Help with reverse engineering

[randycasey]

I am a design engineer at a consumer packaging company. I am trying to design a package for a part I received from a customer, but because of its complexity, I am having trouble getting started. The customer sent me a SolidWorks file of the part, and my job is to design tooling to make a thermoformed package for the part. Does SolidWorks have an add-on to where I can place the part in a mold and create a cavity where the part was? If not, has anyone else ran into a similar problem and can help? Thanks.

[bclark6716]

Originally Posted by randycasey I am a design engineer at a consumer packaging company. I am trying to design a package for a part I received from a customer, but because of its complexity, I am having trouble getting started. The customer sent me a SolidWorks file of the part, and my job is to design tooling to make a thermoformed package for the part. Does SolidWorks have an add-on to where I can place the part in a mold and create a cavity where the part was? If not, has anyone else ran into a similar problem and can help? Thanks.

Randy,
First, offset your customers model to achieve the necessary clearances. Then, construct a solid block, then subtract. The result will be cavity which represents the thermoform tool needed.
Brian

[randycasey]

Brian,
By block, do you mean actually sketching and extruding a block or do you mean creating a block from sketch entities?

I tried extruding a block around the part, but for some reason I could not click on the combine command in order to subtract.

Thanks again,
Randy

[bclark6716]

Yes, extrude a rectangle into a solid block, then subtract. I forgot to mention, you need get a little creative to model over any undercuts.
I use UG NX and works every time.
hope this helps.
Brian

[yoshi900]

Originally Posted by randycasey Brian, By block, do you mean actually sketching and extruding a block or do you mean creating a block from sketch entities? I tried extruding a block around the part, but for some reason I could not click on the combine command in order to subtract. Thanks again, Randy

Make sure the "Merge result" is not check when you extrude the block. Then you'll have 2 separate solids use the combine command.

[keebler303]

Originally Posted by yoshi900 Make sure the "Merge result" is not check when you extrude the block. Then you'll have 2 separate solids use the combine command.

That's probably why he had the problem. There is also a solidworks forum on the zone where people could help.

Matt