Extruded cut in Solidworks - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

🧠 Conceptual

intermediate

Understanding the purpose of Extruded Cut

What is the main purpose of using the Extruded Cut feature in SolidWorks?

A To remove material from a 3D model by extruding a 2D sketch into the part

B To add material to a 3D model by extruding a 2D sketch outward

C To create a 2D sketch on a plane without affecting the 3D model

D To mirror an existing feature across a plane

💡 Hint

Think about how you can create holes or slots in a part.

The Extruded Cut feature removes material by pushing a 2D sketch shape through the part, creating holes or slots.

🎯 Scenario

intermediate

Choosing the correct direction for Extruded Cut

You want to cut a hole through a block using Extruded Cut. Which option correctly describes how to set the direction of the cut?

A Select any face and extrude the cut parallel to the sketch plane

B Select the sketch plane and set the cut direction normal to the plane, extruding through the entire block

C Extrude the cut only in the opposite direction of the sketch normal

D Extrude the cut along the edge of the block

💡 Hint

The cut direction is usually perpendicular to the sketch plane.

Extruded Cut direction is set normal (perpendicular) to the sketch plane to remove material through the part.

❓ visualization

advanced

Visualizing the result of an Extruded Cut

Given a cube with a circular sketch on the top face, what will the model look like after applying an Extruded Cut through the entire cube?

Solidworks

Cube: 100mm x 100mm x 100mm; Sketch: Circle diameter 40mm on top face center; Extruded Cut depth: Through All

A A cube with a shallow circular depression 40mm diameter on top face

B A cube with a circular boss 40mm diameter on top face

C A cube with a cylindrical hole 40mm diameter going from top to bottom

D A cube with no changes because the cut depth is zero

💡 Hint

Extruded Cut removes material through the entire depth.

The circular sketch is extruded as a cut through the whole cube, creating a hole.

🔧 Formula Fix

advanced

Troubleshooting an Extruded Cut that does not remove material

You created an Extruded Cut but no material is removed from the part. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

A The sketch is not fully closed, so the cut cannot be created

B The sketch is on a plane outside the part geometry

C The cut depth is set to zero or a negative value

D All of the above

💡 Hint

Consider all reasons why a cut might fail to remove material.

Any of these issues can cause the Extruded Cut to fail: open sketch, zero/negative depth, or sketch outside the part.

❓ data_modeling

expert

Modeling a complex part with multiple Extruded Cuts

You need to create a part with two intersecting Extruded Cuts: one vertical rectangular cut and one horizontal circular cut intersecting inside the part. What is the best approach to model this in SolidWorks?

A Create the first Extruded Cut, then create a new sketch on a plane intersecting the first cut and apply the second Extruded Cut

B Create both sketches on the same plane and extrude cuts in opposite directions

C Create one Extruded Cut and use the Mirror feature to create the second cut

D Create a single complex sketch combining both shapes and extrude cut once

💡 Hint

Think about how to create intersecting cuts in different directions.

Creating separate sketches on appropriate planes and applying cuts sequentially allows intersecting cuts in different directions.

Practice

1. What does the Extruded Cut feature do in SolidWorks?

easy

A. Removes material by pushing a 2D sketch through a 3D part

B. Adds material by extruding a 2D sketch

C. Creates a 3D sketch from a 2D profile

D. Measures the volume of a 3D part

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of Extruded Cut

   Extruded Cut removes material by pushing a closed 2D sketch through a 3D solid.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from other features

   Unlike Extrude Boss/Base which adds material, Extruded Cut removes it.

3. Final Answer:

   Removes material by pushing a 2D sketch through a 3D part -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Extruded Cut = Remove material [OK]

Hint: Extruded Cut always removes material, not adds [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Extruded Cut with Extrude Boss/Base
• Thinking it creates 3D sketches
• Assuming it measures volume

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to start an Extruded Cut in SolidWorks?

easy

A. Select a closed sketch, then click 'Features' > 'Extruded Cut'

B. Draw an open sketch and click 'Extruded Cut'

C. Select a 3D sketch and click 'Extruded Cut'

D. Click 'Insert' > 'Boss/Base' > 'Extruded Cut'

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the sketch type needed

   Extruded Cut requires a closed 2D sketch to define the cut area.

2. Step 2: Locate the correct menu option

   The correct path is selecting the closed sketch, then using 'Features' > 'Extruded Cut'.

3. Final Answer:

   Select a closed sketch, then click 'Features' > 'Extruded Cut' -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Closed sketch + Features > Extruded Cut = Correct [OK]

Hint: Always use a closed sketch before Extruded Cut [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using open sketches which cause errors
• Trying to cut from 3D sketches
• Confusing Extruded Cut with Boss/Base insertion

3. Given a cylinder with diameter 50mm and height 100mm, you create a circular sketch of diameter 20mm on the top face and apply an Extruded Cut with depth 30mm. What is the height of the remaining cylinder after the cut?

medium

A. 30mm

B. 100mm

C. 70mm

D. 50mm

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the original cylinder dimensions

   The cylinder is 100mm tall before the cut.

2. Step 2: Apply the Extruded Cut effect

   The 20mm diameter circular sketch on the top face extruded cut to 30mm depth removes a cylindrical hole 30mm deep from the top, but the overall external height of the part remains unchanged.

3. Step 3: Calculate remaining height

   Remaining height = 100mm (total height unaffected).

4. Final Answer:

   100mm -> Option B

5. Quick Check:

   Total height unchanged by internal cut [OK]

Hint: Extruded Cut removes internal material; overall dimensions unchanged [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Subtracting cut depth from total height
• Thinking blind cut trims the top of the part
• Confusing hole depth with height reduction

4. You tried to create an Extruded Cut but SolidWorks shows an error. Which of the following is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The sketch is on a 3D plane

B. The cut depth is zero

C. The sketch is not closed

D. The part is too large

Solution

1. Step 1: Check sketch closure requirement

   Extruded Cut requires a closed sketch; open sketches cause errors.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Cut depth zero usually disables the feature but may not error; 3D plane sketches are allowed if projected; part size does not cause errors.

3. Final Answer:

   The sketch is not closed -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Open sketch = Extruded Cut error [OK]

Hint: Always close your sketch before cutting [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring open sketch errors
• Assuming zero depth causes error
• Blaming part size incorrectly

5. You want to create a slot through a rectangular block 80mm long, 40mm wide, and 20mm high. You sketch a rectangle 10mm wide and 60mm long on the top face and apply an Extruded Cut through all. What will be the shape and size of the cut?

hard

A. A circular hole 10mm diameter through the block

B. A rectangular slot 10mm wide, 60mm long, and 10mm deep

C. A rectangular slot 20mm wide, 60mm long, and 40mm deep

D. A rectangular slot 10mm wide, 60mm long, and 20mm deep

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the sketch dimensions

   The sketch is a rectangle 10mm wide and 60mm long on the top face.

2. Step 2: Understand the cut depth

   Extruded Cut 'through all' removes material through the entire 20mm height.

3. Step 3: Determine the cut shape and size

   The cut will be a rectangular slot 10mm wide, 60mm long, and 20mm deep (full block height).

4. Final Answer:

   A rectangular slot 10mm wide, 60mm long, and 20mm deep -> Option D

5. Quick Check:

   Sketch size + through all depth = slot size [OK]

Hint: Through all cuts full thickness matching sketch shape [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing width and depth dimensions
• Assuming partial cut depth
• Mistaking slot for circular hole