Modeling the Sliding Jaw and Components in SolidWorks: Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome back to the Multibody Dynamics using SolidWorks blog series! In this post, we’ll dive deep into modeling the sliding jaw and its associated components—key elements of the machine vice. This comprehensive guide will take you through every essential step, from creating sketches to final extrusions, and it will be an important foundation for our upcoming multibody dynamics simulation. Let's get started! 

Step 1: Creating the Moving Jaw 

1. Open a New Part: Start by going to File > New > Part. Ensure your unit system is set to millimeters. 
2. Sketch the Moving Jaw: Select the Front Plane and use the Corner Rectangle Tool to draw a rectangle. To properly center the sketch, select the midpoint of the lower edge of the rectangle and the origin, then apply the coincident constraint. 
3. Dimensioning the Sketch: Use the S key for dimensioning shortcuts. Set the vertical dimension to 115 mm and the horizontal dimension to 90 mm. This defines the size of the jaw. 
4. Fillet the Corners: Apply a 5 mm fillet to the two corners using the Fillet Tool. This will help smooth out the edges for assembly later. 
5. Extrude the Jaw: Convert the sketch into a 3D model using Extruded Boss/Base, setting the extrusion depth to 5 mm. This gives the jaw its initial shape in the assembly. 

Step 2: Sketching the Top Profile 

Now, let’s add more detail by sketching a new feature on the top of the moving jaw: 

1. New Sketch on Top Face: Select the top face of the extruded jaw and create a new sketch. To get a better view, use Control + 8 to align the view normally. 
2. Draw a New Rectangle: Use the Corner Rectangle Tool again to sketch a rectangle on the top face. For alignment, apply the collinear constraint between the vertical edges of the current and previous rectangles. 
3. Apply Fillets and Dimensions: Provide the vertical dimension as 30 mm and apply 5 mm fillets to the four corners to keep the geometry smooth. 
4. Extrude the New Sketch: Extrude this new rectangle by 5 mm, ensuring that Merge Result is unchecked so that the parts remain separate. This will help later when analyzing individual components in the multibody dynamics simulation. 

Step 3: Building the Slider 

Next, we’ll move on to modeling the slider: 

1. Start a New Sketch: Select the side face of the moving jaw and create a new sketch. Use the Line Tool to draw the outline of the slider. Connect four points to form the shape that will eventually serve as the sliding surface. 
2. Apply Constraints and Dimensions: Set the key dimensions: 10.5 mm from the origin to the top point, the horizontal line to 35 mm, and the vertical line to 27 mm. 
3. Offset the Geometry: Use the Offset Tool to create a 2 mm offset around the lines of the sketch. This will generate the required profile for the slider. 
4. Add Fillets: Apply 5 mm fillets to the corners of the sketch to round off the edges. 
5. Extrude the Slider: Exit the sketch and extrude the slider by 150 mm using Extruded Boss/Base. This provides the final shape of the slider. 

Step 4: Finalizing the Moving Jaw and Slider 

With the moving jaw and slider components modeled, we now have the foundation of the machine vice ready. These components are key to assembling the machine vice and running the multibody dynamics analysis. 

The sliding jaw and slider are crucial for smooth operation and will work together once we assemble the machine vice. Ensuring proper dimensions and relationships between components is vital for accurate simulation in the next stage. 

Conclusion 

You’ve now successfully modeled both the moving jaw and the slider using SolidWorks. These components form the foundation of the machine vice and are essential for running accurate multibody dynamics simulations. Understanding how to model these parts is key for any multibody dynamics course or SolidWorks simulation project. 

In the next post, we’ll model the screw that controls the movement of the jaw, completing the core assembly of the vice. 

For those looking to improve their skills in SolidWorks and multibody dynamics, consider enrolling in Skill-Lync’s Full Course. This program covers everything from SolidWorks basics to advanced multibody dynamics modeling SolidWorks techniques, offering practical insights and hands-on experience. 

Stay tuned for the next post where we’ll continue to build the machine vice assembly! 

This blog is part of our ongoing series on Multibody Dynamics. 

If you missed the previous posts, check them out here.   

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