Hole wizard for standard holes in Solidworks - Real Business Scenario

Scenario Mode

👤 Your Role: You are a mechanical design engineer working on a new product assembly.

📋 Request: Your manager wants you to create a detailed report showing the types and sizes of standard holes used in the assembly for manufacturing planning.

📊 Data: You have access to the SolidWorks assembly file with multiple parts containing various standard holes created using the Hole Wizard tool.

🎯 Deliverable: Produce a report listing each standard hole type, its size, location in the assembly, and quantity, along with a summary visualization of hole distribution.

Sample Data

Part Name	Hole Type	Hole Size (mm)	Location	Quantity
Base Plate	Counterbore	10	Corner	4
Base Plate	Counterbore	8	Center	2
Bracket	Counterbore	10	Edge	3
Bracket	Tapped Hole	M6	Center	5
Cover	Counterbore	8	Corner	6
Cover	Clearance Hole	6	Center	4
Support	Tapped Hole	M8	Edge	2
Support	Clearance Hole	10	Center	1

1

Step 1: Open the SolidWorks assembly file and identify all parts containing holes created with the Hole Wizard.

Use the FeatureManager design tree to locate Hole Wizard features in each part.

Expected Result

List of parts with Hole Wizard holes identified.

2

Step 2: Extract hole details from each part: hole type, size, location, and quantity.

Use SolidWorks API or manual inspection to record hole parameters into a table.

Expected Result

A table listing Part Name, Hole Type, Hole Size, Location, and Quantity as shown in sample_data.

3

Step 3: Import the hole data table into a BI tool (e.g., Power BI or Excel) for analysis.

Load the table as a data source for visualization.

Expected Result

Data loaded and ready for creating visuals.

4

Step 4: Create a bar chart showing total quantity of holes by Hole Type.

Set Axis = Hole Type, Values = SUM of Quantity.

Expected Result

Bar chart displaying quantities: Counterbore, Tapped Hole, Clearance Hole.

5

Step 5: Create a table visual showing detailed hole information grouped by Part Name and Hole Type.

Rows = Part Name, Hole Type; Columns = Hole Size, Location, Quantity.

Expected Result

Table showing hole details per part and type.

6

Step 6: Add a summary card showing total number of holes in the assembly.

Calculate SUM of Quantity across all rows.

Expected Result

Summary card showing total holes = 27.

7

Step 7: Arrange visuals on a dashboard with clear titles and labels for easy interpretation.

Use descriptive titles and legends; ensure color contrast for accessibility.

Expected Result

Dashboard ready for presentation to manufacturing team.

Final Result

-----------------------------------------
|          Hole Wizard Report            |
|---------------------------------------|
| Total Holes: 27                       |
|                                       |
| Hole Type Quantity                    |
| Counterbore 15                       |
| Tapped Hole 7                       |
| Clearance Hole 5                    |
|                                       |
| Part Name | Hole Type | Size | Qty   |
|---------------------------------------|
| Base Plate| Counterbore| 10   | 4     |
| Base Plate| Counterbore| 8    | 2     |
| Bracket   | Counterbore| 10   | 3     |
| Bracket   | Tapped Hole| M6   | 5     |
| Cover     | Counterbore| 8    | 6     |
| Cover     | Clearance Hole | 6    | 4     |
| Support   | Tapped Hole| M8   | 2     |
| Support   | Clearance Hole | 10   | 1     |
-----------------------------------------

Bonus Challenge

Create a heat map visualization showing hole density by location across all parts.

Show Hint

Group holes by Location and sum Quantity; use color intensity to represent counts.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of the Hole Wizard in SolidWorks?

easy

A. To simulate mechanical stress on parts

B. To design complex 3D shapes from scratch

C. To quickly create standard holes with predefined sizes and types

D. To export drawings to PDF format

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Hole Wizard functionality

   The Hole Wizard is a tool designed to create holes using standard sizes and types quickly.

2. Step 2: Compare options

   Options A, B, and D describe unrelated functions like simulation, 3D modeling, and exporting, which are not the Hole Wizard's purpose.

3. Final Answer:

   To quickly create standard holes with predefined sizes and types -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Hole Wizard = Standard hole creation [OK]

Hint: Hole Wizard = fast standard hole creation [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing Hole Wizard with simulation tools
• Thinking it creates complex shapes
• Assuming it exports files

2. Which of the following is the correct first step to create a hole using the Hole Wizard in SolidWorks?

easy

A. Select the Hole Wizard tool and choose the hole type

B. Draw a circle on the part surface

C. Apply a fillet to the edge

D. Export the part as a STEP file

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the Hole Wizard workflow

   The first step is to select the Hole Wizard tool and then pick the hole type you want to create.

2. Step 2: Eliminate unrelated steps

   Drawing a circle, applying fillets, or exporting files are unrelated to starting the Hole Wizard process.

3. Final Answer:

   Select the Hole Wizard tool and choose the hole type -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Start Hole Wizard = Select tool + hole type [OK]

Hint: Always start by selecting Hole Wizard tool [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to draw holes manually first
• Confusing fillet with hole creation
• Skipping Hole Wizard selection

3. Given the following steps in Hole Wizard: select 'Tapped Hole', choose size M6, set depth 10mm, and place on the face. What will be the result?

medium

A. No hole is created due to missing sketch

B. A 10mm diameter clearance hole is created

C. A 6mm diameter counterbore hole is created

D. A 6mm diameter threaded hole 10mm deep is created

Solution

1. Step 1: Interpret Hole Wizard settings

   Choosing 'Tapped Hole' with size M6 means a threaded hole with 6mm nominal diameter is selected.

2. Step 2: Understand depth and placement

   Setting depth to 10mm means the hole will be drilled 10mm deep on the selected face.

3. Final Answer:

   A 6mm diameter threaded hole 10mm deep is created -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Tapped Hole M6 + 10mm depth = threaded hole 6mm diameter [OK]

Hint: Tapped Hole M6 means 6mm threaded hole [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing tapped hole with clearance hole
• Ignoring depth setting
• Assuming counterbore instead of tapped

4. You tried to create a counterbore hole using Hole Wizard but the hole depth is not applying correctly. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. You did not select the correct hole type before setting depth

B. The part is not saved

C. You forgot to add a fillet before the hole

D. The Hole Wizard tool is not installed

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the error context

   If hole depth is not applying, it usually means the hole type settings are incorrect or incomplete.

2. Step 2: Check hole type selection

   Not selecting the correct hole type (e.g., counterbore) before setting depth causes the depth parameter to be ignored or misapplied.

3. Final Answer:

   You did not select the correct hole type before setting depth -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Wrong hole type = depth not applied [OK]

Hint: Always pick hole type before setting depth [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring hole type selection
• Thinking saving affects hole depth
• Assuming fillet is required
• Believing tool installation causes this

5. You need to create a part with multiple holes: a 10mm clearance hole, a 6mm tapped hole, and a 12mm counterbore hole. Using Hole Wizard, which sequence of actions is best to ensure correct hole types and sizes?

hard

A. Create one hole type and copy it multiple times, then manually edit sizes

B. Create each hole separately by selecting the correct hole type and size in Hole Wizard, then place them on the part

C. Draw circles for all holes and then convert them to holes using Hole Wizard

D. Create all holes as clearance holes and later change types in the feature tree

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand Hole Wizard best practice

   Each hole type requires selecting the correct hole type and size in Hole Wizard to apply proper parameters.

2. Step 2: Evaluate options for multiple holes

   Creating holes separately ensures correct hole features; copying and manual edits or drawing circles first can cause errors or inconsistencies.

3. Final Answer:

   Create each hole separately by selecting the correct hole type and size in Hole Wizard, then place them on the part -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Separate hole creation = correct types and sizes [OK]

Hint: Create holes one by one with correct type [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Copying holes and editing sizes manually
• Drawing circles before Hole Wizard
• Creating all holes as clearance holes