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PolyJet 3D printing is a process that employs a UV-cured thin film, it has a very high resolution and can create stunning visual results. In general, PolyJet prints are superior when it comes to visual quality, but they suffer from one fatal flaw: the glossy PolyJet finish becomes a cloudy matte finish when it comes in contact with support material. Because of this, any surface that points downward is going to result in this rougher finish.
New in SOLIDWORKS PDM 2016 is the ability to read and write custom properties of PDFs using the PDF plug-in. This PDF plug-in also maps any user-defined custom properties written in the Custom tab of a PDF. In previous versions of SOLIDWORKS PDM, this capability did not exist, and you could not read or write PDF custom properties for PDM variables.
SOLIDWORKS does not have an option or system setting to change the font of the symbols, but there is a slick way to accomplish this. We need to “thicken” the line weight of each symbol.
SOLIDWORKS 2016 introduced a new icon into the standard Sketch toolbar in the CommandManager. This new icon is the Instant2D feature and is turned on when the standard SOLIDWORKS part template is used.
The SOLIDWORKS Defeature tool, found under Tools > Defeature, creates a new file and can also simplify or remove detailed geometry. The Defeature tool can be used on SOLIDWORKS parts or assemblies. Let’s use it on a part just so we can get an idea of how it works.
A common method for dimensioning requires dimensioning to a point that exists where two features (e.g., edges, curves, lines, arcs, etc.) would intersect if those features were extended. In SOLIDWORKS, this is called a Virtual Sharp and it is a feature that can be utilized in sketches and drawings as a reference. Prior to the 2014 release, the user had to create these virtual points before being able to use them, and even then, the user had to know the hidden way to do this.
In some cases, suppressing features will give us a much better tool path in CAMWorks. This will be one example of when suppressing features is really useful. Usually, multi-axis tool paths will benefit most from suppressing features since they can be more difficult to get the tool path you desire.
The SOLIDWORKS Sensor Tool allows a user to set parameters within a model or assembly that can then be monitored by SOLIDWORKS as your design is developed. If a design change you make results in a deviation outside the limits you specify, then the software will alert you, allowing for the appropriate action to be taken.
If you are involved in the design process of components requiring laser engraving, Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining, and/or water jetting, then you know that traditional fonts are not ideal. This is due to the multiple passes the tool has to make for each stroke of the character. Starting with SOLIDWORKS 2014, users have access to the OLF SimpleSansOC font. This SOLIDWORKS stick font will alleviate unnecessary tool passes when engraving down the line.