SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Part II: Building Intelligence into Your Parts

FIGURE 9.3

Using the FeatureManager Filter to filter dimension names

Building the equation ....................................................................................

When creating an equation in SolidWorks, it is often a good idea to write it out on paper first.

Examine the part shown in Figure 9.4, where the relevant dimensions have been named and

displayed. The number of holes — called Instances here — is the driving variable. From that

number, the spacing of the holes is calculated over the length of the part. There is also a gap on

each end of the pattern of holes. This gap (measured between the center of the last hole and the

end of the part) always needs to be half of the spacing between the holes. The sigma symbols to

the left of the dimensions indicate that an equation is driving it. Dimensions driven by equations

cannot be directly edited.

FIGURE 9.4

Variables for the hole pattern