SolidWorks

A Step-By-Step Guide
This packet will lead you through how to use the software program SolidWorks.
In this packet, you will find screenshots, step-by-step tutorials, and example
projects. I hope this packet will help you learn more about 3D Parametric
Modeling using the program SolidWorks.

Intro to Engineering
Meadville Middle School
Mr. Boyle

Getting Started
This page will show you how to open up SolidWorks and
create a new Part File.

Step 1 - Open Solidworks

Begin by Double Clicking on the SolidWorks 2013 Icon on your Desktop.

You may also click Start and search SolidWorks to find the program.

Step 2 - New Document

Click on the New Document tab in the upper

left corner of the screen. You can also move
your mouse over where it says Solidworks
and you can click File then New.

Step 3 - Document Type

The following window will then show up. Here you have three options for a new document.
You can select Part, Assembly, or Drawing. We will go over each one of these document types
in this packet, but for now, select Part and click OK.

Navigate Views

In this tutorial, we will go over different ways to view your

project. For this tutorial, we will be using a sample part.
Step 1 - Open Part
Begin by opening the filename GearExample. You can do this
by clicking the Open File icon in the upper left corner. Find
the document GearExample and open it.

Step 2 - Zoom in and Zoom Out

Begin by experimenting with Zooming in and

Zooming out. Do this by scrolling forwards and backwards using your mouse wheel. If at any time you
have lost your part or want to go back to the original
view click the Zoom to Fit button found in View
ToolBar in the top middle of the page or press F.

Step 3 - Change Views

To change to a specific view of the part, click on

the View Orientation button in the View Tool Bar.
A small window will appear with cubes showing
different sides colored. Each cube represents a
different view of the part. Experiment by clicking on
different views. If you ever need to go back to the
original view, click on the cube that is fully colored in,
that will bring you back to your Isometric view. You
can also click your mouse wheel to rotate the part.

Create a Sketch
Before we build any 3D Parts, we first need to make a 2D
Sketch. This tutorial will show the basics of 2D Sketching in
Solidworks. Begin by opening a new Part document.

Step One - Select Sketch Plane

Begin by clicking on the Extruded/Boss Base icon

in the upper left corner of the Tool Bar. Three sketch
planes will show up click on the plane you want to work
on.

Step Two - Begin Sketching

To begin Sketching, click on the Corner Rectangle Tool. Now click on

the vertex in the middle of the page and move your mouse towards the
upper right part of the screen to form a rectangle. Click again to create
the rectangle. Press ESC on your keyboard to exit the Rectangle Tool.
At this point you can click and drag any of the edge of your rectangle to
adjust its size.

Step Three - Dimensioning

We now need to add dimensions to our Rectangle. Begin by clicking the Smart Dimension
Icon in the Sketching Tool Bar. Now click on any side of your rectangle and move your mouse
outwards, you will see a number appear with some arrows. Click again and a window will
pop up. In this window you will type in the
dimension you want then press Enter
or cick the green check mark.

What is Fully-Constrained?

You will notice when you add enough

dimensions, the lines of your sketch will turn
from blue to black. This indicates your sketch is
fully constrained. This means there are no more
dimensions needed and every dimension in
that sketch has been defined.

Extrusions

Now that you have created your first 2D Sketch, we will now
make an Extrusion which will add depth and make it a 3D part.
Step One - Create a Sketch

Begin by creating a sketch using the rectangle tool like we did in the last tutorial.

Step Two - Exit Sketch and Change View

Click the Exit Sketch button in the top left corner of the
screen. The view will normally change and put you back into
3D mode, if the view doesnt change, use your navigation
tools to go to your original Isometric view.

Step Three - Define Extrusion Depth

In the left side of the screen a new window should have appeared
that says Boss-Extrude at the top. This window allows you to
specificy the depth of your extrusion. Look for the icon that says
D1 and has a double sided arrow beside it, this is where you
define the distance of your extrusion. Type in 1.50 nand click
the green check mark to activate the Extrusion. You have now
completed your first 3-Dimensional object.

Making Additional Extrusions

You can make additional extrusions on the faces of your

part. When doign this, follow the same steps as above,
the only difference is you might have to change your
views manually.

12.00

0.5

Part 1 - Arm

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

4.25

0.7

Part 2 - Pivot Rod

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

75

4.50

0.3

Part 3 - Rotation Arm

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

3.00

0.37

Part 4 - Rear Pivot Rod

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

0.75

0.2

Part 5 - Finger Pin

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

11.25
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11.25

Part 6 - Base

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

0.75

12
5

3.25

0.25

4.25

Part 7 - Gusset

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

Cut Extrusions

Extrusions not only can add material, but they can cut it away. In
this tutorial we will cut out a hole in a previous part.
Step One - Build a Cube
Begin by sketching and extruding a simple cube using the
tools we learned in the past few tutorials. Make the height
and width 1 inch, and then extrude to a depth of 1 inch.

Step Two - Extrude Cut

Find the Extruded Cut Icon in the tool bar at the top of the screen. Click this
icon and then click on the top face of your cube. Notice how your toolbar has now
changed to 2D Sketch mode. Use the view orientation tool and select the Top Face.
You are now ready to sketch.

Step Three - Sketch a Circle

Click the Circle tool in the Sketch Toolbar. Click once

the face of your part, drag out, then click again to make the
circle. Now use the General Dimension tool and make the
circles size .75 inches. Next we need to center our circle in
the middle of the part. Do this by clicking the centerpoint
of the circle with the Dimension Tool and then clicking the
left edge of the face and making that distance 0.5 inches.
Then click the center of the circle again and now click the
top edge and make the distance 0.5 inches. Your circle
should have turned black and is now fully constrained.

Step Four - Extrude Cut

Click Exit Sketch and use the View Orientation tool to go to an

Isometric View. On the left side of the screen is Cut Extrude options.
For the distance, type in 1.00 Inches and click the Green Check Mark to
see your final product.

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1.50

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0.75

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Part 8 - Support Collar

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

Fillets

In this tutotial we will learn how to create Fillets. This a great

Solidworks feature that allows us to create rounded edges.
Step One - Create a Cube

For this tutorial we will need a cube. I will be using a cube that measures 3 inches wide, 1.5
inches tall, and with a extrusion depth of 1.5 Inches.

Step Two - Create Fillets

You will then click on the Fillet icon in the toolbar. In the left side of
your screen a new window should show up that allows you to create and
edit Fillets. Begin by clicking on a edges of your cube (make sure Full
Preview is selected in the window on the left). You will see a preview
of what your fillet will look like. In the window on the left, change the
distance to .25 and click the green check mark.

Step Three - Using the Chamfer Tool

There is a slight varation of the Fillet tool, called the Chamfer Tool. Instead of making a
rounded edge, the Chamfer tool makes a 90 degree slant. The operation is the same as the
Fillet tool but to select the Chamfer tool, click on
the arrow directly below the Fillet Icon and select
Chamfer. Then select your edges, edit the size, and
click the green check mark.

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Part 9 - Stop Bar

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

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Part 10 - Sub Base

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

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Part 11 - Yoke Base

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

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Part 12 - Actuator Bracket

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

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Part 13 - Yoke Side

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

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Part 14 - Yoke Side With Mod

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

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Part 15 - Finger Clamp

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Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

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Part 16 - Pivot Block

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

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Part 17 - Bracket

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

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Part 18 - Wrist Block

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

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Part 19 - Fixed Finger

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

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Part 20 - Movable Finger

0.50

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

ITEM
NO.

QTY.

Part 10 - Sub Base

Part 7 - Gusset

Part 12 - Actuator Bracket

Sub Base Assembly

PART NUMBER

Part 8 - Support Collar

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

ITEM
PART NUMBER
NO.
1
Part 11 - Yoke Base
2
3
4

Yoke Base Assembly

Part 13 - Yoke Side

Part 14 - Yoke Side With Mod
Part 3 - Rotation Arm

QTY.
1
1
1
1

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

7
5

***One Inch Gap***

Arm Sub Assembly

ITEM
PART NUMBER
NO.
1
Part 16 - Pivot Block
***One
Inch Part 1 - Arm
Gap***
3
Part 15 - Finger Clamp
4
Part 18 - Wrist Block
5
Part 19 - Fixed Finger
6
Part 20 - Movable Finger
7
Part 5 - Finger Pin

QTY.
1
1
1
1
1
1
2

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm

4
5
7

ITEM
PART NUMBER
NO.
1 Part 6 - Base

3.5
8

Final Assembly

1.5

QTY.
1

Part 17 - Bracket

Sub Base Assembly

Yoke Base Assembly

Arm Assembly

Part 2 - Pivot Rod

Part 4 - Rear Pivot Rod

Part 9 - Stop Bar

Intro to Engineering - Robotic Arm