Guided Exercise + Video: DimXpert - Gasket

Goals:

1. Use DimXpert to add manufacturing dimensions and geometric

tolerances to a gasket model.

2. Fully define all of the manufacturable features using

DimXpert.

Instructions:

1. Download the file linked below and save it to a local folder.

http://app.solidprofessor.com/weblms/html5/17SWDimTol_Gasket/Gasket.zip

2. Open the existing exercise file Gasket.sldprt in SOLIDWORKS.

3. Switch over to the DimXpertManager tree, and open the DimXpert toolbar on the
CommandManager.

4. To begin dimensioning the part, open the Datum Tool.

a. Make sure the label starts at “A”.

i. The first datum will be the front flat face, set as a plane feature.
ii. The second will be the angled face.
iii. Last, select the large central hole for the third datum.
 Guided Exercise + Video: DimXpert - Gasket

b. Click on the Size Dimension tool to add a dimension.

i. Select the large central hole and click again to place the
dimension in the graphics area.
ii. Dimension one of the small holes making sure the “Pattern” option is chosen on
the feature selector.

iii. Use the pattern feature once again for the holes on the angled face.
 Guided Exercise + Video: DimXpert - Gasket

5. To check the status of the part, click on the “Show Tolerance Status” icon. Features that appear

in green are fully defined.

6. Open the Location Dimension tool to add dimensions to the features on the back of the part.

a. Select the face used for the first datum and

the back face opposite of it.

b. Do the same for the angled face.

c. Select the front flat face and the angled

face once more to add the angled
dimension between them.

7. Check the status again and notice that all that is left
are the side faces and positioning the holes.
 Guided Exercise + Video: DimXpert - Gasket

8. To fully define the side faces, start by adding a size dimension to the top curved face of the
gasket to create a cylindrical feature.

a. Next, add another size dimension to the bottom curved face.

 Guided Exercise + Video: DimXpert - Gasket

b. To define the width of the gasket, add a location dimension between the center of the
small cylinder and the edge of the part.

c. Add another location dimension between the center of the big cylinder and the edge of
the part.

9. Click the “Show Tolerance Status” icon to see that all of the grey is gone and the model appears
in completely green and yellow.

10. The DimXpert Manager displays the features that are still under-defined, as they appear in blue.
 Guided Exercise + Video: DimXpert - Gasket

11. Apply geometric tolerances to the remaining features, beginning with the large central hole.

a. Select the “Geometric Tolerance” icon, and select the properties as shown below.

b. Without closing the geometric tolerance options, select the hole from the graphics
window and click again to place the tolerance.

c. Exit the property manager and check the tolerance status to see that the hole now
appears in green.

12. Add geometric tolerances to the hole patterns.

a. Select the properties shown below.

b. Add this geometric tolerance to both hole patterns and exit the property manager.
 Guided Exercise + Video: DimXpert - Gasket

13. Go to the DimXpert manager tree and delete the two “distance between” dimensions created
from step 7b and 7c so that geometric tolerances can be added.

a. Open the geometric tolerance tool again and select the following properties.

b. Add the tolerance to the two cylindrical features.

14. Click OK, and notice from the DimXpert tree and the tolerance status that everything is fully
defined. If the part is not completely green, or is over-defined, go back and check your work,
and make sure you selected the correct properties for the geometric tolerances.
 Guided Exercise + Video: DimXpert - Gasket

Self-Check:
1. Check the “Tolerance Status.” Does the whole part appear in green? If so, good job! Try to
find which dimensions or tolerances are missing from the faces that appear in another color
and add them.