GoEngineer Blog

When you purchase a license of SOLIDWORKS, you are provided a 24-digit alphanumeric serial number. (Older license/serial numbers used sixteen digits). You will use this number to activate your license of SOLIDWORKS and SOLIDWORKS add-ins (e.g., Simulation, Composer, Inspection, etc.) installed on your computer.  

 

I've been a SOLIDWORKS user since 2008 and over time, I have used the software to design many projects around the house. What I enjoy most about SOLIDWORKS is the ability to see a design in its finished state ahead of time and eliminating the trial-and-error process. In this article, I've compiled some of the projects I've worked on over the years. I can tell that my SOLIDWORKS skills have improved over time as I learned more 'secrets' of the software. 

 

 

The Delete Hole feature is an effective but slightly elusive command in SOLIDWORKS that restores closed interior profile(s) from surface bodies. It is very similar to the Untrim Surface feature because it can quickly patch or fill trimmed surface geometry. Delete Hole is like Delete Face but for surface bodies. This command is usually easier and more efficient than trying to use a Filled Surface feature. 

SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD software is a solid investment. It can help keep your data under control, eliminate repetitive work, and further improve your product development process. In this article, we list six ways you can maximize your investment and save on future seats. 

 

Analyze. Evaluate. Check. Compare. These are all words used to describe digging further into our designs to not only verify the functional needs of its intended use but also its manufacturability and cost to manufacture. In terms of SOLIDWORKS, I have grouped the tools available to assess manufacturability and cost to manufacture into four categories: utilities, DFMXpress, Evaluation tools, and Costing. 

The SOLIDWORKS Symmetry check utility allows you to evaluate a part or assembly for symmetry. It can also be used to split a part into the smallest repeatable symmetrical body, which is useful when running a simulation analysis. Manual face check evaluates the current configuration of the part for symmetry.

Want to change a feature's properties to match an existing SOLIDWORKS feature? Feature Paint lets you copy a feature's properties, such as dimension and appearance, and apply it to another feature or set of features. This applies to holes, fillets, chamfers, and many other applications.

The Thickness Analysis tool in SOLIDWORKS is used to find areas of your model that are either thicker or thinner than a specified target thickness value. While this is a helpful feature for many different situations, it is especially crucial for cast and molded plastic injection parts, where uniform wall thickness promotes even filling and cooling.

The Report Manager allows SOLIDWORKS users to manage HTML reports generated from the following SOLIDWORKS Utilities: Compare (Document Properties, Features, Geometry, BOMs), Geometry Analysis, Symmetry Check, and Thickness Analysis. After running one of thes utilities, choose Save Report. Within the save dialog, specify the location and the report name.