In the SOLIDWORKS assembly environment, you can visualize the center of mass (COM) in the graphics area and read the coordinate points, but you cannot reference the COM. In the part modeling environment, there is a Create Center of Mass Reference Point button that will make a selectable, relatable … [Read more...] about Creating a Center of Mass Reference Point in a SOLIDWORKS Assembly
A DXF or DWG file is the common input required for cutting machines like a laser, plasma, hot wire, or water jet cutters. Each machine is unique and likes the file formatted in a certain way to distinguish between operations like cutting, engraving, or etching. SOLIDWORKS gives you the option to map … [Read more...] about How to Customize the Formatting of a SOLIDWORKS DXF or DWG File
I have always had a fascination with classic cars. They are fun to admire, drive and work on, but sometimes they lack the comfort of modern cars. Driving a car without air conditioning in the hot summer months has led me to test many window configurations to maintain a cool internal temperature … [Read more...] about Testing Airflow Through a Classic Car With SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation
Recently, I ran into a scenario where I had to design some custom-sized gears and found a creative way to make a beveled gear that I thought I should share. There are equations to calculate specifications of the bevel like the cone angles of the gears, tooth, face width and cone distances. I wanted … [Read more...] about Designing Bevel Gears in SOLIDWORKS Using Sketch Blocks and Lofts
I was asked if I could take the surface area of selected faces in SOLIDWORKS and have that value be referenced in a drawing file. When this problem first came across my desk I assumed it was going to be an easy task, but boy was I mistaken. My first thought was using the SW-Surface Area Custom … [Read more...] about Create a Custom Property from a Selected Surface Area in SOLIDWORKS
Spreading Holiday Cheer with Hawk Ridge Systems I have designed myself a catapult with some specific design criteria in mind with the intent on spreading holiday cheer through the office. I will be firing a Hawk Ridge Systems present to all of my coworkers! The catapult is going to be 3D … [Read more...] about SOLIDWORKS Simulation: Validating the Strength of a 3D Printed Catapult
SOLIDWORKS adds hundreds of new features every single release – and SOLIDWORKS 2019 is no exception. With great improvements in assembly performance, new workflows with touch and markup, and new surface texture features, SOLIDWORKS continues to innovate in 3D CAD. In this first part of a two-part … [Read more...] about What’s New in SOLIDWORKS 2019 – Release Highlights Part 1
When creating the wrist components of my gauntlet I ran into the problem of needing a slot for some of the connection points. In my first iteration of the design, I had a 4 pieces covering the wrist that all needed to be able to rotate relative to the wrist joint. As you can see in Figure 1 … [Read more...] about Creating Fully Functional Medieval Armour Part 4
