Site icon BLUE BYTE SYSTEMS INC.

SolidWorks Macro for Automated Cylinder Array Generation

Amen Jlili

Overview

This SolidWorks macro for automated cylinder array generation fully automates the creation of a linear array of cylinders in a SolidWorks part document. To gather user-defined parameters, the macro uses a graphical user interface (GUI), which includes radius, height, and extrusion depth, and then programmatically generates the cylindrical bodies. 

System Requirements

Prerequisites

Results

How To Set Up & Implement The Macro?

Follow these simple steps in order to set up and run the macro:

1. Create the UserForm

2. Add the VBA code

3. Save and Run the Macro

4. Input Parameters

When the macro runs, the UserForm1 GUI will appear. Enter the required parameters for your cylinders and click the Create Tube button to generate the model.

VBA Macro Code

' Disclaimer:
' The code provided should be used at your own risk.  
' Blue Byte Systems Inc. assumes no responsibility for any issues or damages that may arise from using or modifying this code.  
' For more information, visit [Blue Byte Systems Inc.](https://bluebyte.biz).

Option Explicit
Dim swApp As Object
Dim Part As Object
Dim SelMgr As Object
Dim boolstatus As Boolean
Dim longstatus As Long, longwarnings As Long
Dim Feature As Object
Dim ad As String

Sub main()
    UserForm1.Show
End Sub

VBA UserForm Code

Option Explicit
Dim swApp As SldWorks.SldWorks
Dim Part As SldWorks.ModelDoc2
Dim SelMgr As Object
Dim boolstatus As Boolean
Dim longstatus As Long, longwarnings As Long
Dim Feature As Object
Dim ad As String
Dim L As Double
Dim W As Double
Dim R As Double
Dim H As Double
Dim No As Integer
Dim i As Integer
Dim D As Double
Dim flag As Boolean

Private Sub Pcmd_Click()
    Set swApp = Application.SldWorks
    ad = swApp.GetUserPreferenceStringValue(swDefaultTemplatePart)
    swApp.SetUserPreferenceToggle swInputDimValOnCreate, False
    
    Set Part = swApp.NewDocument(ad, 0, 0#, 0#)
    Set Part = swApp.ActiveDoc

    No = Txt1.Value
    R = Txt2.Value / 1000
    H = Txt3.Value / 1000
    L = (10 * (No + 1) + (No / 2) * (4 * 1000 * R + 10 * (No - 1))) / 1000
    W = (20 + 2 * 1000 * R + (No - 1) * 10) / 1000
    D = Txt4.Value / 1000

    ' Create base sketch and extrusion
    boolstatus = Part.Extension.SelectByID2("Top Plane", "PLANE", 0, 0, 0, False, 0, Nothing, 0)
    Part.SketchManager.InsertSketch True
    Part.ClearSelection2 True
    Part.SketchRectangle 0, 0, 0, L, W, 0, 1
    Part.ClearSelection2 True

    ' Set sketch dimensions
    boolstatus = Part.Extension.SelectByID2("Line1", "SKETCHSEGMENT", 0.04195712890625, 0, 0.0004216796875, False, 0, Nothing, 0)
    Dim Annotation As Object
    Set Annotation = Part.AddDimension2(0.0411138, 0, 0.0156021)
    Part.ClearSelection2 True
    Part.Parameter("D1@Sketch1").SystemValue = L
    boolstatus = Part.Extension.SelectByID2("Line2", "SKETCHSEGMENT", -0.00021083984375, 0, -0.0303609375, False, 0, Nothing, 0)
    Set Annotation = Part.AddDimension2(-0.0132829, 0, -0.0303609)
    Part.ClearSelection2 True
    boolstatus = Part.Extension.SelectByID2("D1@Sketch1@Part1.SLDPRT", "DIMENSION", 0, 0, 0, False, 0, Nothing, 0)
    Part.Parameter("D2@Sketch1").SystemValue = W
    Part.ClearSelection2 True

    Part.SketchManager.InsertSketch True
    Part.ShowNamedView2 "*Trimetric", 8
    Part.ClearSelection2 True

    boolstatus = Part.Extension.SelectByID2("Sketch1", "SKETCH", 0, 0, 0, False, 0, Nothing, 0)
    Part.FeatureManager.FeatureExtrusion2 True, False, False, 0, 0, D, 0.01, False, False, False, False, 0.01745329251994, 0.01745329251994, False, False, False, False, 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, False
    Part.SelectionManager.EnableContourSelection = 0

    ' Create cylinders based on input parameters
    For i = 1 To No
        boolstatus = Part.Extension.SelectByID2("", "FACE", L, D, -W / 2, False, 0, Nothing, 0)
        Part.SketchManager.InsertSketch True
        Part.ClearSelection2 True
        Part.CreateCircleByRadius2 (10 * i + (i / 2) * (4 * 1000 * R + 10 * (i - 1)) - R * 1000 - (i - 1) * 5) / 1000, W / 2, 0, (1000 * R + (i - 1) * 5) / 1000
        Part.ClearSelection2 True

        Part.SketchManager.InsertSketch True
        Part.FeatureManager.FeatureExtrusion True, False, False, 0, 0, (1000 * H + 10 * (i - 1)) / 1000, 0.01, False, False, False, False, 0.01745329251994, 0.01745329251994, False, False, False, False, 1, 1, 1
        Part.SelectionManager.EnableContourSelection = 0
    Next

    Part.ViewZoomtofit2
End Sub

Macro

You can download the macro from here.

Customization & Improvements

While this macro is extremely useful, engineering workflows often require specific automation solutions. If you have a requirement that needs you to modify this mapping to encompass other geometries, combine it into another design process, or develop a new SolidWorks add-in altogether, we can assist! The SolidWorks macro for automated cylinder array generation is a good example of how targeted automation can simplify repetitive modelling tasks.

At Blue Byte System Inc., we focus on developing customized macros and add-ins based on a minimal definition to suit specific business workflow needs; ultimately increasing the productivity of the engineer and/or organization.

Why wait then? Contact us to discuss how we can assist you in achieving your peak productivity with our custom solutions.

Exit mobile version