedure:
 I opened New file, selected front plane and enabled sketch.
 I draw a 2x2 inch square using center rectangle command.
 I extruded the square and set the extrusion length to 0.5in.
 I used text command to write “Sumia Masood” on the square surface of cuboid.
 I extrude cut the text. Set the extrusion length less than the cuboid thickness.

Figure2.4: Square part engraved with text

Task No 3:
To design a sheet metal bend.

Procedure:
 I opened New file, selected front plane and enabled sketch.
 First, I draw ‘L shape’ using line command and by using offset command, I made a
closed shaped object.

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  I Extruded the above shape to convert it into 3D object.
 Using metal sheets bends I created a bend in the above shape.
 I used Text command to write my name on Sheet then I engraved my name on it using
Extrude cut command.

Figure2.5: Sheet metal bend

Task No 4:
To create a Laptop Structure and create four holes in its center.

Procedure:
 I opened New file, selected front plane and enabled sketch.
 Using offset command, I made a closed shaped object.
 I extruded the above shape to convert it into 3D object.
 Then Extruded Cut four holes in its central surfaces.
 I used Text command to write my name on Sheet then I engraved my name on it using
Extrude cut command.

Figure2.6: Laptop with holes

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Task No 5:
To create a Rectangular Keyring and engrave text to part.

Procedure:
 I opened New file, selected front plane and enabled sketch.
 I draw a rectangle using corner rectangle command then sketched a chamfer on its one
corner and fillet on all of its corners.
 Then by using the extrude command and extruded the Rectangle.
 Then I extruded cut 4 circles on the top of rectangle.

Figure2.7: Keyring engraved with text

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