How to Use Shut Off Surface in SolidWorks: Step-by-Step Guide

In SolidWorks, a Shut Off Surface is a surface used to limit or trim features like sweeps or lofts. To use it, create a surface that intersects your feature, then select it in the feature's Shut Off Surface option to control where the feature stops.

Syntax

The Shut Off Surface is not a coding syntax but a feature option in SolidWorks used during feature creation like Sweep or Loft. It requires a surface body that intersects the feature path or profile.

• Shut Off Surface: A surface that trims or stops the feature.
• Feature: The main geometry like sweep or loft.
• Selection: The surface selected as the shut off boundary.

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Sweep Feature with Shut Off Surface:
1. Create sweep path and profile.
2. Create a surface intersecting the sweep path.
3. In Sweep PropertyManager, under Options, select the surface as Shut Off Surface.
4. Complete the sweep; it stops at the surface boundary.

Example

This example shows how to create a sweep feature that stops at a shut off surface.

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1. Sketch a circle on the front plane as the sweep profile.
2. Sketch a curved line as the sweep path.
3. Create a planar surface that intersects the sweep path where you want the sweep to stop.
4. Start the Sweep feature, select the profile and path.
5. In the Sweep options, check 'Shut Off Surface' and select the created surface.
6. Finish the sweep; it will stop at the surface boundary.

Output

The sweep feature is trimmed and ends exactly where the shut off surface intersects the sweep path.

Common Pitfalls

• Not creating a surface that fully intersects the feature path or profile, causing the shut off to fail.
• Using solid bodies instead of surfaces for shut off; only surfaces work.
• Forgetting to select the shut off surface in the feature options.
• Shut off surface not planar or properly positioned, leading to unexpected trimming.

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Wrong way:
- Using a solid body as shut off surface.
- Not selecting shut off surface in feature options.

Right way:
- Create a surface body intersecting the feature.
- Select it in the shut off surface option during feature creation.

Quick Reference

Term	Description
Shut Off Surface	Surface used to trim or stop a feature like sweep or loft.
Sweep Path	Curve along which the profile is swept.
Sweep Profile	Cross-section shape swept along the path.
Surface Body	A non-solid surface used for trimming features.
Feature Options	Settings in feature creation where shut off surface is selected.

Key Takeaways

A shut off surface must be a surface body intersecting the feature path or profile.

Select the shut off surface in the feature's options to control where the feature ends.

Using solid bodies or missing the selection causes shut off to not work.

Proper positioning of the shut off surface ensures accurate trimming of features.

Shut off surfaces are commonly used with sweep and loft features to limit geometry.