solidworks_topdown.pdf

8/11/2019 Solidworks_topDown.pdf

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Top-Down Modeling in

SolidworksDavid [email protected]


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What is Top-Down Modeling? A method ofdriving multiplepart designs

using a singleparent part

ParentPartsketches,surfaces,solids

Child PartsDrivenfeatures fromParent Part


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Why Use Top-Down Design?

Maintains key relationships between parts Clearance and interface design details Proper positioning in assemblies

Rapid modifications One change to master part can propagate to multiple

derived parts

Multi-User assemblies Can be used to define interfaces in between

subassemblies Avoids circular references within assemblies


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Parent Sketching | Front Profile Start new part Sketch on front plane Use symmetric and equal

constraints Add dimensions Close sketch and save part


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Parent Sketching | Main Cross-Section Create new sketch on top plane Sketch middle profile (below) Constrain middle profile to Front

Profile Sketch top and bottom profiles Add dimensions Close sketch and save part


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Parent Sketching | Front Details Create new sketch on Front

Plane Draw LCD, button, speaker

and camera outlines

Close sketch and save part


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Embed Parent into Child Parts Insert > Part

Find the parent partthat you saved andallow part to drop todefault location.

Save Front Part You will now have allof the base geometryof the parent part tobuild from in yourFront Part.

Repeat for Base Part& Middle Part


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Build Front Part Features Create reference plane coincident with

upper line in cross-section sketch Create new sketch on reference

plane, and convert entities of main

front perimeter profile Make converted entities constructiongeometry

Offset converted entities (selectchain), and delete dimensionafterward

Constrain offset profile to appropriatevertex on cross-section view

Complete similar process for cut onunderside

Use split-line curves to define LCD,

button, speaker and camera profiles


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Ribbon & Base Features Complete similar processes

for metal ribbon and basefeatures

Cross-sections of partsshould be identical tocross-section sketch inmaster

Use sketch constraintswhenever possible (andminimize dimensions)


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Assemble Parts Create new assembly Drag parts to default coordinate

system Parts should automatically be

placed properly

Check cross-section toensure clearances areconsistent with parent part

Other things to try: What happens when you

change the dimensions in theparent model?

How would you break out thebutton part?

solidworks_topdown.pdf

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