The Javelin Technologies Blog

Last week I showed you how to use the new Intersect tool for simplifying your model by filling its internal cavities.

Today let’s consider the situation where you need to fill the external cavities from the Mr. Smiley model with discrete solid bodies in order to 3D print the end result with a bi-material printer from the Objet Connex family.

This video proposes two different solutions for this challenge. Can you think of more?

In part 2 of this tech tip video, I will show to how to complete the curvature continuous surfaces started in the last video by finishing the tricky corner of our tablet.

In part 1 of this tech tip video, I will show to how build curvature continuous surfaces that are in the style of many tablets that are on the market today.

In this tech tip video, I explain how to use the replace face command to add a bit of “crowning” to flat surface to increase its visual appeal and also make it easier to mold.

TIME!

Saving TIME!

This article is all about saving TIME!

People ask me all the time what areas of SolidWorks to study in order to do their job effectively. Part modeling? Mold Design? Surfacing? Assemblies?

The short answer is ALL of THEM! The main difference between an user who is familiar with just a few areas inside SolidWorks, versus one who is comfortable with using almost anything available in the software, is the versatility of the second. He or she would be able to combine various workflows from all these topics and create powerful and unorthodox new techniques that can achieve the desired intent much faster.

In this video, I will show you an example where using various techniques from multibody part modeling, surface modeling and mold tools save a lot of time, while achieving the design intent.

Note: Many thanks to Peter Parker for the fan model and for all the questions.

Surfacing technique is a very powerful one.  It can help users create complex shapes, but it can also cause geometry problems if you are not careful.

Let’s talk about one type of surface which will give you trouble when you attempt to thicken the surface to make a solid – “the degenerate surface”.

For the example, I am creating a lofted surface with two curves:

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You are a tool and die designer and your customer has just sent you an IGES file containing a solid with a complex face which has to be used as reference for your embossing die. In order to create your punch and die inserts, you need to isolate that surface and extend it. If you can do that, you will take the job, if not - you have to refuse it. Read More »

Alin Vargatu, a distinguished AE for Javelin, asked me to write a guest blogger article for Javelin’s blog. I’ve seen some of Alin’s very helpful comments to complex users questions in the SolidWorks Forum, and I’ve come to know him as one of the good guys when it comes to reseller technical folks. I’m a bit flattered to have a reseller ask me to contribute to their blog, especially one of the stature of Javelin.

Alin suggested a surfacing topic most relevant to the biggest number of SolidWorks users out there: How do you convince surfacing skeptics about the benefits that SolidWorks surfacing could bring to them?

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