Ctopher Custom Material Database

ctopher custom materials for SOLIDWORKSAuthor: Chris Saller, et al.

Author’s website: ctophers home

Ctopher’s Custom Materials Database allows you to add many materials to SOLIDWORKS which are not currently included as part of the default installation.  Materials range from ceramics, metal alloys, plastics, crystals, and even magnets.  Current version was created using SOLIDWORKS 2016.

This database is provided for reference only, being based on tertiary sources.  The database is not an official offering from DS SolidWorks Corp. in anyway, nor is DS SolidWorks Corp responsible for any content or how it is used.  Information within the database is not guaranteed to be correct or accurate.  Information within the database was submitted from multiple persons and sources.  No one is responsible for the content of the database.  The user of this database uses it at their own risk.  The user is responsible to crosscheck all information for accuracy to a level that suits their own needs. 

The database is a combination of materials used in aerospace and military applications, and SolidWorks users around the world submitting material properties to add to the database. The material mass properties have been tested with actual parts on a scale.

To allow SOLIDWORKS to use the materials in this database:

1.To use, place custom_matls_091516_sw2016.sldmat file into C:\ProgramData\SOLIDWORKS\SOLIDWORKS 201x\Custom Materials folder.

2.Start SOLIDWORKS and open any part file.

3.In the Feature Tree, right click on Materials and then select Edit Materials.  “Custom_matls_091516” folder will be on your material list.

4.Click on desired subfolder, such as Copper Alloys.

5.Click on desired material to view properties.

6.Click on Apply to apply that material to your part.

7.Click on Close to return to your part.

Download Custom_matls_091516_sw2016.zip

My unorganized #SOLIDWORKS User Group tour – #swugn

This year, I’ve been on a kind of unorganized SOLIDWORKS User Group tour.  I’ve presented at user groups in Tulsa, OK, Denver, CO and Seattle, WA.  The diversity of meeting locations never ceases to surprize me: hotel conference rooms, high school machine shops, college meeting rooms, libraries.  BTW, I’m not pictured in any of the photos below, as I was the one who took these photos of other speakers at these events.

In Tulsa and Denver, I presented on Drawing Views.  As simple as this topic may seem for many, even experienced users have told me they learn something new when I talk about Drawing Views.

In Seattle, I presented on SOLIDWORKS drawing functionality that has been added since SOLIDWORKS 2013.  Even though most of the capabilities I discussed were available since SOLIDWORKS 2014 and 2015, even seasoned users of SOLIDWORKS 2016 jumped up with excitement as they found out about “new” functionality.

Tulsa SOLIDWORKS User Group

Tusla, OK


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Northern Denver, CO


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Southern Denver, CO


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Seattle, WA

SOLIDWORKS World 2016 was full of product announces

This year at SOLIDWORKS World was full of product announcements, every day during the general sessions: SOLIDWORKS PCB, SOLIDWORKS Maker, term licencing option, online trail, Xdrive, Xdesign, and that’s just the first day!

Gian Paolo Bassi

A touch device friendly interface of SOLIDWORKS (any device, any time, any where) was also briefly demonstrated.

Touch device mobile ready SOLIDWORKS

As usual, the Research and Develop team were honored for the hard work that goes into creating all these new products.

R and D

There was a lot to take in.  Even some surprizes for those of us working hard to bring new products to life.

Classic drawing interpretation problem

There’s a classic problem with drawings:  interpretation.   Without enough information, there is always some sort of ambiguity.  Let’s take at a classic interpretation problem for example.

What is the shape of the part being described by this drawing (below)?  Note that Hidden Line Visible is turned on for both the Front and Top views.

Classic drawing interpretation problem

Because HLV is on, this cannot be a sheet metal bracket, since you’d be able to see the sheet metal wall as hidden lines in both views.

 

Not the solution

So, can you model this part?  Well, I’m not going to make you wait for the solution.  If you want to cheat to see the solution modelled in SOLIDWORKS, feel free to download it here: woodblockproblem (SW2015).