Designers and engineers have several computer-aided design (CAD) software programs at their disposal. One of those CAD choices is Solid Works®, which can be used in mechanical engineering, aerospace and defense, consumer products, construction and architectural, in a myriad of engineering fields, and many other applications such as in the fields of medicine, energy, electronics, manufacturing and industry. CAD software lets users design in three dimensions instead of the usual two. It is a para solid-based systemwhere solid objects are used as representations in the software and are manipulated using parametric feature-based solid modeling. Solid Works® and any other CAD software having the para solid geometric modeling kernel, allow for modeling to be done within the software. A design will start in two dimensions such as a photo or a drawing and will be developed into a three dimensional solid. Special tools are available in Solid Works® for the design of sheet metal. A component library of pre-designed components allows for a designer to choose from a design and not have to start a design at step one. One thing that can be done that is effective in Solid Works® is the ability to produce animated instructions for assembly of a manufactured product. Software for managing data is also available so that versions of product design releases can easily be kept track of.
Tools for Sheet Metal Design
Smart Fasteners Technology is a tool specific for sheet metal design. Solid Works® also allows users to work with weights and materials regarding their designs so that they can reduce costs. Design structural analysis can be accomplished by using the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software. Manufacturing testing in the software environment is possible by using the DFMX press tool to look for design flaws. Flaws can be found before a product goes to production and money can be saved by using the DFMX press tool. Imagine if a design went to production and the amount of money that would be lost if the product had to be pulled and could not be sold. Modeling from customer specifications can be done more effectively by being able to import data directly. After all of the design is complete for the sheet metal design, Solid Works® gives users the ability through 3DVIA Composer to produce technically accurate manuals as well as user manuals so that users know how to use the product. Finally, Solid Works® allows for the design to be checked against the client’s specifications for total compliance.
Solid Works® Training
One can earn a certification through the Solid Works® company by taking the Certified Solid Works® Professional Sheet Metal exam and earning at least a 75%. Solid Works® recommends first taking the course Solid Works® Essentials and Sheet Metal and then taking the exam. The student can be asked questions on the exam the mass of a certain part or the elongation of a bent metal part with a given K-Factor.
Sample Use of Solid Works®
A company specializing in metal manufacturing is Maloya. Maloya produces metal for many fields such as process machinery, scientific, architectural, and many more. They have employed Solid Works® for reverse engineered products that were already manufactured as well as for programming to print and for digitizing as well as scanning for flat patterns. they are able to work virtually with clients through the use of Solid Works® parametric modeling and other technology resources. The type of laser they use for cutting is a CO2 laser and some of the metals they work with are nickel, carbon steel, aluminum, titanium, and more.
Three dimensional modeling software is a popular tool used to design products in the manufacturing industry among other industries. Solid Works® offers a myriad of software tools and solutions for both the engineer and designer in today’s manufacturing environment.
Reto Hug is the President of Maloya which specializes in <A href=”http://www.maloyalaser.com”>laser cutting technologies</a> and complex metal manufacturing using <A href=”http://www.maloyalaser.com/index.php”>highly specialized laser systems</a> targeting aerospace, medical, machinery, scientific and transportation requirements.
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