SolidWorks has a feature using which you can remove material from a solid part. You can use this feature to remove material internally or externally. Using this feature we can keep a small thickness of material while deleting all material. The process of using Shell in SolidWorks is very easy. The shell feature is easy to find and use. Making pockets, open faces, and creating thin walls in complex geometry shell is preferred. In this article, you shall be going through the steps needed to use this feature. We are using a simple Cuboid for illustration. The steps are as follows:

1. In the Command manager under features, you can easily locate the Shell feature.
2. Once you click on the shell option a window opens in the property manager.
3. If you want to make a single thickness shell or multi-thickness. Also if you want the shell to be outward or inward. Here we shall perform normal shell operation.
4. Here we have simply used the feature and clicked on show preview. Shell thickness is 10mm. The shell will look as below.
5. The steps are pretty simple and easy to follow. In case you want to remove a face just select it as in the picture below.

The final CAD will look as follows:

Advanced Techniques for Creating Shells in SolidWorks

Creating shells in SolidWorks is a useful technique for producing hollow parts with a specific thickness. While the basic steps for creating shells are relatively straightforward, there are advanced techniques that can be used to create more complex shells. Here are some advanced techniques for creating shells in SolidWorks:

1. Multi-thickness shells: In some cases, you may need to create a shell with varying thicknesses. This can be achieved by creating multiple shell features with different thicknesses, and then merging them together using the “Combine” feature. This technique can be particularly useful for creating complex shapes that require varying thicknesses in different areas.
2. Using shell features with fillets and chamfers: Shelling a part can sometimes result in sharp edges and corners, which may not be desirable for certain applications. To create a more rounded edge or corner, you can use the “Fillet” or “Chamfer” features in combination with the shell feature. This allows you to create a shell with a rounded or chamfered edge, which can improve the aesthetics and functionality of the part.
3. Creating shells with variable thickness: While most shells have a uniform thickness, there may be situations where a part requires a varying thickness. One way to achieve this is by using the “Variable Thickness” feature. This allows you to specify different thicknesses for different areas of the shell, resulting in a part with a variable wall thickness.

By using these advanced techniques, you can create more complex and customized shells in SolidWorks. However, it’s important to note that these techniques require a more advanced understanding of SolidWorks, so it’s recommended that you have a solid understanding of the basics before attempting these techniques. With practice and experience, you can create intricate and customized shells for your designs.

Troubleshooting Tips for Creating Shells in SolidWorks

Creating shells in SolidWorks can sometimes result in issues that prevent the part from being created correctly. Here are some common issues that can arise when creating shells, and some troubleshooting tips for resolving them:

1. Intersecting faces: When creating a shell, you may encounter intersecting faces that prevent the part from being shelled. One way to resolve this issue is to use the “Intersect” command to find the intersection between the faces, and then remove the intersecting section of the part.
2. Non-manifold edges: Non-manifold edges occur when edges have more than two faces that meet at a vertex. This can prevent a part from being shelled, as the shell feature requires a closed volume with no voids. To resolve this issue, you can use the “Delete Face” command to remove the non-manifold edges and create a closed volume.
3. Overlapping faces: Overlapping faces occur when two or more faces are in the same location, which can cause issues when creating a shell. To resolve this issue, you can use the “Delete Face” command to remove the overlapping faces, or use the “Combine” feature to merge the faces together.
4. Thin-walled parts: Shelling a thin-walled part can result in a shell that is too thin to be produced by the manufacturing process. To resolve this issue, you can use the “Thicken” feature to add a small amount of thickness to the part before shelling.

By using these troubleshooting tips, you can resolve common issues that arise when creating shells in SolidWorks. It’s important to note that some of these issues may require a more advanced understanding of SolidWorks, so it’s recommended that you have a solid understanding of the basics before attempting these troubleshooting techniques.

 

Best Practices for Creating Shells in SolidWorks

Creating shells in SolidWorks requires attention to detail and a good understanding of the software’s capabilities. Here are some best practices for creating shells in SolidWorks that can help you create high-quality, accurate parts:

1. Fully define the solid body: Before creating a shell, ensure that the solid body is fully defined. This means that all dimensions and relationships between features are specified. A fully defined solid body will prevent any unexpected changes to the part during the shelling process.
2. Use the “Thicken” feature for thin-walled parts: Shelling a thin-walled part can result in a shell that is too thin to be produced by the manufacturing process. To avoid this, use the “Thicken” feature to add a small amount of thickness to the part before shelling.
3. Use the “Offset Surface” feature to add additional thickness: In some cases, you may want to add additional thickness to selected surfaces of the part. The “Offset Surface” feature can be used to create additional thickness to selected surfaces, which can be helpful for creating specific features or for strengthening certain areas of the part.
4. Use the “Delete Face” command to remove unwanted features: Sometimes, certain features of the part may prevent it from being shelled. The “Delete Face” command can be used to remove these features and create a closed volume for the shell.
5. Keep the part design in mind: When creating a shell, it’s important to consider the overall design of the part. Ensure that the shell is consistent with the design intent and that it doesn’t negatively affect the overall functionality of the part.

By following these best practices, you can create high-quality, accurate shells in SolidWorks. Additionally, by keeping the part design in mind, you can ensure that the final product is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.