Membrane Switch Panel

[msjames1]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to model a membrane switch panel?

I need to create a drawing that shows the size & location of the various keys. I'd also like to be able to realistically depict the text & logos.

 

[MadMango]

I have used Split Lines and Domes successfully to show the raised buttons on a membrane panel. For text, I used Sketch Entities>Text and Extrudes. You may get better results using Decals in PhotoWorks.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[ctopher]

I have used the same as MM. The membrane as a part extruded to thickness, then add text extruded nery thin.
You can use configurations to separate colors/layers to create dwgs to send DXF to vendor for screening.

Chris
SolidWorks 07 3.0/PDMWorks 07
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 04-21-07)

 

[Updraft]

Text is one of the items that is a huge resource hog. I use text features sparingly and usually have them suppressed in all configs except the one one that absolutely requires it.

Many times I can can get the best of both worlds by creating a sketch on the plane of the appropriate surface and creating the text only in the sketch. Text in a sketch doesn't consume any appreciable resources. Text as a feature is a burden. The only issue here is that you cannot control the line density or color of the sketched text, but many times it does the job nicely. One thing to note, turn off the display of endpoints in sketch elements.

- - -Updraft

 

[Areva]

I also use MM’s method except for text (or symbols) where I use split face or the wrap tool. The sketches are drawn on a new front plane just a short distance above the button height and then projected on to the button surface.

The result is the image follows the raised contour of the button just like it had been screened on. The advantage the wrap tool has over split face is it allows more than one closed contour to be consumed in the sketch but occasionally fails. When this happens I use split face.

Eddy

 

[msjames1]

Thanks for the input.

Does anyone know how to load a new font into SolidWorks? The lettering needs to be helvetica. Arial is close, but I'd prefer to use the true font if at all possible.

Also, does anyone have a link to a site that lays out the dimensional thickness for a given line weight? (i.e. how many inches thick is a 2 pt. line?)

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

SW only uses true type fonts installed in C:\WINDOWS\Fonts. Helvetica should already be installed on your machine. If it isn't you will need to download and copy it to this location.

The font for various elements can be changed from Tools > Options > Document Properties > Annotations Font. Once they have been changed to suit create a document template to retain the information.

72 points = 1"