Tag: material database

Return of Ctopher’s Custom Material Database

ctopher custom materials for SOLIDWORKSCustom materials in SOLIDWORKS are important if you are using materials not included in the default set.  Around a decade ago, Chris Saller compiled a bunch of such custom materials from varies sources based on requests and submissions from many different people.  This list is informally known as Ctopher’s Custom Material Database, “ctopher” being Chris’ handle.

Various versions of this file have been available on now long-gone websites over the years.  Well, the material database is finally back and bigger (better) than ever!  Chris has complied a new version in SOLIDWORKS 2016.  This new version has many new materials.  The new database is now available directly on SolidWorks Legion in the File Downloads tab as Ctopher’s Custom Material Database.

There are two methods to point SOLIDWORKS to use a custom material database.  The easiest method is described on Ctopher’s Custom Material Database download page.  Below is a slightly more advanced method which should also work on networks.

To point SOLIDWORKS to make the materials in this database available:

1.To use, place custom_matls_091516_sw2016.sldmat file into an easily accessible folder, such as S:\SOLIDWORKS Shared File\Custom Materials.  The folder is your choice, based on your network and operational set up.

2.Start SOLIDWORKS.

3.Goto Tools>Options…>System Options>File Locations.  In the Show folders for dropdown, select Material Databases.

4.Select Add button.  Navigate to your chosen folder, such as S:\SOLIDWORKS Shared File\Custom Materials.

5.Select OK button.

6.Repeat for all instances of SOLIDWORKS within the network that need to access this database.

To use the custom materials:

1.Open any part file.

2.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.

Ctopher’s Custom Material Database

Ctopher’s Material Database – Update

The new ctopher’s Material Database is here! The long anticipated new update of my material database.

The new database version 070508 has been updated with more materials.

Because of conflicts with some of the materials between SolidWorks 2008 and older versions, we created two versions. One version is for 2007 and older and the other is for 2008 and newer. Both are included in the same file.

Also added is a text file with instructions.

Thank you to Matt and others for your help and contributions.

Chris (ctopher)

Download page: ctopher’s Material Database

(*.SLDMAT)

How to use a Model’s Material directly on the Drawing

I should start out by saying that I personally advise against using the model’s Material value directly on a drawing (edit: for SolidWorks version 2008 and older; SW 2009 appears to have addressed some of the issues).  However, below is the instructions to do just this.

First, let me bring up three problems when it comes to materials and the SolidWorks Material Database naming convention.  One, the material names used in SolidWorks library are not correct.  In fact, in many cases they are not even the common names for those materials.  Two, for those of us who need accurate specification, the standards that define the materials are not mentioned of the library at all, making references to material incomplete.  Three, the names of the materials are not capitalized, so they are not formatted correctly to be used directly on a drawing in the first place.

A solution to these issues is to change your library to add this info and correct formatting or create a new library to do the same.   Another more common solution is to enter the information manually in a custom property within the model, then have that value pulled into the drawing via normal custom property linking, such as an annotation note with the following text: $PRPSHEET:”Material” or similar.  Make sure to identify which view you wish the data to be pulled from, within the Sheet Property window.

If you still wish to use the actual model’s material value (despite all of the above reasoning), there’s a couple extra steps (also involving the use of custom properties):

1.  In the model, create a custom property called something like Material at File>Properties>Custom tab.

2.   For the value of Material property, just click on the down arrow of the entry field and select Material.

3.  On the associated drawing, create similar custom property with the same name.  (Again, make sure to identify which view you wish the data to be pulled from, within the Sheet Property window.)

4.  For the value of the drawing’s Material custom property, type $PRP:”Material”

5.  Create an annotation note that links to the drawing’s Material custom property.  This will display the value of the model’s material directly on the drawing.

ctopher’s SolidWorks Material Database

*New database is now available.  Links in this post have been updated.  See new post here.*

The new ctopher’s Material Database (offsite link) is here! The long anticipated update of my material database.

The new database version 041008 has been updated with more materials.

Because of conflicts with some of the materials between SolidWorks 2008 and older versions, we created two versions. One version is for 2007 and older and the other is for 2008 and newer. Both are included in the same file.

Also added is a text file with instructions.

Thank you to Matt and others for your help and contributions.

Chris (ctopher)

Download page: ctopher’s Material Database (onsite link)

Material Database help

I am trying to update my material database for all of you to use.
I have not had much time to look up material info and some special materials I’m having trouble looking them up, so I’m asking for help.
If you have a material that you would like me to add, please email me the info as needed in IPS (inch, pound, second) units. (It’s easier for me to add all of them per one unit)

The format I need is per the following example:

1. Classification – Aluminum alloys
2. Material name – Alum 2011
3. Texture – machined\brushed\cast\etc
4. Other texture/color info that is special.
Physical properties example
EX “Elastic modulus” value=70326525952.00000
NUXY “Poisson’s ratio” value=0.330000
ALPX “Thermal expansion coefficient” value=0.000023
DENS “Mass density” value=2823.349854
KX “Thermal conductivity” value=142.100006
C “Specific heat” value=962.780029
SIGXT “Tensile strength” value=379211648.00000
SIGYLD “Yield strength” value=296474560.00000

Attached is an example screen shot of what the material properties look like within SolidWorks.

SolidWorks Material example

Thank you.

Update Alert!  The new materials database is ready.  Please see this article for details and download: ctopher’s SolidWorks Material Database.

Materials Database Library

Click here for the download page of the updated ctopher SolidWorks material database library.

Have you ever needed a material database that has more than the standard materials that comes with SolidWorks? Over the past eight years I have created solid models for military and commercial designs that required accurate 3D models to send to our customers for weight and FEA analysis.I have weighed the actual against the calculated weight from SolidWorks and the parts were very accurate, 98-100% accurate. Major aerospace companies were pleased.I created my own material database based on the materials used in these industries; it is available on my site for free download: Materials.[Updated 9/2016 ML]

Sometime in the near future, I plan on expanding the material database to include materials requested by other SolidWorks users and friends. [Update 9/2016 is now available at the link above. ML]