Modeling or CAD (Computer Aided Design) is a means of representing a three dimensional body in a computer. It comprises a way to store and manipulate 3D objects in a computer's memory and a way to display these objects on a 2D screen or on paper. Unlike traditional CAD which starts with orthographic projections of a 3D object onto planes using constructive geometry, 3D CAD starts with the 3D geometry. The 2D drawing is the final product, not the beginning. A 3D model in SolidWorks® can contain most if not all the metadata normally placed on a drawing such as dimensions, tolerances, surface finishes, notes, hole callouts, etc. Further this metadata can be keyed into a database like a PDM system.
Because 3D CAD represents the "real" object rather than an abstract set of projections the data in a 3D model can become much more valuable than a 2D drawing in that it can feed several downstream activities like 2D drawings, weight and balance, CNC machining, molds, interference checking and analysis/simulation.
In order to successfully complete a 3D modeling task something called design intent is needed. Design intent is simply a statement of what characteristics an object must have. For example if a series of holes must be offset a specified distance from the edge of a flat plate this intent can be captured and retained regardless of other changes to the flat plate. Here are some common ways design intent is specified:
While modeling is a powerful method to capture the intent for a part, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) can be used to simulate how a part will react to it's environment in terms of loads or fluid flows. In order to successfully simulate or analyze an object the following information is needed:
Frequently material properties can be "looked up", but with many plastics or if required because of a specification or standard they must be ascertained by testing the actual material to be used.
Sometimes it pays to automate repetitive processes to speed up workflow. This is especially true for SolidWorks. So Engineering Transport offers API programming services.
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