Boss/Base Sweep Feature

Today we will take a closer look at the Sweep feature and the Cut Sweep feature. With the Sweep feature, you can create a shape by moving a 2D sketch Profile along a 2D or 3D sketch Path. You will discover all the different options of this powerful feature.

You will also learn how to model a pipe and a real (no cosmetic) thread with the sweep feature so it is going to be an interesting lesson today.

Want to try this feature yourself? Here’s a step by step tutorial to play around with the sweep feature:

Open a new part with model units set to millimeters

Go to: File > New > Part

Create a 2D sketch

Select the Top Plane in the feature tree (menu at the left side) and create a sketch by clicking on the 2D Sketch icon 

The display changes so the Top plane faces you.

Create a Spline

Go to Tools > Sketch Entities > Spline or click on the spline icon

Create a spline starting at the Origin as shown in the picture. 

Click at the Sketch button in the upper right corner close the 2D Sketch 

Create a New Plane

Make a Plane perpendicular to the endpoint of the spline

Go to Insert > Reference Geometry > Plane or click on the Plane icon

Select the Endpoint of the Spline as the First Reference

Select the Spline itself as Second Reference

Click OK 

Create a 2D sketch on Plane1

Select the new Plane1 in the feature tree and create a sketch by clicking on the 2D Sketch icon. 

Create a Circle

Go to Tools > Sketch Entities > Circle or click on the circle icon

Start the midpoint of the circle at the endpoint of the spline

Click at the Sketch button in the upper right corner close the 2D Sketch  

Create a Swept Boss/Base

Go to: Insert > Boss/Base > Sweep or click on the Sweep icon

Profile : Select the blue Sketch2

Path : Select the pink Sketch1

It’s possible to keep the Profile sketch Normal to the start direction if you wish

To enable this click on the Options menu and change the Orientation/twist type into Keep normal constant

There are many other options in the Sweep menubar such as the Follow Path and 1^st Guide Curve / Follow 1^st and 2^nd Guide Curves / Twist Along Path and Twist Along Path with Normal Constant. 

The best way to discover these options is to try and notice what happens with the sweep.

You can also make a hollow sweep with the Thin Feature

Just select the Thin Feature option in the Sweep menubar and change the Thickness of the wall

Click OK 

Did you like this tutorial and are you eager to learn more? Then you should really check my SOLIDWORKS Boeing 747 course. In this video training course, I will show you how to model an incredible Boeing 747-8 in SOLIDWORKS from scratch.

Click here for a free video to start modeling your own Boeing 747-8 in SOLIDWORKS.

Cheers,

Jan