SolidWorks is worth learning as it is an essential tool used in design and engineering. It is used to build mechatronic systems from start to finish. SolidWorks is an application used by mechanical or electrical engineers, and If you work in one of these fields, you need a sound understanding of this tool. The best way to achieve this is by working on hands-on projects.
It is mainly used to design and develop electrical, mechanical, and software elements. This tool also comes in handy in management, analytics, cloud services, and data automation. In this article, we’ll show you the SolidWorks projects with the best project outcomes you can get.
5 Skills That SolidWorks Projects Can Help You Practice
SolidWorks is a technical tool, and you will require a lot of technical skills to thrive as an engineer. Working on SolidWorks projects can help you develop the skills required and the practical experience needed to utilize this tool. Some skills you can practice with SolidWorks projects include assembly modeling, spline, file management, loft, and surface modeling skills.
- Assembly modeling. This is a method where product visualization software and computer-aided design systems handle different files representing the components of a product. These components are often portrayed as surface or solid models.
- Spline skills. The spline command is used to create smooth curves that pass through predefined points. This command creates an uneven curve that passes through specific points and is created by defining control vertices or fit points.
- File management. File management skills are also important in the engineering process. SolidWorks requires proper file management to reduce time and increase efficiency. Working on such a project will help you to perfect your file management skills.
- Loft. This involves allowing software to interpolate shapes between two profiles or more. Loft works with surfaces and solids and also offers other unique functions to help you finish your task quicker.
- Surface modeling. Surface modeling lets you create 3D geometries easily by simplifying the process of using extruded bosses, sweeps, revolves, and lofts. With a click of your mouse, you’ll be able to build detailed projects, easily trim unwanted pieces, and change the type of material you’re working with on your current project.
Best SolidWorks Project Ideas for Beginners
If you are a beginner, you can still work on SolidWorks projects. With time, you can advance to more complicated projects, and you will have enough hands-on experience to secure a job even without experience. Some of the best SolidWorks project ideas for beginners include electrical wire harnessing, part design, SCADA, sheet metal, and IC fuel injector CAD modeling.
Electrical Wire Harnessing with SolidWorks
- SolidWorks Skills Practiced: Surface modeling
Electrical harnessing is essential for products that work with electricity. You can use SolidWorks to create an electrical wire harness. The tool allows you to gain some design expertise and implement the harness in your model. You will be able to develop the surface modeling skills needed for not just SolidWorks but other CAD roles.
Part Design Using SolidWorks
- SolidWorks Skills Practiced: Surface modeling
You can design an automobile part with SolidWorks, and engineers use this tool for such purposes. You will need to create parts, sketches, keys, and shafts. You’ll also need to understand additional details and concepts, such as wrenches, differentials, and suspension design to create a good project.
SCADA for Engineers
- SolidWorks Skills Practiced: Surface modeling
This project can be used in chemical and power generation plants. The tool is meant to increase efficiency in the way industries operate. It should also be able to work with the IoT. You can learn SCADA and learn to control physical processes, such as transportation of oil and gas in pipelines, the transmission of electricity in traffic lights, and water distribution.
Sheet Metal and Surface Modeling
- SolidWorks Skills Practiced: Surface modeling
Most automobiles are designed with surface modeling and sheet metal that can be used to build a luxury car, for example. If this project is too complex, you can opt for a mobile phone case cover, and if you want something more challenging, then you can design an airplane.
IC Engine Fuel Injector CAD Modeling and Fabrication
- SolidWorks Skills Practiced: Surface modeling
Fuel injectors are used to feed the combustion chamber during timed combustion and promote atomization of the fuel for proper combustion as well. Hence, you can build a fuel injector for this project. You may need to consider the timing of the injection to note the parameters that help the injector to time the process.
Best Intermediate SolidWorks Project Ideas
After working on some beginner projects, you can take it a step further and create some intermediate SolidWorks projects. Some of them include dual side shaper machines, analysis of vertical pumps, design verification of a car bonnet, and analysis of perforated fin arrays.
Design of a Dual Side Shaper Machine With SolidWorks
- SolidWorks Skills Practiced: Surface modeling
The first project involves building a dual side shaper machine that uses a scotch burden system. This machine is used in metal evacuation procedures, and industries try to create as many as possible in a short time frame to decrease costs. You can develop this project using SolidWorks to work out the design.
Analysis of a Vertical Pump
- SolidWorks Skills Practiced: Surface modeling
Vertical turbine pumps are mounted vertically and belong in the category of centrifugal pumps. You can calculate the natural frequency of vertical turbine pumps by doing a modal analysis with the finite element method (FEM). The project would involve designing a model of the pump in SolidWorks and preprocessing it to create a finite element model of the pump.
Analysis of a Perforated Fin Array
- SolidWorks Skills Practiced: Surface modeling
The project involves designing and analyzing the rectangular fin array with and without perforation. Usually, fins increase heat transfer rates between surfaces and surrounding fluid in various heat exchange appliances. It will analyze different percentages of perforation as well. SolidWorks will be used to design the CAD model that is needed for the simulation.
Design Verification of a Car Bonnet
- SolidWorks Skills Practiced: Surface modeling
A car bonnet’s assembly is essential because it plays many roles. It makes the car appear aesthetically pleasing and also offers some safety during impact. The hood of the car is expected to absorb kinetic energy during a crash and reduce the impact on the driver and passengers. This project will analyze the car bonnet system to determine if it is safe.
Automatic Coconut Scraping Machine
- SolidWorks Skills Practiced: Surface modeling
This project involves developing an automatic machine for scraping coconut. You need to draft the parts with modeling tools and check for compatibility and strength. You also need to check every part of the device to ensure that it can handle the stress and is strong enough to withstand the force it experiences.
Advanced SolidWorks Project Ideas
If you have mastered SolidWorks as a tool for engineering and design, you can begin to work on advanced projects. Here are some advanced SolidWorks project ideas to consider while building your portfolio.
Design and Analysis of the Fuel System for the Velocity XL Aircraft
- SolidWorks Skills Practiced: Surface modeling
This aircraft has outstanding features, such as long-range abilities and aerodynamic structure for excellent maneuverability and stealth. This is why it can move at 190mph across 1,100 miles while carrying baggage and adults comfortably.
The project will involve building a fuel system for the aircraft based on regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the British Civil Airworthiness Requirements (BCAR). The project should also include some analysis of the model. The fuel design system includes a fuel tank, drain valve, fire sleeves, mechanical fuel pumps, check valves, and a fuel selector valve.
Color Sorter Machine
- SolidWorks Skills Practiced: Surface modeling
A color sorting machine allows you to classify things based on their colors. The project will use a color sensor to read the data on each color to be able to sense the objects that match. When the detection process has been fixed, the device will sort the items and put them into the proper boxes with guide rails. This could be a handy household project for things like sorting laundry.
Electricity Generator Floor Tiles
- SolidWorks Skills Practiced: Surface modeling
This project involves generating electricity from floor tiles, and users should be able to create an electrical current when they walk on the tiles. Make sure to use a piezoelectric material as it can produce a charge when force is applied to it. The material develops an alternating current (AC) which is later converted to direct current (DC) by a rectifier that stores the electricity produced.
Pneumatic Power Steering System
- SolidWorks Skills Practiced: Surface modeling
This project involves creating a pneumatic power steering system. The wheels are linked to the front wheels of a car by an executive segment. The pneumatic machinery, on the other hand, consists of equipment that uses air power. This air is controlled by valves and sent through the cylinders. This project can transfer a lot of power using flexible channels and small tubes.
Drones for Passenger Transport
- SolidWorks Skills Practiced: Surface modeling
This is a drone project, and you will develop a drone for passenger transport that uses a multirotor configuration so it can hold the weight of multiple people. This configuration of this project is ideal because the drone can run in densely populated regions and is the most cost-effective.
Next Steps: Start Organizing Your SolidWorks Portfolio
Portfolios are especially important for an electrical or mechanical engineer that uses computer-aided design tools like SolidWorks. A portfolio needs to have a good structure and list your achievements, skills, and intellect to help you stand out to prospective clients. Below are some tips to keep in mind while organizing your portfolio.
Make It Simple
It is better to simplify your portfolio to make it easier for recruiters to read through it. They may not have all day to figure out where to find an item in your portfolio, and this is why you need to ensure that it is well arranged and properly categorized. Create sections to make it easier to navigate. Look for portfolio projects from industry experts to inform your decision as well.
Make It Visually Appealing
Despite being simple, your portfolio needs to be visually appealing. SolidWorks deals with design as well, so you need to also use the portfolio as an opportunity to showcase your personal projects and design skills. Be sure to find out what colors are trendy in the industry and incorporate them.
Place the Best First
While creating sections for your projects in your portfolio, be sure to highlight the best ones first. This may be subjective depending on the company you want to apply to, so do some research to determine the best project for each company or industry and place it first. Chances are that the recruiter will only have time to check one, and they should check your best work.
SolidWorks Projects FAQ
AutoCAD is ideal for 2D and 3D drafting, but SolidWorks is better suited to developing sophisticated simulations and 3D models. However, AutoCAD stands out if you want general drafting software to use in different industries.
There is a lot you can build with SolidWorks. Some projects include 2D and 3D models and mechatronics systems. These are often used in the planning stage, visual ideation, feasibility assessment, modeling, project management, and prototyping stages.
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There are some similarities between SolidWorks and AutoCAD. However, the main difference is that one focuses on 2D drafting while the other is better for building 3D models. SolidWorks can handle more tasks than AutoCAD.
SolidWorks can replace AutoCAD because it offers several capabilities and tools that can make the process of transitioning easier than ever. It is also faster and has more features than AutoCAD. There are several add-ons for SolidWorks, including SolidWorks Electrical, SolidWorks Manage, SolidWorks Workgroup, SolidWorks PDM, and SolidWorks Professional.
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