Design Tables in SolidWorks are powered using Microsoft Excel. With Design Tables and Excel, it is possible to drive the size of parts (and assemblies) creating different configurations. The example in the video below shows how a washer can be controlled and driven using a Design Table and Excel. It is also possible to add further intelligence by using formulae in Excel to drive a part based on certain goals.

Design Tables in SolidWorks are typically the first step people take in automating their designs and to create different configurations.

Note: when switching between configurations (as in the video below), simple double left-click on a configuration (e.g. M16) to activate that configuration.

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On a side note, in case you didn’t get to attend the Whats New 2011, its now possible to use an IF (use iif in SolidWorks) statement in a SolidWorks Equation to Suppress or Unsuppress a feature.

Posted on: 12th October 2010, by Stephen Burke. Filed under: Tech Tips, Training.

We are holding launch events for SolidWorks 2011 in the coming week around Ireland. These events will showcase the new functionality in SolidWorks 2011. It will also give customers an opportunity to meet and talk with our engineers. The upcoming launch events are:

• Dublin – 6th October
• Galway – 7th October

Please give us a call on 01 2974440 or email info@solidsolutions.ie to find our more details on the venues and times.

Posted on: 1st October 2010, by Stephen Burke. Filed under: General.

From following some of the SolidWorks blogs, it led me to watch Mark Bissotti’s SolidWorks World Presentation on Advanced Modeling with some really excellent strategies and modeling approaches. The most noteable technique I came across in the presentation was the innovative use the deform feature.

In the example below the deform feature is used with the “Curve to Curve” option. The SolidWorks Advanced Part Modeling Training Course covers the deform feature and has some good examples, but the “telephone cord” example below is an innovative way to achieve the final shape.

As shown in the video below, a normal helix is created, a cross section sketch, and then a swept boss/base feature (similar to creating a simple spring). Before going into the deform command, two curves/sketches are required; a before and after sketch. The before sketch is a simple line, and the target sketch can be a complex 2d or 3d spline.

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Hopefully you will find that video useful. I’m sure there are many more applications.

References: 1 (Mark Bissotti’s SW2010 World Presentation) | 2 (Matt Lombards Blog)

Posted on: 28th May 2010, by Stephen Burke. Filed under: Tech Tips.

A lot of people use the Measure Tool, under Evaluate, however I find it quicker and easier just to use the status bar. Believe it or not, many people don’t look down at it. Below is a video showing how to get quick measurements from your parts or assemblies. Note also I have “Instant 3D” enabled on the Features tab, and this also gives me quick measurements when I click on an area of the model (or if you double-left-click in an Assembly).

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Posted on: 9th April 2010, by Stephen Burke. Filed under: Tech Tips.

The following time-saver video by SolidWorks shows how to setup part and drawing templates, so that the information in the titleblock gets filled in automatically. Such properties as Material, Revision, Mass etc. can be linked automatically in the titleblock. If any of these properties change, the titleblock is immediately up-to-date eliminating mistakes. For anyone who has done the Essentials Training, you will have seen this setup and this should be a quick refresher.

Note: the method of adding properties into the part (File -> Properties) is the traditional method of adding information. There is “Custom Property Tab” since SW2009 in the Task Pane on the right which allows you to add properties using a nice visual interface. Stay tuned for more information on this.

References: 1 | 2

Posted on: 9th March 2010, by Stephen Burke. Filed under: Tech Tips.

Since SP2 it is now possible to disable the dimension pop-up palette which is new in SolidWorks 2010. Although there is no option available in Tools -> Options yet, the dimension palette can be disabled in the registry using the following key:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SolidWorks\SolidWorks 2010\Dimensions]
“14504″=dword:00000001

To make things easier, below are registry files to enable and disable the Dimension Pop-Up Palette (simply click on the link, download, extract the Zip file and open the registry file):
Disable Dimension Palette Registry File
Enable Dimension Palette Registry File

Note: this will only work on SP2 or greater. If you have any questions just let us know.
(Source)

Posted on: 15th February 2010, by Stephen Burke. Filed under: Tech Tips.

When sketching on a face, it is common to use convert entities to convert the model edge to a sketch segment. This ensures good design intent.

Selecting every edge to convert can take some time.
Selecting the face and clicking “Convert Entities” converts the outer loop of edges.
However if you select the face and 1 inside edge, “Convert Entities” will convert the inner loop of edges (see video below).

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Hope this small trick saves some time.
Reference: apac

Posted on: 12th January 2010, by Stephen Burke. Filed under: Tech Tips.

Pretty fast you might say. Well how about creating a Compression spring with flattened ends, or an Extension, Torsion, or Spiral Spring?

There is a SolidWorks Macro which can do all this. You can download this macro from 3dContentCentral here. (If you are having difficulty getting the macro, just drop us an email to support@solidsolutions.ie )

How to use:

1. Download the Zip file containing the Macro from www.3dcontentcentral.com
2. Extract the Zip file to locate the file “macro gerador de molas springapi.swp”
3. Open SolidWorks. Create a New Part. Sketch a Circle on the Top Plane. Click Rebuild (and/or exit the sketch).
4. Under the Tools drop-down menu, choose Macro -> Run (browse to the above swp file).
5. A dialog will appear on the left where you can choose from the available options.

How-to Video
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Some people asked about having the loops of the extension spring at right angles. No problem. Just choose the option “Height and Revolution” and insert 9.5 (etc.) for the revolutions. The remaining feature on the design tree can be easily edited to change the properties of the spring afterwards. Experiment yourself to see the many options available.

Happy Modelling. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks. Feel free to subscribe and recieve these tips via email. Subscribe to Solid Solutions Ireland News by Email

References: 1, 2

Posted on: 3rd January 2010, by Stephen Burke. Filed under: Tech Tips.

Solid Solutions Ireland are holding launches of SolidWorks 2010 around the country. Watch your emails for updates and feel free to contact us. Vidoes from the SolidWorks 2010 launch can be seen here.

• Limerick: 27th Oct. Thanks to all who attended.
• Galway: 28th Oct. Thanks to all who attended.
• Dublin: 11th Nov. Thanks to all who attended.

Click here to see details on System Requirements for SW2010, and information on Windows 7 support.

Posted on: 14th October 2009, by Stephen Burke. Filed under: General.

Welcome to the Solid Solutions Ireland News page. This website will provide updated and periodic information on:

• Technical Tips and Tricks
• News Bulletins about SolidWorks
• News Bulletins about Solid Solutions Ireland

We hope that our customers find this website an excellent SolidWorks resource going into the future with monthly updates, tips and tricks. If you have any suggestions, queries or comments, we would be delighted to hear from you. Call us on +353 1 2974440 or Email us on info@solidsolutions.ie

Posted on: 12th October 2009, by Stephen Burke. Filed under: General.