In SolidWorks, adding relations is an essential step in creating and modifying designs. Relations allow you to define the spatial relationship between different sketch entities, ensuring that they move and behave as intended. In this tutorial, we will explore how to add relations in SolidWorks.
Step 1: Open the Sketch
To add relations in SolidWorks, you need to be working within a sketch. Open the sketch that contains the entities you want to relate by double-clicking on it in the feature tree or selecting it from the graphics area.
Step 2: Select Entities
Once you have your sketch open, select the entities that you want to relate. You can do this by clicking on them one by one while holding down the Ctrl key or by using a selection box to choose multiple entities at once.
Step 3: Access the Add Relations Tool
After selecting your entities, locate the “Add Relations” tool in the Sketch toolbar at the top of your screen. It is represented by an icon with two overlapping squares and a plus sign.
Step 4: Add Relations
Click on the “Add Relations” tool to open a dialog box where you can specify which type of relation you want to add. Here are some common types of relations:
- Horizontal/Vertical: Forces selected lines or edges to be strictly horizontal or vertical.
- Tangent: Makes an arc tangent to a line or another arc.
- Coincident: Aligns two points together so they share the same position.
- Parallel/Perpendicular: Establishes parallel or perpendicular relationships between selected lines or edges.
- Equal: Makes the lengths of selected lines or edges equal.
Select the appropriate relation from the list and click “OK” to apply it to the selected entities.
Step 5: Modify Relations
If you need to modify or delete existing relations, you can do so by accessing the “Modify Relations” tool, located next to the “Add Relations” tool in the Sketch toolbar. This tool allows you to select existing relations and change their properties or remove them entirely.
Step 6: Verify Relations
After adding or modifying relations, it’s crucial to verify that they are working as intended. You can do this by dragging sketch entities around or modifying their dimensions. If the relations are correctly defined, the entities should move and behave according to the specified relationships.
In conclusion, adding relations in SolidWorks is a fundamental skill for creating accurate and well-defined sketches. By utilizing different types of relations, you can control the behavior of your sketch entities and ensure that your designs meet your desired specifications.