How Do You Thicken a Surface in SolidWorks?

by

In SolidWorks, there are several ways to thicken a surface. Whether you want to add thickness to a flat surface or create a more complex 3D shape, SolidWorks provides versatile tools to achieve your desired result.

Thickening a Flat Surface

If you have a flat surface that you want to give thickness to, SolidWorks offers a simple and straightforward method. Follow these steps:

  1. Select the flat surface by clicking on it.
  2. Go to the “Features” tab in the command manager and click on the “Thicken” option.
  3. Specify the desired thickness value in the dialog box that appears.
  4. Choose whether you want the thickness to extend in both directions or only on one side of the surface.
  5. Click “OK” to apply the thickening operation.

This process allows you to quickly add thickness to any flat surface in your SolidWorks model. However, if you need more control over the shape of your thickened surface, continue reading for additional techniques.

Creating Complex Thickened Surfaces

SolidWorks also provides tools for creating more complex thickened surfaces. These tools allow you to add thickness along specific curves or boundaries, resulting in intricate and customized shapes. Here are two methods you can use:

Boss/Base Extrude

The Boss/Base Extrude feature allows you to extrude a sketch profile while specifying different thickness values for different regions. Follow these steps:

  1. Create a sketch that outlines the shape you want your thickened surface to have.
  2. Go to the “Features” tab and click on “Boss/Base” followed by “Extrude”.
  3. Select the sketch profile in the graphics area.
  4. In the “PropertyManager” window, specify the desired thickness for each region by selecting different sketch entities or regions and entering their respective thickness values.
  5. Click “OK” to create the thickened surface.

With the Boss/Base Extrude feature, you have precise control over the thickness of each region, allowing you to create complex shapes with varying wall thicknesses.

Thicken Cut

If you already have a solid model and want to add thickness to specific regions while maintaining its overall shape, the Thicken Cut feature is a powerful option. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Create a sketch that defines the regions where you want to add thickness.
  2. Go to the “Features” tab and click on “Thicken Cut”.
  3. Select the desired sketch regions in the graphics area.
  4. In the “PropertyManager” window, specify the desired thickness for each selected region.
  5. Click “OK” to apply the thicken cut operation.

The Thicken Cut feature enables you to selectively add thickness to specific areas of your model, giving you precise control over its geometry while preserving its overall structure.

Conclusion

SolidWorks offers a range of tools for thickening surfaces, whether you need to add simple uniform thickness or create complex shapes with varying wall thicknesses. By utilizing features like Thicken, Boss/Base Extrude, and Thicken Cut, you can achieve your desired results efficiently and effectively. Experiment with these tools and explore their capabilities to bring your design ideas to life!