Lets learn how to thicken surfaces in SolidWorks!
Which is better Surface modeling or solid modeling?
The answer to this question is ” it depends upon the design requirement”. Some designs or shapes are impossible to define using only solid features. In order to generate that particular shape, you need to integrate surface features to define the complete geometry. For Example, the image model has an upper surface that is organic in this geometry and cant be designed/molded with solid features.
Every 3D CAD modeling process begins with a 2d sketch, then there are two main options to bring into 3D – Solid extrusion or surface geometry. In some cases the design created using both methods can be the same.
Thicken Surface in Solidworks
First, you have to create the surface. If you have already created the surface you can skip these steps.
- Select sketch and draw a profile for the surface.
- In the features tab Select Surface and under command manager click on Extrude surfaces.
If you didn’t find the surface tab then, Right click in the command Manger > Tabs > Tick/select the Surface.
- Select the sketch and give the appropriate length to the surface. There are many ways by which you can create the surfaces like,
Extrude Surface, Revolved Surface, Swept Surface, Lofted Surfaces, Boundary Surface, Fillet surface, and Freeform.
After creating the surface next step will be to give the thickness. As the surface has s negligible thickness and for practicality, the model or surface of any design has some thickness.
- Click on Thicken in command manager under the surface features tab.
- Select the Surface, you can select multiple surfaces to the apply same thickness.
- We have the option of thickness direction named Thicken Side 1, Thicken Both side, and Thicken Side 2. We also have the option to give thickness in a particular direction we have to create and a select direction sketch for that.
- At last we have to give the Thickness value/parameter and then click on OK.
