Complex Shapes

Loft

Loft is a tool that can be used to create some complex curvatures and shapes without reverting to surface modeling. Some example designs are heat shields, exhaust manifolds, vacuum and hair dryer attachments. We won’t have an extensive section on this feature (this chapter is long enough!) but will link to some quality tutorials created by SolidWorks now that you have become familiar with the software.

 

Figure 6.X Loft Examples

 

Some of the geometry terminology is still pretty advanced, so if you choose to learn this tool, be sure to go through the lesson with lots of pausing and looking up definitions. It is also recommended that you use the provided downloadable files in the lesson to follow along.

SolidWorks Loft Lesson

Note that you may have to sign in/create an account with MySolidWorks to access the tutorial. Use your school’s or your student version serial number of SolidWorks to sign up if you haven’t already.

Wrap

Wrap is another tool that allows you to create some complex geometry. Wrap has you create a sketch and then it is wrapped around a feature/body that you’ve already created. Wrapped cuts are most common for making parts such as cylindrical cams but wrapped bosses can be created as well for ribs on curved surfaces. Just like Loft, if you are interested, you can access a SolidWorks Lesson on using the wrap feature.

SolidWorks Wrap Tutorial

Figure 6.X Wrapped Cut on Cylindrical Cam for Sewing Machine

License

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Introduction to SolidWorks Part 1 Copyright © 2021 by melvincrs is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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