SolidWorks Tutorial 12

Clamp

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 Tutorial 12: Clamp

In this tutorial we are going to make a clamp. Many of the topics we will use you have
seen already, but we are also going to show you some new tools, including;
 Movements in an assembly.
 The creation of a rendering with PhotoView 360.
First, we are going to model the parts, and then we will make the assembly, in which you
can see the exact movement of the product. Finally, we are going to make a rendering in
PhotoView 360.

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Tutorial 12: Clamp

Base

Work plan

The first part we are going to make is the base. In the illustration below you can see the
dimensions.

First, you will make a work plan. How would you build this part?
The main problem in this part is that almost all the vertical planes are at an angle of 5°,
which is often the case with castings. To achieve that angle in the model, we use a new
feature: Draft.
Make a plan by yourself for how to create this model.
1 Start SolidWorks and open a new part. Set the units to MMGS.

2 Select the Front Plane and

make a sketch like you see
in the illustration on the
right.
Can you build this sketch
by yourself? Good,
continue to step 6.
If you cannot build this
sketch, then follow the next steps.

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 Tutorial 12: Clamp

3 Draw the lines as shown on the

right. Note the position of the
origin.

4 Now, select the

whole sketch (all
lines and the 3
centerline). The
easiest way to do this
is by drawing a
frame around the
whole sketch. 1
Next, click on Mirror
Entities in the
CommandManager.

2
5 Set the dimensions in the
sketch as shown on the
right.

6 Extrude the sketch over

a length of 100 mm.

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Tutorial 12: Clamp

7 We are now going to make the mounting holes.

Create a sketch on the upper surface of the model
as shown in the illustration on the right.
Can you build this sketch by yourself? Great!
Continue to step 14.
If you cannot build this sketch, then follow the
next few steps.

8 First, select the plane

where you want to
make the sketch.
Click on Normal To in
the menu that appears.

9 Next, draw the two centerlines, as illustrated on the

right.
Be careful to draw the centerlines in the exact center of
the model. To see if this worked out properly, you can
verify it with the Midpoint symbols. These are at the
end of the centerlines.

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 Tutorial 12: Clamp

10 Draw a circle, similar to the illustration on the right.

11 Now mirror the circle:

1 Select the circle.

2 Hold the <Ctrl> key

and select the vertical 3
centerline.
3 Select Mirror Entities
in the
CommandManager. 1 2

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Tutorial 12: Clamp

12 The two circles we have

created will be mirrored
a second time:
1-3 Select the two circles 4
we have already
drawn before and the
horizontal centerline.
Use the <Ctrl> key.
4 Select Mirror Entities 1 2
in the
CommandManager.

13 Add the dimension as shown in the sketch.

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 Tutorial 12: Clamp

14 Make an
Extruded
Cut from the
sketch with
the depth
Through
All.

Tip: In these two sketches we have mirrored some entities. This not only saves time
because you have to draw less, but the mirrored parts also remain constrained to
each other and will always be symmetrical.
15 Now, select the
front plane of the
model and select
Normal To.
Make a sketch on
this plane.

16 Can you build this sketch all by

yourself? Great! Continue to step 25.
If you cannot build this sketch, then
follow the next steps.

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Tutorial 12: Clamp

17 First, draw a centerline from

the origin vertically upwards.
2
The exact length does not
matter.

18 Draw a horizontal line as

illustrated on the right.
The beginning of the line is
at the upper surface of the 1
model.
The endpoint is on the
vertical centerline.
Push the <Esc> key to abort
the line command.
2 3

19 Now, draw a second line as

shown.
The beginning of the line is
exactly on the beginning of
1
the last line you drew.
The line is not positioned 3
vertically but at a slight
angle in relation to the
vertical centerline.
2

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 Tutorial 12: Clamp

20 Create an arc:
1 Click on Arc in the
CommandManager.
1
2 Click on Tangent Arc in
the PropertyManager. 4
3 Click on the endpoint of
the line you have just
2
3
drawn to get the first
point of the arc.
4 To get the endpoint of
the arc, click on the
centerline as shown.
5 Click the <Esc> key to abort the command.

21 Select the
centerline.
Hold the <Ctrl>
key and select the
center of the arc. 1
This is marked as a 2
little +.
Click on
Coincident in the
PropertyManager.
3

22 Select the whole

sketch (including the
centerline), and click on
Mirror Entities in the 3
CommandManager.

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Tutorial 12: Clamp

23 Next, you have to draw

a circle.
1
Put the center of the
circle on the center of
the arc.
3

24 Set the dimensions in

the sketch as shown.

25 Extrude this sketch.

1 Set the depth to 25 mm.
2 Make sure your 3
extrusion extends in the
right direction with
Reverse Direction.
Rotate the model to its
isometric position. 2
Otherwise, you will not
be able to see this. 1
3 Click on OK.

26 We are going to set all

vertical planes at an angle of 5°.
For this we will use a new feature:
Draft.
Click on Draft in the
CommandManager.

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 Tutorial 12: Clamp

27 First, we select the

Neutral Plane. This
is the partitioning
plane from the mold
or matrix.
Rotate the model so
you have a good
view of the bottom.
Select the bottom
plane.

28 We can now select

the planes that we
want to tilt.
Click on all vertical
planes as shown in
the illustration on
the right. There are
7 planes in total. To
select them all, you
will have to rotate
the model.

29 Next, you have to

set two more items.
1 Set the Draft Angle to 3
5° in the
PropertyManager.
2 In the model, the angle
1
direction is indicated
by an arrow. Make
sure this arrow points 2
upward. You can
change direction by
clicking on the arrow.
3 Click on OK in the PropertyManager.

30 Select the Right Plane

in the model and make
the sketch as shown.
If you can do it
yourself, then continue
to step 37, if not, follow
the next few steps.

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Tutorial 12: Clamp

31 Draw a line similar to

the one in the
illustration.
1

3
2

32 Use the Autotransitioning

technique that we used
before when we wanted to
draw an arc using the line
command.
1 Move the cursor away
from the last point that
you drew.
2 Return the cursor exactly
to the last point again (do NOT click on it!).
3 Move the cursor away and you will be drawing an arc.

4 Click as shown in the illustration to set an arc.

33 Click on the spot as shown

on the right.
Use the dotted auxiliary
line: it is aligned to the arc.
Note the two yellow icons
near the cursor. These must
be visible at the moment
that you set the end point.
34 Click on the beginning of
the first line now.

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 Tutorial 12: Clamp

35 Draw a circle with its

midpoint on the midpoint of
the arc. 1

2 3

36 Set the dimensions as

shown on the right.

37 Extrude this sketch.

1 Select the option Mid
Plane in the 3
PropertyManager.
2 Set the distance to 6 mm.

3 Click on OK.

1
2

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Tutorial 12: Clamp

38 Round the corners

from the model with
the Fillet feature. 2
Set the radius to
1.5 mm and select the
edges as shown on the
right.
Click on OK.

39 Use the Fillet feature

again to round off the
rest of the edges. Do 2
this using a radius of
1 mm.
40 The first part of the
clamp is now ready.
Save it as:
base.SLDPRT.

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 Tutorial 12: Clamp

Arm

Work plan

The next part we will create is half of the arm. This part is made from sheet metal, so we
will be using the SolidWorks Sheet Metal functions.
To make this part you need to use two new features:
1 Jog, which allows you to make a double bend in a part.

2 Sketched bend, which allows you to draw a line on a sheet of metal that will act as a
bending line.

Making this part is actually very simple.

1 Use sheet metal. While making this part is easy, the sketch we have to make is fairly
complicated.
2 Next we will Jog the part.
3 Finally, we will bend the sheet with the Sketched Bend command.

41 Open a new part and set the units

to MMGS.
Select the Right Plane and make
the sketch as shown on the right.
Did you succeed? Continue with
step 56.
If you need help, follow the next
few steps.

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Tutorial 12: Clamp

42 Draw three centerlines on the Right

Plane first, as shown on the right.
Draw the first centerline horizontally
from the origin to the left.
Set the dimensions as shown in the
illustration.

43 To offset sketch entities:

1,2 Select the two bottom
centerlines (use the
<Ctrl> key).
3 Click on Offset Entities 3
in the
CommandManager. 6
2
4 Set the distance to 8 mm
4 1
in the
PropertyManager.
5 Check the option Bi- 5
directional.
6 Click on OK.

44 Draw a circle with the midpoint on

the left end of the centerline. Set the
dimension to Ø10 mm.

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 Tutorial 12: Clamp

45 Next, draw a line.

1 Set the beginning at a
random spot, as
shown on the right.
2 Set the second point
on the circle. Make
sure it touches the
circle at the correct
spot. You can tell by
the coincident and
tangent icons that pop
up at the cursor.
3 Push the <Esc> key
on the keyboard to
abort the Line
command.
46 Select the line and the
centerline as shown on
the right.
3
Click on Mirror
Entities in the
CommandManager.
2

47 Set the angle between the lines to 5°.

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Tutorial 12: Clamp

48 Next, we will trim the part of the

circle that lies between the lines.
1 Click on Trim Entities in the
CommandManager. 1
2 Click on Trim to closest in the
PropertyManager.
3 Click on the parts of the circle that
need to be removed.

3
4

49 We need another half circle

at the other end of the
sketch.
1 Click on Arc in the 1
CommandManager.
2 Click on Tangent Arc in
the PropertyManager.
3 Click on the end of the 2
upper line.
4 Click on the end of the
3
bottom line.

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 Tutorial 12: Clamp

50 We want to round the

four corners now.
1 Click on Sketch Fillet
in the 1
CommandManager.
2 Set the radius to 8 mm
in the 5
PropertyManager.
4
3 Click on the bottom
corner as shown.
4,5 Click on both line
which we want to
connect with an arc.

2 3

51 A message appears. Click Yes.

Click on OK.

Explination!

What does the message in step 51 mean?

The upper sloped lines in the sketch are mirrored lines (from step 46). For this reason, the
lines are connected together by a relation: they are symmetrical around the centerline and
equally long.
When you want to round one of these lines, their lengths will not be equal anymore. The
symmetry will be disconnected or destroyed and that is what the software warns you
about.
The lines were black (fully defined) but after you click on Yes and the symmetry is
disconnected, they will turn blue (not fully defined). We will show you how to resolve this
later.

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Tutorial 12: Clamp

52 Set the radius

to 4 mm and
round the two
other corners
the same way.

3 2

53 To return to a fully defined

sketch, you have to follow
the next few steps:
1 Remove the dimension
of 5°.
2 Add two angles of 2.5°
instead.

54 Finally, we have to draw two holes.

Draw two circles as shown on the
right.
The midpoints are on the ends of the
bottom centerline.
Set the size for one of the holes to Ø6
mm.

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 Tutorial 12: Clamp

55 Select both (use the

<Ctrl> key).
Click on Equal in the
PropertyManager.

1 2

56 We will make a part with sheet metal

from this sketch.
Make sure the tab Sheet Metal is
displayed in the CommandManager.
If not, right-click on one of the other tabs 1
and select the Sheet Metal function in 2
the pop-up menu.

57 Click on the Sheet Metal tab in the

CommandManager.
Click on Base Flange/Tab. 2

1
58 Set the thickness for the
material to 2.5 mm in the
PropertyManager.
2
Click on OK.

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Tutorial 12: Clamp

59 We will now make a double

bend in the sheet. This is
called a Jog.
Select the flat surface from
the model and make the
sketch as shown: it consists of
one horizontal line and a
dimension.

60 Click on Jog in the

CommandManager.

61 To add the Jog:

1 First, click on the part
of the model that must 7
be fixed. Click on the
spot as indicated. 1
2 Set the distance to 3
mm. 5
3 This distance is called
the Outside Offset. 2
4 Select the option Bend
centerline to set the 3
position of the jog.
5 Make sure that the jog 4
goes backwards with
the Reverse Direction 6
command as shown in
the illustration.
Set the Jog Angle to 45°.
6

7 Click on OK.

62 Next, we have to bend the

upper end of the arm.
Select the plane as shown
and make a sketch. Draw a
vertical line and set the
distance to 110 mm from the
origin.
63 Click on Sketch Bend in
the CommandManager.

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 Tutorial 12: Clamp

64 Set the following

options:
1 Again, you will have 4
to indicate first
which plane stays
fixed. Click on the
spot as indicated in
the illustration. 2
2 Set the angle to 90°.
3 1
3 Make sure that this
part of the sheet
metal is bending in the right direction with Reverse Direction. The arrow in model
indicating the direction must point backwards.
4 Click on OK.

65 This model is now finished. Save it as: Arm-right.SLDPRT.

66 We need a mirrored
copy from this part.
This is very easy to
3
create. 2
1 Select the plan as
shown in the model.
This is the ‘mirror’ 1
for the mirror
command (the
mirror ‘axis’).
2 Open the pull-down
4
menus.
3 Click on Insert in
the pull-down
menus.
4 Click on Mirror Part...

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Tutorial 12: Clamp

67 Click on OK in the PropertyManager.

68 A new file has opened containing the mirrored part.

This part is constrained to the original part. If you change the

original, the mirrored copy will also change.
Save this part as: Arm-left.SLDPRT.

Bracket

Work plan

The next part is a bracket. This is much simpler than the last part. How would you handle
this? Make a plan!

We will build this part in sheet metal too.

69 Open a part and set the units
to MMGS. Make the sketch
on the Right Plane as shown.
When done, continue to
step 73.
If you have trouble, follow the
next few steps.

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 Tutorial 12: Clamp

70 Draw a centerline horizontally to the right

from the origin.
Set a dimension for the length: 45 mm.

71 Draw two circles with the centers

at both endpoints of the
centerlines.
Set the dimension from one of the
circles to Ø6 mm.
Select both circles and set an
Equal relation.
72 To offset sketch entities:

1 Select the centerline.

2 Click on Offset Entities
in the
CommandManager. 2
3 Set a distance of
6.25 mm in the 6
PropertyManager. 1
4 Check the option Bi- 3
directional.
5 Check the option Cap 4
ends and next check
Arcs.
6 Click on OK. 5

73 First, click on the Sheet Metal tab in

the CommandManager, then on
Base Flange/Tab.
2

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Tutorial 12: Clamp

74 Set the thickness of the material to

2.5 mm in the PropertyManager.
Click on OK. 2

75 Make the sketch as shown. Draw a

vertical line and set the dimension
from that line to the center of the left
hole to 12.5 mm.

76 Click on Jog in the

CommandManager
and set the following 3
features in the
PropertyManager:
1 Click on the middle
of the model to
determine the fixed 1
plane.
2 All the other settings
will be the same as
the last time you did
this. So you do not
have to change them.
Check the settings
with the illustration.
3 Click on OK.

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 Tutorial 12: Clamp

77 Make a second Jog

at the other end of
the bracket. Do
exactly the same as
you did in the last
two steps, only now
set the vertical line
12.5 mm from the
right hole.
78 Save the file as:
Link.SLDPRT.

Rod

Work plan

We will make the pin now. This is a simple part that you can probably make by yourself
without any problem. We only provide the main steps.

79 Open a new part and set the units to MMGS. Make the
sketch on the Front Plane as shown. It consists only of
one circle.
Extrude this circle to a length of 100 mm.

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Tutorial 12: Clamp

80 Make a sketch as shown. Use the

center rectangle tool to make sure that
the rectangle is exactly in the middle
of the circle. The height of the
rectangle does not matter.

81 Make an Extruded Cut from this

sketch.
1 The depth is 15 mm.

2 Check the option Flip side to

cut to make sure that the
material on the outside of the
rectangle will be removed and
not on the inside, like we
would do with a normal
Extruded Cut. 1

82 Make the sketch as shown. Draw the diagonal

centerline. Next draw a circle on the midpoint of
the centerline.
Make an Extruded Cut with a depth set to
Through All for this sketch.

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 Tutorial 12: Clamp

83 Finally, chamfer the end of

the pin by 1 mm x 45°
using the Chamfer feature.
84 Save the file as
Rod.SLDPRT.

Socket

Work plan

The next part is the cap. It only consists of one feature: a Revolved Boss.

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Tutorial 12: Clamp

85 Open a new part and set the units to MMGS.

Make the sketch on the Front Plane as shown.
Make the sketch complete without any fillets.
Only when the sketch is done use the Sketch
Fillet command.
Make a Revolved Boss over 360° from this
sketch.
86 Save the file as Socket.SLDPRT.

Rivet

Work plan

Finally, we have to build a rivet. This is also a part made from only one Revolved Boss
feature.
We need two lengths of rivets though: 16 mm and 11 mm. That is why we will make two
configurations of this part.

87 Open a new part and set

the units to MMGS.
Make the sketch as
shown on the Front
Plane.
You can of course draw
half of the sketch first
and mirror it around the
centerline.
The sloped edges
should be done with the
Sketch Chamfer command.

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 Tutorial 12: Clamp

88 Select the upper

horizontal line in the
sketch. This will be our 2
rotation axis.
Click on Revolved
Boss/Base.
1
Click on OK in the
PropertyManager to
make the rotation.

89 Go to the ConfigurationManager.

90 Change the name of the current

configuration from Default to 16mm.

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Tutorial 12: Clamp

91 Add a new configuration.

1 Right-click on the upper line.

2 Click on Add Configuration...

1 2

92 Name the new configuration 11mm.

Click on OK.
2

93 Change the length of the rivet.

1 Double-click on the model. The
1
dimensions appear.
2 Double-click on the dimension
16 mm. The Modify menu
appears.
3 Change the size to 11 mm.

4 Select This configuration. The

changed value will only be 6
2
altered in the active 5
configuration now and not in
the other one. 4
3
5 Click on Rebuild to activate the 4
changes.
6 Click on OK.

94 This part is ready too. Save it as Rivet.SLDPRT.

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 Tutorial 12: Clamp

Clamp Assembly
95 All parts of the clamp are now ready, so we can start building the assembly. Try it
yourself first. If you need help, follow the steps below.
Open a new assembly and set the units to MMGS.
96 Place the base in the
assembly, next the pin and
the cap. You can place the
components in random
positions on the screen.

97 To mate the components:

1 Click on Mate in the
CommandManager. 5 2
2,3 Select the two
surfaces from the pin
and the base as
illustrated on the right.
4 Because the pin is in
the wrong direction,
you must click either
Aligned or Anti-
Aligned in the 3
CommandManager.
The pin is reversed
now. 4
5 Click on OK.

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98 Select the two surfaces

as shown.
Click on OK. 3
2

99 Select the face on the

inside of the cap as
shown.

100 Rotate the model

and select the face
from the rod as 2
shown.
Click twice on
OK to end the
Mate command. 1

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101 Use Insert Component to put the two arms in

the assembly.

102 Click
on Mate in the
CommandManager
again. 3
Select the two edges 1
as shown.
Click on OK.

103 Rotate the model and

do the same again for the
other arm. 3

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104 Try to drag the parts around the screen now.

You will notice that you can only move the
pin and cap left and right and rotate the
arms. These movements are determined by
the mates you have added.
Add two brackets to the assembly.

105 Start the Mate command again

and make a Coincident mate
(not a Concentric mate!). 3 1
Select the two edges as shown
on the right.
Click on OK.

106 Select the two edges as shown.

Click on OK.
3

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107 Set the other bracket as well.

Use the option Anti-Aligned to
reverse the bracket.

108 You can move the arm now and you

will see the clamp functioning.
To finish the model, you need to add the rivets.
You will need one rivet of 11mm and two rivets
of 16mm.
109 The assembly is ready now. Save the file as
Clamp.SLDASM.

Checking the model.

When you move the arm of the clamp you will notice that the brackets collide with the
base.
To solve this problem, we need to extend the base a bit.

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110 The easiest way to extend

the size of the base is to do
the following:
1 Double-click on the base.
The dimensions appear.
2 Find the length (100) and
double-click on this. The
Modify menu appears.
3 Change the size to 5 4
110 mm.
4 Click on Rebuild and
check to see if the change 3 1
is correct.
2
5 Click on OK.

Checking the model

The arm for the pin can rotate 360 degrees and in the software, the arm goes right through
the material of the base. This is not possible in the real world, so we want to limit the
rotation of the arm.

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111 To find the most extreme

positions, we will follow the
next few steps: 1
1 Make sure the arm is
pointing upward.
2 Click on Move
Components in the
CommandManager.
3 Select the option Collision
Detection in the
PropertyManager.
4 Check the function Stop at
2
collision.

3
112 Move the arm again. Notice
that the movement is limited to
the position where two parts
collide. At that point, the
colliding parts turn blue.

Model Rendering

Work plan

Finally, we will make a rendering from this model. A rendering is a picture of the model
with all features displayed as realistically as possible. You can use a rendering for many
communication purposes, such as in a presentation.
To make a rendering in SolidWorks, we use an add-in called PhotoView 360. This is a
very robust program with a wide range of capabilities. We will show you how to make a
standard rendering using the default settings.

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113 Check to see if PhotoView

360 is activated.
1 Click on the tab Office
Products in the 2
CommandManager.
2 Click on the Photoview 3 1
360 button if not already
selected.
3 Select the tab Render
Tools in the CommandManager.
The buttons and functions of Photoview 360 are now displayed in the
CommandManager.
114 Put the model in a
perspective view. This
will give a more
natural look than an 1
isometric or diametric
view.
1 Click on View 2
Settings.
2 Click on Perspective.

Rotate the model to establish the view that you want to show in the rendering.

115 We will determine the kind of material for the different parts.
Click on Edit Appearance in the CommandManager.

116 Check the option

Apply at component
level in the
PropertyManager.
Click on the cap in the
model. 1

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117 Apply an appearance to

the cap. 2
1 Click on the
Appearances,
Scenes, and Details 3
in the Task Pane (on
1 4
the right side of your
screen).
2 Click on
Appearances.
3 Click on Rubber.
4 Click on Matte.

5 You will only find one

kind of material in this
category. Select it. 5
The cap now has the
appearance of matte
rubber.
118 Click on the pushpin in
the PropertyManager. The
PropertyManager will remain visible even 1
after you have clicked OK. This will come in
handy when you are applying appearances to
several parts. 2
Click on OK.

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119 Selectthe base in

the model.

120 Select Cast Iron.

Click on OK in the 2
PropertyManager.
121 You can do the same 3
with all of the other
parts yourself. You 1
can also determine
colors for the
different parts.
Try this or keep the 4
default settings.

122 Now that we

have determined
the appearances,
we can set the
scene around the
product. The
scene is the environment, the background, and/or the lighting. SolidWorks has a
number of standard scenes.
Click on Edit Scene in the CommandManager.

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123 In the Appearances,

Scenes, and Details
task pane:
1
1 Click on Scenes. 2
2 Click on Basic
Scenes.
3 Select the scene Soft
Spotlight.
4 Click OK in the
PropertyManager.

124 Select
Options in the
CommandManager.
Change the Output 2
image size to
1024x768 (or a
different size of your
choosing). 1
Other settings such as
the final render quality
can be set here as well.
Click on OK.

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125 Click on Preview Window

in the CommandManager.
This provides a preview of
what the final image will
look like. Move and zoom in
on the model in order to
position it within the
window.

126 When the image looks

OK, click on Final
Render in the
CommandManager.

127 When the rendering

is complete, the
image can be saved
by clicking Save
Image. Save the
image to a location
of your choosing.
128 Try changing the
scene, appearances
or position of the
model and create
other rendered
images.

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Tip: Make sure to use the Preview Window before making the final rendering. This will
save you a lot of time when making changes.
Tip: What you have just seen in PhotoView 360 is only the beginning of what you can do
with this application. You can change whatever you like: the background, the
appearances, the lighting, and so on. These steps are not included in this tutorial, but
if you are interested, try them yourself.

What are the main features you have learned in this tutorial?

In this tutorial you have learned a lot of new tools.

 You have used Jog in the sheet metal features.
 You have used the Draft feature to slope faces in the model.
 You have seen how to limit the movement in an assembly.
 You have used PhotoView 360.
 The most important thing you have gained, however, is the practice the tutorial has
provided in modeling and, even more importantly, making sketches.
This is the last tutorial in this series. When you have completed all twelve exercises and
have done some additional practice, you should be able to work with SolidWorks quite
well now.
To get even better, all you need to do is practice, practice, and practice some more!
Not all of the features in SolidWorks were presented in these tutorials. That would be
virtually impossible, given the vast possibilities and features in the software.
You are now a SolidWorks ‘user’ and that means you can try and build something on your
own. You will learn a lot from doing this. If you do not succeed with one or more
functions, use the help function. It will help you to get on with your work.
Do not be afraid to try things yourself and keep on practicing. You will soon be able to call
yourself a SolidWorks expert!

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