SolidWorks: Mass and Measuring Evaluations

In this blog, we will be discovering the mass and measuring evaluations within SolidWorks. These tools are useful in determining the size and weight of a particular part or assembly. We will be looking at how to use these tools, as well as some applications in which they may become useful.

Measure

The measuring tool allows users to calculate the distance between selected items, points, faces, etc.. The measuring tool can be found on the evaluate tab shown below:

Figure 1: Measuring Tool

You can also find the measuring tool by going to Tools > Evaluate > Measure…:

Figure 2: Measuring Tool File Location

Once the measuring tool is open, the pop-up window should look like the image below:

Figure 3: Measuring Tool Window

The first icon in the measuring window pulls up a menu for Arc/Circle Measurements. The list below allows the user to select their desired measuring format between circles and arcs.

Figure 4: Measuring Tool Features

The second icon in the measuring window opens the Measure Units/Precision window. The measure units/precision window allows the user to set the preferences for the desired units (imperial or metric), scientific notation, decimal or fractions, number of decimal places or denominator, and dual dimensions.

Figure 5: Measuring Units/Precision

The third icon allows you to enable/disable the XYZ measurements within the part/assembly window.

Figure 6: XYZ Measurements

With this feature selected the measurements in each direction are visible similar to the blue and red lines below, indicating the X and Z measurements, in this case. If this feature was not selected, only the black line would be shown, indicating the overall distance measured.

Figure 7: Directional Measurements

The fourth icon, called point-to-point, allows the user to measure the distance between two click points. Without this feature selected, the measuring tool would measure the features of the face selected and output dimensions such as the area, perimeter, etc..

Figure 8: Point-to-Point Measurement

Mass Properties

The mass properties of a part or assembly can be found by going to the evaluate tab and clicking on the icon labeled Mass Properties.

Figure 9: Mass Properties

The mass properties of a part/assembly can also be found by going to Tools>Evaluate>Mass Properties as shown below.

Figure 10: Mass Properties File Location

Once the Mass Properties window pops up, a variety of information can be found. Within the mass properties window the density, mass, volume, surface area, the center of mass, and moment of inertia can be determined. Within the window, you also have the option to select which coordinate system these values are taken from.

Figure 11: Mass Properties Window

The evaluate features discussed in this blog are very useful tools. One example of how the measuring tool and mass properties can be used, is by aiding in determining the box size and the shipping cost of a component once the weight is known. They can also be used to help hit design requirements that are determined by specific dimensions or weight specifications.

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