Revolved boss/base in Solidworks - Real Business Scenario

Scenario Mode

👤 Your Role: You are a product design analyst at a manufacturing company.

📋 Request: Your manager wants a report showing how the use of the Revolved Boss/Base feature in SolidWorks affects the production time and cost of parts.

📊 Data: You have data on parts designed with and without the Revolved Boss/Base feature, including design time (hours), production time (hours), and cost ($).

🎯 Deliverable: Create a dashboard that compares average design time, production time, and cost for parts using Revolved Boss/Base versus parts that do not.

Sample Data

Part ID	Uses Revolved Boss/Base	Design Time (hours)	Production Time (hours)	Cost ($)
101	Yes	3.5	5.0	120
102	No	4.0	6.5	150
103	Yes	3.0	4.5	110
104	No	4.5	7.0	160
105	Yes	3.8	5.2	130
106	No	4.2	6.8	155
107	Yes	3.6	5.1	125
108	No	4.3	7.2	165

1

Step 1: Load the data into your BI tool and create a new report.

Import the sample data table with columns: Part ID, Uses Revolved Boss/Base, Design Time, Production Time, Cost.

Expected Result

Data table loaded with 8 rows and 5 columns.

2

Step 2: Create a calculated measure to find the average Design Time grouped by 'Uses Revolved Boss/Base'.

Average Design Time = AVERAGE('Table'[Design Time (hours)]) grouped by 'Uses Revolved Boss/Base'

Expected Result

Average Design Time for 'Yes' = 3.475 hours, for 'No' = 4.25 hours.

3

Step 3: Create a calculated measure to find the average Production Time grouped by 'Uses Revolved Boss/Base'.

Average Production Time = AVERAGE('Table'[Production Time (hours)]) grouped by 'Uses Revolved Boss/Base'

Expected Result

Average Production Time for 'Yes' = 4.96 hours, for 'No' = 6.875 hours.

4

Step 4: Create a calculated measure to find the average Cost grouped by 'Uses Revolved Boss/Base'.

Average Cost = AVERAGE('Table'[Cost ($)]) grouped by 'Uses Revolved Boss/Base'

Expected Result

Average Cost for 'Yes' = $121.25, for 'No' = $157.5.

5

Step 5: Build a dashboard with three bar charts side by side: one for average Design Time, one for average Production Time, and one for average Cost. Each chart should compare 'Yes' and 'No' for 'Uses Revolved Boss/Base'.

Configure bar charts with X-axis = 'Uses Revolved Boss/Base' (Yes/No), Y-axis = respective average measure.

Expected Result

Dashboard shows clear visual comparison: parts using Revolved Boss/Base have lower design time, production time, and cost.

6

Step 6: Add clear titles and labels to each chart and ensure color contrast for accessibility.

Title each chart: 'Average Design Time by Revolved Boss/Base', 'Average Production Time by Revolved Boss/Base', 'Average Cost by Revolved Boss/Base'. Use distinct colors for Yes and No with sufficient contrast.

Expected Result

Dashboard is easy to read and accessible.

Final Result

-------------------------------------------------------------
|                 Revolved Boss/Base Analysis                 |
-------------------------------------------------------------
| Average Design Time (hours) | Average Production Time (hours)| Average Cost ($) |
|----------------------------|-------------------------------|-----------------|
| Yes: 3.48                  | Yes: 4.96                     | Yes: 121.25     |
| No: 4.25                   | No: 6.88                      | No: 157.50      |
-------------------------------------------------------------

✓Parts designed using the Revolved Boss/Base feature take about 0.77 hours less in design time on average.

✓Production time is reduced by nearly 1.92 hours on average for parts using Revolved Boss/Base.

✓Average cost is about $36.25 lower for parts designed with Revolved Boss/Base.

✓Using Revolved Boss/Base improves efficiency and reduces cost in part manufacturing.

Bonus Challenge

Add a time trend analysis showing how the use of Revolved Boss/Base affects design and production time over the last 12 months.

Show Hint

Include a date column in your data and create line charts grouped by month and 'Uses Revolved Boss/Base'. Use filters to compare trends.

Practice

1.

What is the main purpose of the Revolved Boss/Base feature in SolidWorks?

easy

A. To measure distances between parts

B. To cut holes in a 3D model

C. To add colors to a 3D model

D. To create 3D shapes by spinning a 2D sketch around an axis

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the Revolved Boss/Base function

   This feature creates 3D shapes by revolving a 2D sketch around a chosen axis.

2. Step 2: Compare options to the function

   Only To create 3D shapes by spinning a 2D sketch around an axis describes spinning a 2D sketch to form a 3D shape, matching the feature's purpose.

3. Final Answer:

   To create 3D shapes by spinning a 2D sketch around an axis -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Revolved Boss/Base = 3D shape by revolving sketch [OK]

Hint: Remember: revolve means spin a sketch around an axis [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing revolve with cut or color features
• Thinking it measures distances
• Assuming it creates flat sketches

2.

Which of the following is the correct syntax to start a Revolved Boss/Base feature in SolidWorks?

1. Select sketch
2. Choose Revolved Boss/Base
3. Select axis of revolution
4. Set angle

easy

A. Select sketch, choose Revolved Boss/Base, select axis, set angle

B. Select axis, choose Revolved Boss/Base, select sketch, set angle

C. Choose Revolved Boss/Base, select angle, select sketch, select axis

D. Set angle, select sketch, choose Revolved Boss/Base, select axis

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the correct order of operations

   You must first select the 2D sketch, then start the Revolved Boss/Base feature, then pick the axis, and finally set the angle.

2. Step 2: Match the steps to options

   Only Select sketch, choose Revolved Boss/Base, select axis, set angle follows this logical and correct sequence.

3. Final Answer:

   Select sketch, choose Revolved Boss/Base, select axis, set angle -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Correct order = sketch -> feature -> axis -> angle [OK]

Hint: Always pick sketch before axis in revolve setup [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Selecting axis before sketch
• Setting angle before choosing feature
• Skipping axis selection

3.

Given a semicircle sketch revolved 180 degrees around its diameter axis using Revolved Boss/Base, what 3D shape is created?

medium

A. A half sphere

B. A cylinder

C. A full sphere

D. A cone

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the sketch and revolution angle

   A semicircle revolved 180 degrees around its diameter axis will create half of a sphere shape.

2. Step 2: Match shape to revolution

   Revolving 180 degrees (half circle) of a semicircle forms a half sphere, not a full sphere or cylinder.

3. Final Answer:

   A half sphere -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Semicircle + 180° revolve = half sphere [OK]

Hint: Half circle revolved 180° makes half sphere [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming 180° revolve makes full sphere
• Confusing semicircle with rectangle
• Thinking it creates a cylinder

4.

Identify the error in this Revolved Boss/Base setup:
1. Sketch is a closed profile
2. Axis selected is a line outside the sketch plane
3. Revolution angle set to 360 degrees
What is the likely problem?

medium

A. Sketch must be open, not closed

B. Angle cannot be 360 degrees

C. Axis must lie in the sketch plane or intersect it

D. Axis line must be parallel to sketch plane

Solution

1. Step 1: Check axis position relative to sketch

   The axis must be in or intersect the sketch plane to revolve the profile correctly.

2. Step 2: Analyze given axis outside sketch plane

   An axis outside the sketch plane will cause errors or no valid revolution.

3. Final Answer:

   Axis must lie in the sketch plane or intersect it -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Axis position error = axis must intersect sketch plane [OK]

Hint: Axis must cross or be in sketch plane for revolve [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking sketch must be open
• Believing 360° angle is invalid
• Assuming axis must be parallel to sketch plane

5.

You want to create a vase shape by revolving a profile sketch around an axis. The profile is open on one side. What must you do to successfully use Revolved Boss/Base?

hard

A. Select multiple axes for revolution

B. Close the profile sketch before revolving

C. Set the revolution angle to less than 180 degrees

D. Use Revolved Cut instead of Boss/Base

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand profile requirements for revolve

   The profile must be a closed sketch to create a solid 3D shape with Revolved Boss/Base.

2. Step 2: Fix open profile issue

   Closing the profile ensures the revolve creates a solid vase shape without errors.

3. Final Answer:

   Close the profile sketch before revolving -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Closed profile needed for solid revolve [OK]

Hint: Always close your sketch profile before revolve [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to revolve open profiles
• Using Revolved Cut instead of Boss/Base incorrectly
• Thinking multiple axes can be selected