Page 347 - Mastering SolidWorks

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320 CHAPTER 10 USIng EqUATIOnS

You can use the FeatureManager Filter to find features with specific dimension names. In
Figure 10.3, the filter finds Sketch1, which has the HeightEnd dimension. The model view is
shown just to illustrate the dimension. The filter did not display the dimension on the model, but
clicking a feature found by the filter displays the value.

Figure 10.3
Using the Feature-
Manager Filter to filter
dimension names

Building the Equation
When creating an equation in SolidWorks, it is often a good idea to write it out on paper first to
make sure that the concept is correct. Examine the part shown in Figure 10.4, where the relevant
dimensions have been named and displayed. (The part shown in Figure 10.4 is included with the
download material for this chapter. The filename is Chapter 10 Equations.sldprt.) The number
of holes—called Instances here—is the driving variable. From that number, the spacing of the holes
is calculated over the length of the part. There is also a gap on each end of the pattern of holes. This
gap (measured between the center of the last hole and the end of the part) always needs to be half
of the spacing between the holes. The sigma symbols (Σ) to the left of the dimensions indicate that
an equation is driving it. Dimensions driven by equations cannot be directly edited.

Figure 10.4
Variables for the
hole pattern