TIPS+TRICKS - Use MULTI-BODY to create complex sweep paths

[TooTallToby]

New SolidWorks video dropped this morning on youtube - cool use of multi body for anyone who does wire forming or bending

[Glenn Schroeder]

New SolidWorks video dropped this morning on youtube - cool use of multi body for anyone who does wire forming or bending

That's a nice technique. I've never used it for sweeps, but I use a body to drive 3d sketches for weldments (one of the many things I've learned from @Alin over the years).

I didn't know about using the Delete button on my keyboard to delete the body. That's a nice tip, and thanks.

I am curious why you used a separate sketch for the sweep profile instead of selecting the "Circular Profile" option in the Sweep's property manager.

[Krzysztof Szpakowski]

Well, unfortunately, not all that glitters is gold. Easy but... When the walls tilt (draft feature), the dimensions and arcs change. So the arcs will be elliptical and trigonometry must be used to convert the vertical dimensions. But in many cases it can be useful.
It is of course possible to use more steps to avoid these errors, but then it will probably be a waste of time.

[len_1962]

Well, unfortunately, not all that glitters is gold. Easy but... When the walls tilt (draft feature), the dimensions and arcs change. So the arcs will be elliptical and trigonometry must be used to convert the vertical dimensions. But in many cases it can be useful.
It is of course possible to use more steps to avoid these errors, but then it will probably be a waste of time.

If he left off the fillets he could have made a 3D sketch converting the edges then add the rads to the 3D geom to get tru radius, another simple way.

[bnemec]

Or forget about the common radii in the profile all together; add it to the sweep feature.

We used to be lazy and create profiles from a couple of cross curves, had similar problem; created "bends" that were not reality. We're doing better now.

[Krzysztof Szpakowski]

If he left off the fillets he could have made a 3D sketch converting the edges then add the rads to the 3D geom to get tru radius, another simple way.

It's not just the arches that are a problem. The distance between the "Steps" is not the same as the length of the inclined sections. So if it still has to be "work a round", it is easier to do it in a different way.

Two selected lines not are equal. The problem will arise when you want the beveled edge to be 30 units

[len_1962]

It's not just the arches that are a problem. The distance between the "Steps" is not the same as the length of the inclined sections. So if it still has to be "work a round", it is easier to do it in a different way.

image.png

Two selected lines not are equal. The problem will arise when you want the beveled edge to be 30 units

all depends on what is important in the design, the heights and angle and rads or the true lengths of the path.

[bnemec]

Now that we've picked his video apart, I'd like to bring back to the surface the point that using multiple bodies to model one part/component can be a very robust option. I think understanding how the software computes these things so we understand why the "trick" works is as important as being able to predict the errors or pitfalls. Unfortunately, bullet proof examples are hard to come by as there's no single example part that exemplifies every requirement we've ever encountered collectively while not violating any of them.

I see this this over and over with CAD training; some students learn the examples then go home and just regurgitate without understanding. Others learn the principle the example is working to and continue to expand their understanding as they fine new places to apply it to, and places to avoid using it. Most the instructors I've heard/seen have so much "mental" muscle memory that they've forgotten the concepts that they they now practice subconsciously. So the novice has little awareness of all that logic being done in the instructors mind on the fly. Trying to unpack it all in lesson one will also be unhelpful. Instructing is difficult, especially to highly variegated groups.

[len_1962]

bnemec

WELL SAID! Aways takes a "CHEDDAR" to make sence of it all