Master Part Design in CATIA V5: A Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome to the second session of the CATIA Design Series! In the previous lesson, we explored the basics of sketching, and now it’s time to take it up a notch by diving into part design—one of the most exciting and powerful features in CATIA. In this session, we will guide you through the Part Design Workbench, where you will build solid 3D models by adding depth to your sketches.  

Ready to turn your 2D sketches into 3D models? Let’s get started!

Step 1: Setting up the Part Design Workbench 

Before we jump into creating a solid model, let’s ensure your CATIA workspace is set up for Part Design. 

1. From the menu bar, click Start, then navigate to Mechanical Design and select Part Design. 
2. Name the part "Tutorial" and make sure the Enable Hybrid Design option is unchecked while the Create a Geometrical Set box is checked. 
3. Save the file in your preferred location. Remember, the file extension for a solid model in CATIA is CatPart. 

Once set, let's take a moment to organize your toolbars. If you don’t see the required toolbars: 

1. Right-click on the vertical bar on the side and select the toolbars you need. 

2. If you want to reset the toolbar layout to default, click Customize and use the Restore All Contents and Positions option. 

Your Task: Explore the Start Menu Tab in the Customize window to create shortcuts for frequently used workbenches or commands. For instance, you can create a shortcut for the Hide/Show command and assign it to your Spacebar for quick access. 

Step 2: Creating a base model with pad command 

1. Let’s begin by creating the base of the model.  
2. Select Position Sketch from the Sketcher Toolbar and choose the XY Plane as the reference. 
3. Use the Centered Rectangle command from the Profile Toolbar to draw a rectangle, ensuring the origin is at the center of the rectangle.  
4. Apply the dimensions using the Constraint Command as per your design requirements. 

Now, let’s convert this 2D sketch into a 3D solid model: 

1. Click on the Exit Sketcher icon. 
2. Select the Pad Command from the Sketch-Based Features Toolbar. This command allows you to give thickness (depth) to your sketch. 
3. Set the Length of the pad to 10mm and click OK. 

Challenge: Experiment with the Reverse Direction option and see how it changes the thickness direction of your model.  

Step 3: Creating a slot with pocket command 

1. Next, we’ll add a slot at the bottom of the slab using the Pocket Command. 
2. Select the bottom surface of the slab as the reference plane for your new sketch. 
3. Use the Centered Rectangle command again to draw the slot and apply the necessary constraints. 
4. Exit the Sketcher and select the Pocket Command. 

In the Pocket Definition Window, set the First Limit to Up to Surface and select the opposite surface as the boundary for the pocket. 

Interactive Task: Try using the Preview button to visualize your design before confirming the pocket.