How to make a Knurl in SolidWorks?

In this tutorial, we will be looking at how to make a knurling pattern in SolidWorks. Knurling is an idea to give gripping strength to small or large surfaces. This is for to making cylindrical bars for gyms and much more. Electric scooters have a throttle shaped with a knurling feature for improved grip of the thumb. Now let’s jump right into today’s tutorial. We will be looking at a part which is cylindrical.

Image 1: Cylindrical Part

Helix and Spiral:

The first step in knurling is to make a spiral in a clockwise direction with a radius. This spiral is responsible for dragging a sketch along that spiral to create a feature which will in the end make the knurling feature. To make the spiral, we must sketch a circle to give a radius for the spiral. After that, go to Curves in the CommandManager and click the last option Helix and Spirals.

Image 2: Circle Sketch

Image 3: Helix and Spiral Command

This will open up the options for making a spiral. We just want a normal spiral. Select the Height and Revolutions option in the first one. Second is the Parameters tab where you select Constant Pitch. Then the input the length of the cylinder in the Height parameter. Set the revolutions to 1. Leave the start angle at 90. The rotations should be set to clockwise. Check the green tick mark.

Image 4: Spiral Preview

Now proceed to do this same step but on the other opposite end of the cylinder. Sketch a circle first and then use the spiral command but choosing the counter clockwise option in the second spiral. Two spirals are now created.

Now, we will sketch the diamond shape of the knurling feature on both faces of the circles and cut sweep using the spiral as follows. First, we sketch the diamond as shown in the Image 5. Then we cut sweep by choosing the profile as the spiral we just made. This will cut sweep in the spiral direction.

Image 5: Diamond Shape Sketch

Image 6: Cut Sweep Diamond Sketch

Clockwise and Anti-Clockwise Cut Sweep:

After cut sweep command, we will Circular Pattern this cut sweep to cover the whole body as shown below. This is our ultimate goal. The clockwise cut sweep is complete.

Image 7: Clockwise Cut Sweep Circular Pattern Preview

Now we repeat the same with the other side but with the counterclockwise helix. The diamond sketch will be the same and the cut sweep and circular pattern will produce the knurling shape as shown below.