ZW3D CAD/CAM Tutorials: Wide Applicability of Flex Tools in ZW3D 2014

ZW3D, a powerful and integrated CAD/CAM platform from ZWSOFT, possesses great functionality in 3D modeling. The newly released edition, ZW3D 2014, is accompanied by lots of practical and handy improvements, and new features, like built-in translator, multiple insert component features,new Flex Tools and enhanced 2D drafting. In this article, the application of Flex Tools in industries like hardware, sheet metal, artwork and toys, will be introduced. Let's see how this function can be applied to your daily design.

Section 1

Introduce the 'Cylindrical Bend' feature by modeling the doorknob in the hardware industry.

Step1: Create a cylinder

Figure 1: Creat a cylinder

Step 2: Bend the cylinder using the new “Cylindrical Bend” feature, then you can make modifications on details by changing its parameters, including radius, angle, and rotate angle, significantly simplifying the bending process.

  Figure 2: Using the “Cylindrical Bend” feature to bend the cylinder

Figure 2: Bend the cylinder using 'Cylindical Bend' feature

Section 2

Introduce the 'Toroidal Bend' by modeling tire

Step 1: Firstly, build a block; then, draw a sketch on one face of the block. Extrude it with 'ADD' boolean operation, then copy this part to finish the extended surface.

Figure 3: The process of drawing the basal body of tire

Figure 3: the processes of modeling the basal body

Step 2: Bend this part using the ' Toroidal  Bend ' feature. You can change its result by modify its parameters, including tube radius, outer radius, and rotate angle, greatly simplifying the bending process.

Figure 4: Using the 'Toroidal  Bend ' feature to bend the basal body

Section 3

 Introduce 'Twist' feature by modeling helical gear.

Step 1: Draw a straight gear.

Figure 5: Drawing a straight gear

Figure 5: The straight gear

Step 2: Change it into a helical gear, adjust its twist angle in the twist manager.

Figure 6: Twist the straight gear using 'Twist' feature

As shown above, in just a few steps, we can model a helical gear easily.

Figure 6: Using the “Twist”  feature to twist the  straight gear

Section 4

Introduce 'Taper' feature by modeling slope reamer

Step 1: Model the outline of the slope reamer by using the 'Extrude' feature.

Figure 7: The outline of the slope reamer

Step 2: Draw its slope using 'Taper' feature.

Figure 7: draw the outline of the slope reamer

Figure 8: Setting the taper using 'Taper' feature

Step 3: Draw its hand shank, then we can finish the slope reamer with only 3 steps.

Figure 9: The final shape of the slope reamer

Section 5

Now let's learn about the 'Stretch' feature.

Figure 9: The final shape

The shape can stretch in X, Y or Z directions as is shown in the picture. If we select the shape and datum, and set the required parameters, it is very easy for us to stretch.

Figure 10: Stretch the star using 'Stretch' feature

Figure 10: stretch the star using the "Stretch" feature 

It’s easy to these how useful the intelligent Flex Tools in ZW3D 2014 can be in industrial design from the above cases. To learn more about Flex Tools, please click here to watch a short video on Youtube.

ZW3D 2014 can meet the designer's industrial design requirements, speed up the product design process and quickly realize designers’ ideas easily and effectively. Click here to get a free trial.

About ZW3D

ZW3D is all-in-one, affordable CAD/CAM solution that enables concept-to-finished-product designs in an integrated, collaborative environment. The proprietary Overdrive™ kernel delivers 3D part and assembly modeling, 2D production drawings, reverse engineering, motion simulation, mold design, and integrated CNC machining. It simplifies the design process from concept to completion.

Key words:

ZW3D CAD/CAM all-in-one solution, history manager, data encapsulation, history encapsulation, history regeneration, view layout, state feature, sheet metal layout