Sheet Metal Guy Blog

13 Jul 2007   03:42:38 pm
Modeling a transition in AutoCAD
Creating a 3D model of a rectangle to round transition is easier than most think. Let’s try it. Start by creating a rectangle of the desired size (use the ‘Line’ command), let’s use 12 x 5 for this example. To keep the math easy, use 0,0 for the first corner point. Then key-in the other corner as the size of the rectangle. Select the ‘Rectangle’ command from the Draw menu. Type the following coordinates at the command prompt: 0,0 12,5 ‘Zoom Extents’ to display the rectangle. Now for the round end of the transition! Actually we won’t draw it round, but will use a ‘Polygon’ command to make 16 segments around the circle. The number of segments should be a multiple of 4. The radius will be specified as a Polar Coordinate to also tell AutoCAD the rotation of the polygon. We want a point at 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees. To calculate the angle, divide 180 by the number of segments or sides. So a 12 sided polygon would use a rotation value of 15. Pull down the Draw menu and select ‘Polygon’. Enter number of sides: 16 Specify center of polygon or [Edge]: 6,2.5,10 Enter an option [Inscribed in circle/Circumscribed about circle]: C Specify radius of circle: @3<11.25 This creates a polygon with a diameter of 6 at the center of the rectangle. The height of the transition is 10. Therefore the Z value for the center point is 10. If the round is to be offset from the center of the rectangle, add the offset values to the X and Y of the Polygon center location. Time to create the bend lines! Make sure the ‘Osnap’ includes ‘Endpoint’. Then create lines connecting the points of the polygon to the corners of the rectangle. Look at my picture as a guide. You should have 20 bend lines. Almost done, you still need a seam where the edges of the sheet metal will meet. If the transition is to be made in two pieces, there will be two seams. Create one more line from the polygon to the ‘Midpoint’ of the long edge of the rectangle. You may need to adjust your ‘Osnap’ for this. From the View menu, choose ‘3D Views’, ‘SW Isometric’ to switch to an isometric view of the model. You should now have a 3D model of your Rectangle to Round transition. But that is the easy part. What you really want is the flat pattern layout, right? Well I am saving that for next time.
		Category : AutoCAD | By : SheetMetalGuy | Comments [129] | Trackbacks [3804]
12 Jul 2007   01:56:00 pm
The Menu Bar Toolbar
One of the first things you’ll notice about your new SolidWorks 2008 is that the menu bar has drastically changed. SolidWorks has been redesigned to try to make maximum use of screen space. Most users tend to use the CommandManager or toolbars to access commands while doing their work. Not a lot of people use the pull downs regularly to access the commands. Since that is the case, the new Menu Bar contains the most used tools from the “Standard” toolbar, the SolidWorks menus, the SolidWorks Search tool, and a “Help” flyout menu. What’s cool is that when you move your mouse over the SolidWorks logo, the hidden SolidWorks menus appear. It takes a second or two for them to appear. If you don’t think this is cool, or just think it wastes too much time, don’t worry. At the right of the menus is the Pin button. Just click the Pin button to keep the menus visible. You can still customize the menus to hide the choices that you don’t need. The “Standard” toolbar can also be customized allowing you to place any buttons that you want at the top of your SolidWorks window.
		Category : SolidWorks | By : SheetMetalGuy | Comments [111] | Trackbacks [4312]
28 Jun 2007   11:42:00 am
SolidWorks Built-In Calculator
I learned something new this week. I was playing with the Modify dialog box for the monthly SolidWorks Tip, SolidWorks Built-In Calculator. I knew that simple calculations like subtracting two values or entering a fractional value could be done. But I didn’t know that more advanced calculations could be done, like sine and cosine. I found a whole list of functions that are listed for equations that all work in the Modify dialog box. So, I took it one step further and tried to assign a variable in Equations, I then tried to use that variable in the Modify dialog box. It did not work. I tried the variable name by itself, in quotes, with $VAR, but nothing. Oh well. At least I found that the other functions can be used. I’ve tried them before but I was entering them wrong. SolidWorks is very specific on how the function has to be entered. For example, if you want the square root of 74, you have to enter “sqr (74)”. Once you realize that you have to use parenthesis, the rest is pretty straight forward. I know that this is pretty basic for some, but I don’t ever recall this being in any of the SolidWorks documentation or help files. Sign up for Sheet Metal Guy SolidWorks Tips and Tricks here.
		Category : SolidWorks | By : SheetMetalGuy | Comments [96] | Trackbacks [8685]
14 Jun 2007   01:53:44 pm
Books now on Amazon.com
In looking for book about SolidWorks, I noticed that most books were available through Amazon.com. A few miscellaneous books are for sale on Ebay, but the majority of people, I guess, use Amazon.com. Although we have been selling the majority of our books directly, it has been decided to help the customer keep things simple and avoid frustration. Obviously I want everyone to have our new book. It’s a must have for every SolidWorks user. But more importantly, the consumer comes first. That means that whatever will make it easier for the consumer to find exactly what they need in the shortest amount of time, I am proud to say that all our books are available on Amazon.com. The description page gives a brief editorial review and product details. Unfortunately, it is hard to describe in words how valuable our books really are. You have to see for yourself. Many have told us how practical and easy to follow our books are. I look forward to future releases and hope the same success of the first four books will continue on. Customizing SolidWorks for Greater Productivity SolidWorks For The Sheet Metal Guy - Course 1: Part Creation SolidWorks For The Sheet Metal Guy - Course 2: Hole Patterns and Notches SolidWorks For The Sheet Metal Guy - Course 3: Unfolding
		Category : SolidWorks | By : SheetMetalGuy | Comments [88] | Trackbacks [3513]
13 Jun 2007   03:36:41 pm
Creating an Obround or Slot in AutoCAD
As you already know, the Fillet command is a great tool to quickly trim/extend two entities to meet and eliminate any gap between them. Just set the radius value to zero and pick the two items. But the Fillet command is also a great way to create an obround shape or slot as some people call it. Start by drawing a line the length of the obround. Then copy this line parallel to itself by the width of the obround. Now it is time for the Fillet command. Start the Fillet command and don’t worry about the radius. Just pick the two lines. Since they are parallel and will never intersect, the Fillet command creates a 180 degree arc to connect the lines. The radius of the arc is ½ the distance between the lines. Now do it again at the other end of the lines. That is certainly a lot easier than drawing circles with tangent lines and then trimming everything.
		Category : AutoCAD | By : SheetMetalGuy | Comments [84] | Trackbacks [4528]
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