Tutorial: How to model a propeller in solidworks and show design intent.

ad95efaa

24 May, 2013 06:01 PM

Here is the tutorial

1. Step 1:

   Download the attached files for your reference

2. Step 2:

   Create a sketch on the XY plane. Select the “Line tool”, click and drag a line.
   In our case we have created a 15 inches line which will serve as a guide for the “Swept Boss tool”.
   Now you should have created successfully the first sketch.
   

   

3. Step 3:

   Create a sketch on the YZ plane, select the Spline tool try to redraw the sketch shown. (If you can’t, copy it from the 3d SLDPRT)
   Select the tangents points in order to create a similar shape. If everything went ok you should have a second sketch.
   In our case we have created a dual curve wing shape similar to the ones on real airplanes.

   

4. Step 4:

   Select the first and second sketch and click on the Swept Boos Base Tool.
   

   

5. Step 5:

   Select Twist along path in the Options menu and enter the desired degrees. (I used 60 degrees)
   

   

6. Step 6:

   It is important to rotate the helix of the propeller, in order to do that, please go to insert>Surface>Move& Rotate and rotate the helix 26 degrees
   

   

7. Step 7:

   In order to create the center or our propeller we are going to create another sketch on the XZ plane
   Select the Spline tool and click and drag to draw a line. Select the tangents points in order to create a similar curve to our image.
   Select the Line tool and click and drag anywhere to draw the rest of the lines

   

8. Step 8:

   Create an auxiliary axis as shown; this will serve as a rotation guide.
   Select the created sketch and click on the Revolved Boss Base Tool.
   Now you should have created the principal components of our propeller.

   

9. Step 9:

   Select the first created helix, and click on the Circular Pattern Tool, then select the axis 1 created in the above step. Enter the number of instances to be copied through the axis
   

   

10. Step 10:

    To get a real and ideal appearance combined with an aerodynamic surface, we have to use the Fillet Tool; select the base of the propeller and the desired lines to be fillet, in our case the radius of the fillet is 1 inch.
    

    

11. Step 11:

    WOW, you should be proud of yourself