LearnSolidWorks.com - SolidWorks Tips, Tricks & Tutorials

With the Sweep feature you can create a shape by moving a 2D sketch Profile along a 2D or 3D sketch Path.  I’ll show you how the Sweep feature works.

Open a new part with model units set to millimeters

Go to: File > New > Part

Create a 2D sketch

Select the Top Plane in the feature tree (menu at the left side) and create a sketch by clicking on the 2D Sketch icon 

The display changes so the Top plane faces you.

Create a Spline

Go to Tools > Sketch Entities > Spline or click at the spline icon 

Create a spline starting at the Origin as shown in the picture. 

Click at the Sketch button in the upper right corner close the 2D Sketch 

Create a New Plane

Make a Plane perpendicular to the endpoint of the spline

Go to Insert > Reference Geometry > Plane or click at the Plane icon 

Select the Endpoint of the Spline as First Reference

Select the Spline itself as Second Reference

Click OK 

Create a 2D sketch on Plane1

Select the new Plane1 in the feature tree and create a sketch by clicking on the 2D Sketch icon. 

Create a Circle

Go to Tools > Sketch Entities > Circle or click at the circle icon 

Start the midpoint of the circle at the endpoint of the spline

Click at the Sketch button in the upper right corner close the 2D Sketch  

Create a Swept Boss/Base

Go to: Insert > Boss/Base > Sweep or click at the Sweep icon 

Profile : Select the blue Sketch2

Path : Select the pink Sketch1

It’s possible to keep the Profile sketch Normal to the start direction if you wish

To enable this click at the Options menu and change the Orientation/twist type into Keep normal constant

There are many other options in the Sweep menubar such as the Follow Path and 1^st Guide Curve / Follow 1^st and 2^nd Guide Curves / Twist Along Path and Twist Along Path with Normal Constant. 

The best way to discover these options is to try and notice what happens with the sweep.

You can also make a hollow sweep with the Thin Feature

Just select the Thin Feature option in the Sweep menubar and change the Thickness of the wall

Click OK 

I hope you’ve learned something about the Sweep Feature. Do you like my tips? Feel free to share them with your friends!