Please go to here to see the other lessons.
ZW3D vs Solidworks Assembly Lesson 19
What is the advantage designing with shapes?
Using shapes eliminates the need to create a sketch and extrude. The above part has 14 shapes and 2 sketches. This is a simple part and we have eliminated 14 constrained sketches and 14 extrusions. Imagine a complex part. Give this concept a try today.
Design of Water Control Valve in Solidworks
ZW3D vs Solidworks
While creating 3D models from drawing is the very best way to learn 3D CAD and maybe some design techniques is does not expose the designer to the design flexibility necessary in product design. IronCAD is all top down due to the single model environment. Creating mating parts is a cruise. But modeling is just one aspect of this well designed productive 3D CAD system.
I like to show step by step lessons So you can see the commands being used.
I always create the part before I watch the Video, so as to not taint my process. Of course, there are a multitude of ways to create a model. There is no right way, just more productive ways. From what I have seen from these very complicated processes done by the Solidworks Presenters, it is not just limited by the 3D CAD system.
Here is the drawing if you would like to follow along.
Download ZW3D and follow along
We use the “New to Insert” command under the the Control Valve Assembly and name the part Lock Lever. We edit or activate the part. This how we design top down.
It automatically goes to the edit part mode, which allows top-down modeling.
We will only show the mating part.
We zoom to the mating face and create a datum plane. We select the assembly tab. We create a reference curve to use to locate the plane.
We create a sketch on that datum plane. And create our sketch. I using what I have coined “StreamLined Sketching”. Basically no constrained sketching. I will show you how it works.
We use the rectangle command and use the the center and corner option and size the rectangle.
We will now create the two circles.
Now the two lines.
Now I trim/ext the graphics to get the basic sketch.
Now the last small hole. Notice I locate the hole within the command no dimensions.
We select the offset option from the right button and put in the dims and we are done with the sketch. Not one constrained dimension.
We exit the sketch and extrude the sketch.
Now we just added the fillets.
We are done with the part. You can see by the X0Y0Z0 axis indicator that the part is in aircraft position.
Please go to here to see the other lessons.
ZW3D vs Solidworks Assembly Lesson 19
It is very important that you look into how you or your engineers are creating the parts. Streamline Sketching and Feature Based Modeling is easy to learn and implement. It, alone, will increase productivity 10X. Now, IronCAD with its unique integrated history/direct edit functionality can increase your productivity another 5X or more with changes! Again, time is money in engineering.
More on Streamline Sketching and Feature Based Modeling.
3D Modeling Techniques Defined
To experience this increased level of productivity, please download ZW3D for a 30 day evaluation. Legacy data is no problem, ZW3D can read the native files of all of the popular programs. ZW3D is a great replacement for the subscription only Autodesk and PTC products.
For more information or to download ZW3D
Give me a call if you have any questions. I can set up a skype or gotomeeting to show this part or answer any of your questions on the operation of IronCAD. It truly is the very best conceptual 3D CAD system.
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If you are interested in adding professional hybrid modeling capabilities or looking for a new solution to increase your productivity, take some time to download a fully functional 30 day evaluation and play with these packages. Feel free to give me a call if you have any questions or would like an on-line presentation.
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Joe Brouwer
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