How to define an angular hole using DimXpert?

Angular holes are quite often used, for example, to lock a position or to flow fluids. How do we dimension angular holes like this one on the right in the below image shown in a section view? Primary dimensions are its angle (or inclination), depth and horizontal locations. DimXpert provides handy tools just for these.

 

 

 

First, let’s define its inclination. Invoke DimXpert Location Dimension and pick these two highlighted holes, left one as the reference and right one as the target. Notice DimXpert pops up an in-context menu that provides multiple options including Angular Dimension as indicated in the tool tip. Place the 20 degree and it’s done: plain and simple. By the way, we can also define its supplementary angle if the mouse curse moves outside of the witness lines. Try it out.

 

 

 

Next up is the depth location. Again let’s take the existing counter bore hole as a reference. The same steps above provide another option: Linear Dimension which defines the distance between the centerlines of the reference hole and target oblique hole. Place the distance and we are done here. Easy!

 

 

 

Now what about its horizontal location? To drill the angular hole, where should I place my drill on the inclined platform referencing the mid-plane of this part?

 

We can create a Width Feature to get the mid-plane as shown in the two images below.

 

Now locate the drill position by creating an Intersection Point between the angular hole and its drill platform.

 

 Now notice the distance between the intersection point and mid-plane is attached to the cursor. Just place it and we are all set.

 

A nice visual is the highlighted width feature and the intersection point telling us what a dimension is defining.

Hope you find these tools helpful. To learn more about SOLIDWORKS MBD, please visit the product page.

Originally posted by Oboe Wu, in the SOLIDWORKS Tech Blog.

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