Page 255 - Mastering SolidWorks

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identiFying when to use which tool 227

With this bit of background, it is time to move forward and talk about a few of the major
aspects of Loft features in SolidWorks. In this single chapter, I do not have the space to cover the
topic exhaustively, but coverage of the major concepts will be enough to point you in the right
direction.

Controlling Sweep Features
The Sweep feature generally uses multiple sketches. A sweep is made from a profile (cross
section) and a path, and it can create a Boss or a Cut feature. If you want, you can also use guide
curves. Sweeps can run the gamut from simple to complex. Typical simple sweeps are used to
create wire, tubing, or hose. Sweeps that are more complex are used for creating objects such as
bottles, involutes, springs, and corkscrews.
The main criterion for selecting a sweep to create a feature is that you must be able to identify
a cross section and a path. The profile (cross section) can change along the path, but the overall
shape must remain the same. The profile is typically perpendicular to the path, although this is
not a requirement.
A recent addition to the software includes an option in the Sweep PropertyManager for a
Circular Profile. This is for simple sweeps with a circle driven along a path by its center, main-
taining a constant diameter (such as wire, hose, pipe, and so on). To use this function, specify the
diameter of the circle in the PropertyManager.

Using a Simple Sweep
An example of a simple sweep is shown in Figure 7.10. The paper clip uses a circle as the
profile and the coiled lines and arcs as the path. Simple sweeps keep the same size and
shape profile along the entire path. This sweep could use the previously mentioned option
for Circular Profile, also shown in Figure 7.10.

Figure 7.10
The sweep Profile
follows the path.

profile or cross
section
sweep
path

Using a Sweep with Guide Curves
Sweeps that are more complex begin to control the size, orientation, and position of the cross
section as it travels through the sweep. When you use a guide curve, several analogies can be
used to visualize how the sweep works. The cross section/profile is solved at several intermedi-
ate positions along the path. If the guide curve does not follow the path, the difference between