SOLIDWORKS REFERENCE GEOMETRY

An imaginary reference considered while adding Features to a pre-drawn Sketch or Part and assembly.

Reference Geometry includes:

1) Plane

2) Axes

3) Co-Ordinate system

4) Points

5) Centre of Mass

6) Mate Reference

It enables the user to create any geometry at any desired place with reference to predefined existing views, axes, surfaces, face, etc.

PLANE:

Plane are the reference used to create different geometry.

For inserting new plane required some reference. Plane, face, edges, vertices, surfaces and sketch geometry can be applying constraints through first reference, second reference and optionally Third reference.

How to Find It?

1) Command manager: Feature > select reference geometry > Plane.

2) OR Menu: Insert > Reference Geometry > Plane.

Plane with different application,

How to Find Reference Geometry Command

Plane at offset Distance:

If we want to draw a new sketch at some distance of part it needs new plane.

· For that Select the first reference as a plane or Surface from which offset required.

Optionally, we create a series of parallel planes the same distance.

Figure 1.2 Creating ofset Plane

Plane at Angle:

If we want to add a new plane at some angle it required two references i.e. Edge or axis and plane.

Select a planar face or plane and an edge or axis.

Figure 1.3 Plane at angle.

Plane Coincident:

Plane can be made coincident with a vertices or edges. Passing plane through that.

· Select three vertices or the three points through which the plane is passing.

Also, we add this with edge and vertex

Figure 1.4 Plane passing through vertex.

· Select a line and a single vertex.

Figure 1.5 Plane Passing through Vertex and Edge.

Parallel Planes:

If we want parallel plane to a surface at some distance but it is passing through another vertex.

Select the surface to which the plane is parallel and the vertex through which the plane is going to pass.

Figure 1.6 Plane parallel and passing through vertex.

Tangent and Perpendicular:

Select a cylindrical face and a surface or plane whose reference is to be taken. (Perpendicular surface)

Figure 1.7 Tangent and perpendicular plane

Tangent and Parallel:

Select a cylindrical face and a planar face or plane with Parallel.

Figure 1.8 Tangent and parallel plane

Mid Plane:

Select the two planes or planar surfaces in which the mid plane is to be inserted.

Figure 1.9 Mid Plane.

Plane perpendicular at a point:

Select a sketched line and an end point of the same line.

Figure 1.10 Plane passing through point.

Plane Parallel to Screen:

Select a vertex and optionally an offset, optionally, right click geometry and Create plane parallel to Screen.

Figure1.11 Plane Parallel to Screen.

REFERENCE AXES:

Axes are feature that must be created using one of several methods.

It can be renamed, selected by name from feature manager design tree.

Temporary Axes:

We can use Temporary axis for every cylindrical and conical features which has an axis associated with it. We can use temporary axes of part for reference.

How to View the Temporary Axes

· Go to Hide and show items tab

·Select View Temporary axes

Figure 2.1 Temperory Axis View.

· It shows you a temporary axis which is already in that.

If we want temporary axis as permanent axis then

Where to find it:

1) Command manager: Feature, select Reference geometry, Axis

2) Menu: Insert, Reference Geometry, Axis.

· Select One Line /Edge /Axis Option.

· Click On the Temporary axis.

Figure 2.2 Permanent axis

Axis with two planes:

If we want to put an axis between two planes

· Select the two planes which intersects to each other.

Figure .Two Plane Axis.

Two Points /Vertices:

Select the two Points / vertices to define an axis through them.

Figure Two Point Axis.

Cylindrical /Conical Face:

Select a Cylindrical/Conical face as a reference to define an axis which is passing through its centre.

Figure Cylindrical and Conical face Axis.

Point and Face/Plane:

Select a plane or planar face and a point or a vertex to define an axis normal to the plane through the point.

Figure.

Example:

If there is Circular pattern about an axis in a rectangular block. First add an axis about which the circular pattern is to be placed.

Click Reference Geometry>Axis

Select two planes front and right

Circular Pattern

1) Click circular Pattern.

2) Click the axis Axis 1

3) Select in Feature and Faces

4) Select the Cut Extrude 1.

5)Select Equal Spacing, 4 instances OK.

CENTER OF MASS:

In SOLIDWORKS model we can perform engineering calculation such as computing Mass, Centre of Mass and Moment of Inertia.

In drawing of parts or assemblies the Centre of Mass point, shows the reference. We add this for Measuring the distances and reference dimension between centre of mass and other entities.

First you have to select a part.

Where to find it:

1) Select the Reference geometry Toolbar > Centre of mass

2)OR Insert, Reference geometry, Centre of Mass.

COORDINATE SYSTEM
Co-ordinate system is used in parts and assembly. It gives the origin Coordinates Point with X=0, Y =0, Z=0.

Where to find it:

1) Command Manager Feature: Reference Geometry > Coordinate system.

2) OR Insert, Reference Geometry > Coordinate system

Use the coordinate system of origin to give the direction of X, Y, Z or also use the edges or vertices to give the direction.

Figure Coordinate System

3 .POINT:

Point reference is used in highlighting the intersection point, Arc centre, face centre

Where to Find It:

1) Command Manager: Feature, Reference Geometry, Point.

2) OR Insert, Reference Geometry, Point.

Arc Centre :

Select the edge or arc of which centre required.

Figure Center of Arc.

Centre of Face:

`It shows the centre point of face which is selected.

Centre of Face

Intersection Point:

It is a point at which two lines intersects.

Intersection Point.

On point:

Select a point in sketch to highlight.

Point On Sketch.

Points At Distance:

Number of Points on Edge with equal spacing can be placed by this method.

Select the edge on which point is to be placed.

Select option percentage, enter appropriate percentage number

we have number of instance point required on line but at equal distance select the Option Evenly Distributed.

Figure .Points On Edge.

Thanks and Regards,

Aatmling Narayanpure

Certified SOLIDWORKS Expert