SOLIDWORKS Combine Feature Tutorial

Article by Krystal Petersen on Oct 21, 2021

The Combine feature in SOLIDWORKS is a great tool used most often in surface modeling as it allows you to take molds of created parts for mold operations. It is also useful when creating negative spaces for a part to fit into to show where an item might reside in an assembly.

How to use Combine Feature

To combine, open your base component. In this example, we will use a basic screw. 

Basic Screw SOLIDWORKS Combine Feature Example

With the basic screw in the graphics area, we will create a sketch for our Combine feature to create a cut out of these threads. We will make a box using the center of the part to place a plane and sketch the box on.

SOLIDWORKS Combine Feature Tutorial

Once the sketch is created, Extrude the square in both directions to fully cover the threads up to the head of the screw. 

Make sure to uncheck Merge Results as the default for SOLIDWORKS is to merge the bodies. By unselecting this, we ensure the parts are separated making the next command easier.

Extrude Square SOLIDWORKS Combine Feature

With the secondary body created, use the Combine tool to cut out the negative space in the cube.

Negative Space Example SOLIDWORKS Combine Tool

When we section the body, we now have a cutout of the threads after using the Combine feature. 

SOLIDWORKS Combine Feature Explained

Combine and Molds

The Combine tool really shines when it’s being used to create molds. The process is much the same as above, but this will require covering the entire part.

As with the previous Combine example, you will find the part and then create a body that covers the entire part. (shown below)

Combine and Molds in SOLIDWORKS

Using Combine and Molds in SOLIDWORKS

With the Body of the mold created around the part, and again, making sure to de-select Merge Results, we will work on the next step which is using the Combine feature to make a cavity for the part to be molded in.

Create a Cavity Using SOLIDWORKS Combine Feature

Below is the cavity, but we still need to do more.

SOLIDWORKS Combine Feature to Create Cavity

Next, we will need to create the parting line; we have the Core and the Cavity. To do this, we will need to create a sketch on the side of the mold

First, create a sketch on the left side of the mold.

SOLIDWORKS Mold Sketch

Under the Surfaces tab, use the Extrude Surface feature and expand the line through the part.

SOLIDWORKS Extrude Surface

With that surface created, use the Cut with Surface option to cut the mold into both Cavity and Core. Once the cut is made, hide the surface we used to cut, and you can now save the file out as Cavity, with a quick edit of the direction in the Surface Cut, you can easily save out the other side as Core.

SOLIDWORKS Cut with Surface Option Example

With these steps, you’ve created a simple Core and Cavity for a mold. 

GoEngineer Combine Feature YouTube Video    We have a YouTube video that demonstrates this concept as well. View it here.

More SOLIDWORKS Tutorials

Working with Exploded Views in SOLIDWORKS

Inserting Model Dimensions into a SOLIDWORKS Drawing

Scaling a Part in SOLIDWORKS 2 Different Ways

SOLIDWORKS Path Mate Explained

How to Mirror Parts in SOLIDWORKS Two Different Ways

VIEW ALL SOLIDWORKS TUTORIALS

 

About Krystal Petersen

Krystal Petersen is a SOLIDWORKS Technical Support Engineer based out of Auburn Hills, Michigan. Krystal studied Product Engineering at Oakland Community College and has earned her CSWA and CSWP Certifications. She joined the VAR channel in 2015 with DASI (now GoEngineer). Krystal is a huge fan of Star Wars and likes to spend her off time fishing and camping.

View all posts by Krystal Petersen