How to Revolve a Circle in SolidWorks?

Introduction to Revolving a Circle in SolidWorks

Revolving a circle in SolidWorks is a fundamental technique used to create 3D shapes from 2D sketches. This process involves creating a circular profile and an axis around which the profile will rotate to form a solid or surface feature. The following steps outline how to effectively accomplish this task.

Step 1: Start a New Part

Begin by opening SolidWorks and creating a new part file. This provides a clean workspace to create your sketch and revolve it.

Step 2: Create a Sketch

1. Navigate to the "Sketch" tab and select "Sketch" to begin a new sketch.
2. Choose an appropriate plane on which to sketch, usually the Front, Top, or Right plane.
3. Once in the sketch mode, select the "Circle" tool from the sketch toolbar.
4. Click on the origin point to define the center of your circle, then drag outward to specify the radius and click again to complete the circle.

Step 3: Define the Axis of Revolution

To revolve your circle effectively, you need to create or identify an axis of revolution:

1. Draw a centerline by selecting the "Centerline" tool from the sketch features.
2. Draw a vertical line through the center of the circle you just created. This line will serve as the axis around which the circle will revolve.

Step 4: Exit the Sketch

Once your circle and centerline are in place, exit the sketch by clicking on the "Exit Sketch" button in the toolbar.

Step 5: Access the Revolve Features

1. Navigate to the "Features" tab of the command manager.
2. Locate the "Revolved Boss/Base" tool, or you can find it through the menu path: Insert > Boss/Base > Revolve.

Step 6: Configure the Revolve Parameters

A dialog box appears once you select the revolve tool:

1. Ensure that your circle is highlighted as the section to revolve.
2. Make sure your centerline is selected or designated as the axis of revolution.
3. Specify the angle of revolution. For a full revolution, you would typically set this to 360 degrees.

Step 7: Create the Revolved Feature

After configuring your settings, click "OK" to create the revolved boss. SolidWorks will generate a 3D solid based on your circle revolving around the specified axis.

Additional Options

Depending on your design needs, you can also create a revolved cut if you want to remove material. The process is similar, but you’d select "Revolved Cut" from the features toolbar instead.

FAQ

1. What types of profiles can be revolved in SolidWorks?
   You can revolve any closed profile sketch, such as circles, polygons, or other shapes designed in the sketch mode, as long as they have an axis of revolution.

2. Can I revolve only part of a circle or shape?
   Yes, by adjusting the angle of revolution in the revolve feature settings, you can create partial revolutions.

3. Is it possible to create a hollow revolve feature?
   Yes, you can create a thin feature by setting the thickness options in the revolved boss/base feature properties, allowing you to create hollow shapes.