The modeling technique is hugely responsible for the level of productivity. Those of you that are only trained in the sketch, sketch, constrain, constrain world are truly limited by not using the freedom of Streamlined Sketching and Feature Based Design, that is available in even the most Pro/e-ish of CAD systems. If your designers are designing in these very unproductive and time consuming processes it might be time to review your standard design processes. Don’t have any do you?
ZW3D is a sketch based system so it is easy for the major CAD system users to get up to speed fast. But it also has Primitive Shapes available that can eliminate the need to sketch and extrude in many cases.
I saw the following video challenge on linkedin and thought I would give it a try. I actually did it before I watched the video, so I did it a bit differently. This will give you an idea how different and flexible ZW3D is compared to the conventional Solidworks
SolidWorks tutorial for beginners exercise 130
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. ZW3D can be set up one part per file or multi-object which offers incredibly flexible top down design. Creating mating parts is a cruise. But modeling is just one aspect of a well designed productive 3D CAD system.
ZW3D is one the few 3D CAD systems that has integrated drawings, so you can do complete projects or sub-assemblies in one file.
I would do a video, but I really am not good at it. So I will show you step by step. I will try and get IronCAD support to create one. They are very good.
I always create the part before I watch the Solidworks 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
I insert a cylinder and size it.
I insert a block, locate, size it and set it to add.
We insert a block for the large rectangle. Locate, size it and set to add.
We will create the flange. We create a sketch on the bottom and create and offset from the existing graphics.
We extrude the sketch and set it to add.
Due the different fillets we shell the part.
We will add some blends.
We insert a cylinder mounting tab at each of the 4 locations, ZW3D recognizes the centers, corners and midpoints. We size the first and the command remember the last input so we just insert the cylinders and set to add.
We will now create a pattern for the mounting tab cylinder on the radial edge.
We insert the cylinders, locate and size them and set them to add.
We insert the cylinders at the center of the existing cylinders and size and set them to remove.
Using the hold command we size the hole and locate at the center of the tabs. As we have said ZW3D recognizes centers, midpoints and corners.
We now create the fillets.
We are done with the part. One sketch that was created by offsetting the existing graphics.
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, ZW3D with its add primitive shapes 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 ZW3D. It truly is the very best conceptual 3D CAD system.
TECH-NET Engineering Services!
We sell and support IronCAD and ZW3D Products and
provide engineering services throughout the USA and Canada!
Why TECH-NET Sells IronCAD and ZW3D
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.
For more information or to download IronCAD or ZW3D
Joe Brouwer
206-842-0360
TECH-NET, INC 