Mastering

Solid Edge V18

Step-by-Step

Hui Zhang, Ph.D., P.Eng.

www.geocities.com/zhanghui1998
Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction to Solid Edge........................................................ 1
1.1 Solid Modeling Fundamentals................................................................................... 2
1.2 Solid Edge User Interface.......................................................................................... 3
1.3 Customize Solid Edge ............................................................................................. 13
1.4 Mouse Usage ........................................................................................................... 15
1.5 How To Use This book............................................................................................ 16
Chapter 2 Sketch and Extruded Features ............................................... 17
2.1 Sketch and Profile.................................................................................................... 17
2.1.1 Sketch Elements ......................................................................................... 17
2.1.2 Constraints .................................................................................................. 35
2.1.3 Dimensions ................................................................................................. 38
2.2 Extruded Features .................................................................................................... 43
2.2.1 Protrusion.................................................................................................... 43
2.2.2 Cutout ......................................................................................................... 46
2.2.3 Feature Modification .................................................................................. 46
2.3 Extruded Feature Project: Dovetail Slide ................................................................ 49
2.3.1 Start Solid Edge Part, and Setup Properties ............................................... 50
2.3.2 Create Base Feature .................................................................................... 52
2.3.3 Create Dovetail Cutout ............................................................................... 54
2.3.4 Create Side Slot Using Cutout.................................................................... 55
2.3.5 Cut Front and Back Slots............................................................................ 56
2.3.6 Get Part Physical Properties ....................................................................... 57
Chapter 3 Holes and Threads .................................................................... 59
3.1 Simple Hole ............................................................................................................. 60
3.2 Threaded Hole ......................................................................................................... 63
3.3 Tapered Hole ........................................................................................................... 64
3.4 Counterbore Hole .................................................................................................... 66
3.5 Countersink Hole..................................................................................................... 67
3.6 Thread...................................................................................................................... 68
3.7 Project: Bracket ....................................................................................................... 71
3.7.1 Create a Base .............................................................................................. 72
3.7.2 Add a Boss.................................................................................................. 73
3.7.3 Cut a Pocket................................................................................................ 75
3.7.4 Cut a Fillet .................................................................................................. 76
3.7.5 Drill Counterbore Holes ............................................................................. 78
3.7.6 Drill Countersink Holes.............................................................................. 80
3.7.7 Drill a Threaded Hole ................................................................................. 81
Chapter 4 Rounds and Chamfers............................................................. 83
4.1 Round....................................................................................................................... 83
4.1.1 Constant Radius Round/Fillet..................................................................... 83
4.1.2 Variable Radius Round............................................................................... 87
4.1.3 Blend Round ............................................................................................... 90
4.2 Chamfer ................................................................................................................... 93
4.2.1 Equal setback Chamfer............................................................................... 93

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4.2.2 Angle and Setback Chamfer ....................................................................... 94

4.2.3 2 Setbacks Chamfer .................................................................................... 94
4.3 Project: Movable Jaw .............................................................................................. 96
4.3.1 Create Jaw Body......................................................................................... 97
4.3.2 Create a Disk Boss, Cut a Hole and Add a Round and a Chamfer............. 98
4.3.3 Cut a Rectangular Socket and Its Round Corners .................................... 102
4.3.4 Create Corner Rounds .............................................................................. 103
4.3.5 Drill Screw Holes ..................................................................................... 105
Chapter 5 Reference Plane...................................................................... 107
5.1 Coincident Plane.................................................................................................... 108
5.2 Parallel Plane ......................................................................................................... 109
5.3 Angled Plane.......................................................................................................... 109
5.4 Perpendicular Plane ............................................................................................... 111
5.5 Coincident Plane by Axis ...................................................................................... 113
5.6 Plane Normal to Curve .......................................................................................... 114
5.7 Plane by 3 Points ................................................................................................... 115
5.8 Project: Vertical Bearing Support.......................................................................... 116
5.8.1 Create a base............................................................................................. 118
5.8.2 Create a Parallel Plane, and a slot boss for creating the slot body ........... 118
5.8.3 Create an angled plane and a slot body .................................................... 119
5.8.4 Cut the slots on the slot body and the base............................................... 121
5.8.5 Add hole bosses for drilling holes ............................................................ 122
5.8.6 Drill holes and add rounds........................................................................ 124
Chapter 6 Copy, Mirror and Pattern Features ..................................... 131
6.1 Copy Features ........................................................................................................ 131
6.2 Mirror Features ...................................................................................................... 133
6.3 Pattern Features ..................................................................................................... 134
6.3.1 Rectangular Pattern................................................................................... 134
6.3.2 Circular Pattern......................................................................................... 137
6.4 Project 1: Copy and Mirror – Shaft Guide ............................................................ 139
6.4.1 Create Triangle Base ................................................................................ 140
6.4.2 Add Boss and Shaft Hole.......................................................................... 141
6.4.3 Cut Keyway and Drill Hole ...................................................................... 142
6.4.4 Copy and Mirror Hole .............................................................................. 144
6.4.5 Add Round and Chamfer.......................................................................... 145
6.5 Project 2: Rectangular Pattern – Bearing Block Cover ......................................... 146
6.5.1 Create a cover ........................................................................................... 147
6.5.2 Drill bolt hole and pattern it using rectangular pattern............................. 148
6.5.3 Cut counterbore, and mirror it .................................................................. 150
6.6 Project 3: Circular Pattern – Vise Base ................................................................. 150
6.6.1 Create the base.......................................................................................... 151
6.6.2 Cut a circular slot on the base................................................................... 152
6.6.3 Create an ear and holes on the base.......................................................... 154
6.6.4 Generate a circular pattern of the ear and hole......................................... 155
Chapter 7 Revolved Features ................................................................. 157
7.1 Profiles for Revolved Features .............................................................................. 157

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7.2 Revolved Protrusion .............................................................................................. 158

7.3 Revolved Cutout .................................................................................................... 162
7.4 Project – V-Pulley ................................................................................................. 163
7.4.1 Create Pulley Stock using Revolved Protrusion....................................... 164
7.4.2 Create Bearing Bore using Revolved Cutout ........................................... 164
7.4.3 Cut Trapezoid Circular Slots using Revolved Cutout and Mirror............ 165
7.4.4 Create V-Belt Groove by Revolved Cutout and Copy it .......................... 167
7.4.5 Add Chamfer and Rounds ........................................................................ 169
Chapter 8 Sweep Features ...................................................................... 171
8.1 Single-Cross Section, Single-Path Sweep Features............................................... 172
8.1.1 Create a sweep feature by means of creating profile and path first.......... 172
8.1.2 Create a sweep feature within Sweep Command ..................................... 174
8.1.3 Edit Sweep Feature................................................................................... 175
8.2 Multiple Path and Cross Section (MPC) Sweep Features .................................... 175
8.2.1 Create a MPC sweep by means of creating profile and path first ............ 175
8.2.2 Create a MPC sweep within Sweep Command ........................................ 178
8.3 Project – Cranking Lever....................................................................................... 179
8.3.1 Create a crank head using revolved feature.............................................. 180
8.3.2 Add a handle body using sweep ............................................................... 182
8.3.3 Create a handle and hole by revolved feature........................................... 185
8.3.4 Create a rib, and rounds on the crank lever .............................................. 186
Chapter 9 Loft Features .......................................................................... 189
9.1 Cross-sections, Vertex Mapping, and Guide Curves............................................. 189
9.2 Construct Loft Features by Drawing Cross-sections and Guide Curves ............... 191
9.3 Construct Loft Feature by Selecting Cross-sections and Guide Curves................ 197
9.4 Loft Feature Modification ..................................................................................... 198
9.5 Project: Machine-Vise Handle.............................................................................. 199
9.5.1 Create a Handle Head ............................................................................... 200
9.5.2 Add a Handle Link ................................................................................... 201
9.5.4 Attach a Handle ........................................................................................ 203
9.5.4 Cut a Pocket.............................................................................................. 204
9.5.5 Create Chamfer and Rounds..................................................................... 204
Chapter 10 Draft, Thin Wall, Thin Region, and Thicken ................... 207
10.1 Draft Features ...................................................................................................... 207
10.1.1 Draft from Plane ..................................................................................... 208
10.1.2 Draft From Edge..................................................................................... 209
10.1.3 Draft From Parting Surface .................................................................... 211
10.1.4 Draft from Parting Line .......................................................................... 212
10.2 Thin Wall, Thin Region, and Thicken Features .................................................. 213
10.2.1 Thin Wall................................................................................................ 214
10.2.2 Thin Region ............................................................................................ 215
10.2.3 Thicken ................................................................................................... 217
10.3 Project: Power Socket Cover............................................................................... 218
10.3.1 Create Cover Body and Screw Poles...................................................... 219
10.3.2 Create Thin Walls................................................................................... 224
10.3.3 Create Slot, Hole and Cuts on The Cover Body..................................... 227

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10.3.4 Create Plug Bosses and Holes ................................................................ 229

Chapter 11 Curves, Surfaces, and Part Construction......................... 233
11.1 Curves.................................................................................................................. 233
11.1.1 Intersection Curve................................................................................... 233
11.1.2 Project Curve .......................................................................................... 235
11.1.3 Cross Curve ............................................................................................ 238
11.1.4 Keypoint Curve....................................................................................... 239
11.1.5 Curve By Table....................................................................................... 240
11.1.6 Contour Curve ........................................................................................ 242
11.1.7 Derived Curve......................................................................................... 243
11.1.8 Split Curve.............................................................................................. 244
11.1.9 Intersection Point.................................................................................... 245
11.2 Surfaces and Surface Transformation.................................................................. 246
11.2.1 Extruded, Revolved, Swept, and Lofted Surfaces .................................. 247
11.2.2 Bounded Surface..................................................................................... 248
11.2.3 Offset Surface ......................................................................................... 249
11.2.4 Copy Surface .......................................................................................... 250
11.2.5 BlueSurf.................................................................................................. 251
11.2.6 BlueDot................................................................................................... 255
11.2.7 Delete Faces............................................................................................ 257
11.2.8 Trim Surface ........................................................................................... 258
11.2.9 Extend Surface........................................................................................ 259
11.2.10 Stitched Surface and Shown Non-Stitched Edges................................ 260
11.2.11 Replace Face......................................................................................... 262
11.3 Part Construction ................................................................................................. 263
11.3.1 Part Copy ................................................................................................ 263
11.3.2 Divide Part.............................................................................................. 266
11.3.3 Boolean Feature...................................................................................... 267
11.4 Project: Fan Blade .............................................................................................. 269
11.4.1 Create Boundary Surfaces by Revolved Surfaces .................................. 270
11.4.2 Build Fan Blade by Curves and Lofted constructions............................ 272
11.4.3 Add Fan Hub, and Cut Shaft Hole.......................................................... 281
11.4.4 Pattern Blade .......................................................................................... 282
Chapter 12 Helical and Normal Features.............................................. 284
12.1 Helical Features ................................................................................................... 284
12.2 Normal Features, and Text Profile ...................................................................... 288
12.2.1 Text Profile ............................................................................................. 288
12.2.2 Normal Feature ....................................................................................... 290
12.3 Project: Fixed Jaw ............................................................................................... 292
12.3.1 Create Jaw Body..................................................................................... 293
12.3.2 Create Cutouts on Jaw Body .................................................................. 295
12.3.3 Create Trapezoid Thread Using Helical Cutout ..................................... 299
12.3.4 Create Jaw, Platform, and Screw Holes ................................................. 301
Chapter 13 Rib, Web Network, and Lip ............................................... 310
13.1 Rib ....................................................................................................................... 310
13.2 Web Network....................................................................................................... 313

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13.3 Lip........................................................................................................................ 316

13.4 Project: Rotary Yoke ........................................................................................... 317
13.4.1 Create Yoke Base ................................................................................... 318
13.4.2 Create Cylinder Boss and Cut Shaft Hole .............................................. 321
13.4.3 Create Ribs ............................................................................................. 322
13.4.4 Add Rounds ............................................................................................ 324
Chapter 14 Variables and Family of Parts............................................. 326
14.1 Variables.............................................................................................................. 326
14.1.1 Drive a dimension with a formula and another dimension..................... 326
14.1.2 Drive a dimension with a value from a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet .... 332
14.1.3 Drive a dimension from a Visual Basic function or subroutine ............. 335
14.2 Family of Parts .................................................................................................... 337
14.2.1 Define Master File of Family of Parts .................................................... 337
14.2.2 Populate Family Members...................................................................... 340
14.2.3 Suppressing and Resuming Features ...................................................... 341
14.2.4 Add or Delete Variables ......................................................................... 342
14.2.5 Add, Copy, Rename and Delete Family Members................................. 343
14.2.6 Modify a Family of Parts........................................................................ 344
14.3 Project: Flat Slotted Screw .................................................................................. 344
14.3.1 Create Flat Slotted Screw ....................................................................... 344
14.3.2 Change Variable Names and Add Formulas .......................................... 346
14.3.3 Create a Family of Flat Slotted Screws .................................................. 347
14.3.4 Populate Members of Family of Flat Slotted Screws ............................. 349
Chapter 15 Feature Edit, Reorder, and Model Roll Back................... 350
15.1 Feature Edit.......................................................................................................... 350
15.2 Feature Reorder ................................................................................................... 350
15.3 Feature Suppress/Unsuppress .............................................................................. 352
15.4 Model Rollback ................................................................................................... 352
15.5 Project: Oil Pan.................................................................................................... 353
15.5.1 Create Rim Body and Modify It By Editing Sketch............................... 354
15.5.2 Create Oil Pan Body ............................................................................... 356
15.5.3 Create Holes ........................................................................................... 357
15.5.4 Shell The Oil Pan, and Reorder The Thin Wall Before Holes ............... 359
15.5.5 Insert A Fillet on The Bottom of Oil Pan by Roll Back ......................... 361
Chapter 16 Sheet Metal............................................................................ 364
16.1 Sheet Metal Settings ............................................................................................ 364
16.2 Tab ....................................................................................................................... 366
16.3 Flange .................................................................................................................. 367
16.4 Contour Flange, and Lofted Flange..................................................................... 373
16.4.1 Contour Flange – Base Feature .............................................................. 373
16.4.2 Contour Flange – Add to Part................................................................. 374
16.4.3 Hem ........................................................................................................ 378
16.4.4 Lofted Flange.......................................................................................... 379
16.5 Normal Cutout, Cutout ........................................................................................ 381
16.6 Jog........................................................................................................................ 381
16.7 Bend, Unbend, and Rebend ................................................................................. 383

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16.8 Break Corner, Close Corner ................................................................................ 387

16.9 Dimple, Louver, Drawn Cutout, and Bead.......................................................... 389
16.9.1 Dimple .................................................................................................... 390
16.9.2 Louver..................................................................................................... 391
16.9.3 Drawn Cutout ......................................................................................... 394
16.9.4 Bead ........................................................................................................ 396
16.10 Flatten Sheet Metal Part, and Add Features in The Part Environment ............. 398
16.11 Sheet Metal Project:........................................................................................... 402
16.11.1 Create a Tab.......................................................................................... 403
16.11.2 Add a Bend to the Tab.......................................................................... 404
16.11.3 Attach Two Flanges on the Side Edges of the Tab............................... 405
16.11.4 Add a Tab to the Front Edge of the Part............................................... 406
16.11.5 Create a Jog on the Front Tab............................................................... 407
16.11.6 Add Two Contour Flanges on the Edge Flanges.................................. 408
16.11.7 Create a Rolled Hem on the Tip of The Front Flange .......................... 411
16.11.8 Break the Corners and Add Screw Holes ............................................. 412
16.11.9 Save The Hinge As Flat........................................................................ 415
Chapter 17 Assembly................................................................................ 416
17.1 Place Parts or Subassemblies into Assembly ...................................................... 416
17.2 Assembly Relationships ...................................................................................... 417
17.2.1 Ground , Mate and Reduced Steps ......................................................... 418
17.2.2 Planar Align............................................................................................ 421
17.2.3 Axial Align ............................................................................................. 422
17.2.4 Insert ....................................................................................................... 423
17.2.5 Connect................................................................................................... 424
17.2.6 Angle ...................................................................................................... 427
17.2.7 Tangent ................................................................................................... 428
17.2.8 Cam......................................................................................................... 430
17.2.9 FlashFit ................................................................................................... 431
17.2.10 Edit, Delete and Suppress Relationships .............................................. 432
17.3 Create New Part in-Place..................................................................................... 433
17.4 Pattern Parts in Assembly.................................................................................... 435
17.5 Create Systems Library ....................................................................................... 437
17.6 Assembly Layout................................................................................................. 440
17.7 Alternate Assemblies........................................................................................... 444
17.7.1 Alternate Position Assemblies................................................................ 445
17.7.2 Family of Assemblies ............................................................................. 448
17.8 Exploded Assembly............................................................................................. 451
17.8.1 Automatic Explode ................................................................................. 451
17.8.2 Explode................................................................................................... 452
17.8.3 Adjust Spread Distance .......................................................................... 454
17.8.4 Reposition............................................................................................... 454
17.8.5 Remove................................................................................................... 455
17.8.6 Collapse and Unexplode......................................................................... 455
17.8.7 Add Joggle and Remove Joggle ............................................................. 456
17.8.8 Bind Subassembly, and Unbind Subassembly ....................................... 457

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17.8.9 Move Part ............................................................................................... 457

17.9 Other Assembly Tools ......................................................................................... 458
17.9.1 Multi-Part Cutout.................................................................................... 459
17.9.2 Capture Fit .............................................................................................. 460
17.9.3 Move Part ............................................................................................... 461
17.9.4 Replace ................................................................................................... 463
17.9.5 Transfer / Disperse.................................................................................. 464
17.9.6 Show / Hide / Show Only /Activate Part / Inactivate Part...................... 467
17.10 Assembly Project: Mechanic Vise Assembly................................................... 469
17.10.1 Assemble Base and Bolt M8, Create Spherical Head Bolt In-Place .... 472
17.10.2 Assemble Fixed Jaw, Washer 8, Lock Nut, Lock Handle and Handle
Head................................................................................................................... 475
17.10.3 Install Guide Bar, Movable Jaw, and Washers..................................... 481
17.10.4 Add Screw, Cotter Pin, Handle, and Handle Head............................... 484
17.10.5 Install Jaw Plates, and Screw M3 ......................................................... 487
17.10.6 Explode Assembly................................................................................ 489
Chapter 18 Weldment .............................................................................. 492
18.1 Get Weldment Components................................................................................. 492
18.2 Prepare The Components for Welding ................................................................ 494
18.3 Add Weld Beads and Weld Lables...................................................................... 496
18.3.1 Fillet Weld .............................................................................................. 497
18.3.2 Label Weld ............................................................................................. 500
18.3.3 Stitch Weld ............................................................................................. 502
18.3.4 Construct Weld Beads With Protrusion Tools ....................................... 503
18.4 Post-Weld Machining .......................................................................................... 504
18.5 Create Feature Patterns and Stand-alone Documents.......................................... 504
18.6 Create Weldment in Weldment Assembly Environment .................................... 504
18.7 Weldment Project: Bearing Support.................................................................... 505
18.7.1 Build Parts and Assembly ...................................................................... 506
18.7.2 Create Preparation Features.................................................................... 511
18.7.3 Add Weld Beads..................................................................................... 512
18.7.4 Construct Post-Machining Features ....................................................... 517
Chapter 19 Drawing Template and Views ............................................. 522
19.1 Define Drawing Standards................................................................................... 522
19.2 Create Customized Template............................................................................... 529
19.2.1 Setup Sheet Size and Orientation ........................................................... 530
19.2.2 Add a border to the sheet and construct a title block.............................. 532
19.2.3 Add texts, property texts and company’s logo into the title block ......... 534
19.2.4 Save the template into the default folder of the Solid Edge ................... 538
19.2.5 Setup The Working Sheet Format .......................................................... 538
19.3 Generate Drawing Views..................................................................................... 539
19.3.1 Drawing View Wizard............................................................................ 540
19.3.2 Principle View ........................................................................................ 544
19.3.3 Auxiliary View ....................................................................................... 545
19.3.4 Cutting Plane and Section View............................................................. 546
19.3.5 Broken-Out Section View ...................................................................... 550

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19.3.6 Detail View............................................................................................. 551

19.3.7 Update Views ......................................................................................... 553
19.3.8 Broken Views ......................................................................................... 553
19.3.9 Crop Views ............................................................................................. 554
19.4 Project: Vertical Bearing Support Drawing........................................................ 555
19.4.1 Sheet Setup and Principle View Creation............................................... 555
19.4.2 Create a Top View and a Left View ....................................................... 556
19.4.3 Create a Section View ............................................................................ 557
19.4.4 Create an Auxiliary View ....................................................................... 558
19.4.5 Create a Detail View............................................................................... 559
Chapter 20 Drawing Detailing................................................................. 560
20.1 Dimensions .......................................................................................................... 560
20.1.1 Retrieve Dimensions............................................................................... 561
20.1.2 Chamfer Dimension................................................................................ 562
20.2 Annotations.......................................................................................................... 563
20.2.1 Center Line, Center Mark and Bolt Hole Circle..................................... 563
20.2.2 Leader and Callout ................................................................................. 567
20.2.3 Surface Texture Symbol, Weld Symbol, and Edge Condition ............... 569
20.2.4 Feature Control Frame, Datum Frame, and Datum Target..................... 572
20.2.5 Text......................................................................................................... 576
20.3 Hole Table ........................................................................................................... 577
20.4 Project: Bracket Drawing .................................................................................... 581
20.4.1 Create Drawing Views............................................................................ 581
20.4.2 Retrieve Model Dimensions ................................................................... 583
20.4.3 Add Radius Dimension and Center Lines .............................................. 584
20.4.4 Add Hole Callouts .................................................................................. 585
20.4.5 Add Dimension Tolerance and Surface Texture Symbol....................... 586
20.4.6 Add Text and Property Text ................................................................... 587
Chapter 21 Assembly Drawings .............................................................. 590
21.1 Bill of Materials (BOM) ...................................................................................... 590
21.2 Balloons ............................................................................................................... 595
21.3 Remove Hatch from Selected Part in Section Views .......................................... 596
21.4 Project: Mechanic Vise........................................................................................ 597
21.4.1 Create Assembly Views.......................................................................... 597
21.4.2 Remove Hatch from Some Parts ............................................................ 599
21.4.3 Add Dimensions, BOM, and Balloons ................................................... 600
21.4.4 Add A Drawing Sheet and An Exploded View...................................... 603

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