CSWP Training Guide – Full Step-by-

Step Manual
Section 1: Introduction & Exam Preparation
About the CSWP Exam

 Structure: 3 segments (Parts, Configurations, Assemblies)

 Time Limit: 3.5 hrs total (broken into timed segments)
 Passing Score: ~75% overall
 Tips:
o Always use mass properties to verify dimensions.
o Save often, exam files are large.
o If stuck, move on — exam is timed tightly.
Section 2: Part Modelling Essentials (Segment 1)
Feature Conditions (End, Mid-Plane, Blind, Up To Next)

How to Use:

1. Start a sketch on a plane.

2. Choose Extruded Boss/Base.
3. Under “End Condition” choose:
o Blind → specify depth.
o Mid-Plane → extrudes equally in both directions.
o Up to Next → extrudes until next face/geometry.
o Up to Surface → extrudes until selected face.
4. Confirm

Revision Note:

 Mid-Plane is common for symmetric models (saves sketching effort).

 Up to Next/Surface is used for exam questions that give changing geometry.
Introduction Tools
Draft

How to Use:

1. Select Draft Feature.

2. Pick a Neutral Plane (face that stays fixed).
3. Enter draft angle (e.g., 3°).
4. Select faces to taper.

Revision Note:

 Neutral Plane = stays fixed.

 Always check direction (use Reverse Direction if taper goes wrong).

Draft Types

 Neutral Plane Draft: Tapers from a flat reference face.

 Parting Line Draft: Uses a sketch line or edge to taper around split line.

Revision Note:

 Parting line drafts appear in mold/exam questions.

Shell

How to Use:

1. Click Shell tool.

2. Enter wall thickness (e.g., 2 mm).
3. Select faces to remove (to open model).
4. Confirm

Revision Note:

 Always re-check wall thickness in section view.

 Multi-Body Parts

How to Use:

1. Create multiple solids by unchecking Merge Result in Extrude.

2. Manage them in Solid Bodies folder.
3. Use Combine (Add, Subtract, Common) for Boolean operations.

Revision Note:

 Don’t forget to name bodies for quick switching in exam.

Mirror

How to Use:

1. Select Mirror Feature.

2. Choose plane (Front/Right/Top or custom).
3. Pick features or bodies to mirror.

Revision Note:

 Mirroring bodies avoids errors when exam geometry is complex.

Rib

How to Use:

1. Draw a single line or curve sketch.

2. Select Rib Feature.
3. Define thickness and direction.

Revision Note:

 Rib requires open sketch (not closed profile).

 Hole Wizard

How to Use:

1. Click Hole Wizard.

2. Select hole type (e.g., tapped, counterbore).
3. Choose standard (ISO, ANSI).
4. Define size.
5. Switch to Positions tab, place hole points.

Revision Note:

 In exam, Hole Wizard is always faster than manually cutting holes.

Feature Scope

How to Use:

 In multi-body part, select Feature Scope option inside features.

 Choose which bodies are affected.

Revision Note:

 Saves time when working on exam multi-body questions.

Linked Dimensions & Equations

How to Use:

1. Right-click a dimension → Link Value.

2. Enter name (e.g., "Width").
3. Create equations: Tools → Equations → Add.

Revision Note:

 Global Variables (e.g., "Width = 2*Height") are powerful for exam updates.
 Reference Geometry & Mass Properties

How to Use:

 Planes: Reference Geometry → Plane → define offsets/angles.

 Axes/CS: for mates and measurements.
 Mass Properties: Tools → Evaluate → Mass Properties.

Revision Note:

 Always confirm exam answers with Mass Properties (weight, volume, COG).

Segment 1 Practice Exam

 Build part from given 2D drawings.

 Apply Shell, Draft, Hole Wizard.
 Confirm Mass, Volume, and COG match answer sheet.
Section 3: Configurations (Segment 2)
Design Tables

How to Use:

1. Insert → Tables → Design Table.

2. Select parameters (dimensions, suppression states).
3. Enter different values for each configuration.
4. Exit table → configurations update automatically.

Revision Note:

 Exam requires quick switching between configs → practice Excel edits.

Segment 2 Practice Exam

 Given a part with 3 configs.

 Add design table, update parameters.
 Confirm Mass Properties per config.
Section 4: Assemblies (Segment 3)
Distance & Angle Mates

 Apply Mate → choose two faces.

 Select Distance or Angle.

Profile Center Mate

 Select two sketch profiles → mates to center.

Symmetric & Width Mates

 Symmetric: keeps components centered.

 Width: spaces part evenly between two faces.

Collision & Interference Detection

 Tools → Evaluate → Interference.

 Enable Collision Detection in Move Component.

Replacing Parts

 Right-click part → Replace Components.

Path Mate

 Insert mate → Path Mate → select path sketch + part face.

Gear & Linear Coupler

 Mechanical mates → Gear ratio or linear motion coupling.

Revision Note (Assemblies):

 Use Flexible Sub-Assemblies if motion is locked.

Segment 3 Practice Exam

 Assemble given components with specified mates.

 Replace parts, check motion with Path Mate.
 Confirm COG and Mass match expected values.
Section 5: Full Mock Exam
(Structured like real CSWP – 3 Segments)

Mock Exam – Segment 1 (Part Modelling, 70 min)

1. Model base part from drawing.

2. Add Shell (2 mm), Draft (5°).
3. Insert Hole Wizard holes.
4. Mirror features.
5. Report Mass Properties.

Mock Exam – Segment 2 (Configurations, 50 min)

1. Create 3 configurations of given part.

2. Modify dimensions using Design Table.
3. Add equation for feature height.
4. Report different Mass for each config.

Mock Exam – Segment 3 (Assemblies, 60 min)

1. Assemble given 6 parts with mates.

2. Replace one part and re-mate.
3. Add sub-assembly with motion (Path Mate).
4. Run interference detection.
5. Report COG of assembly.
Section 6: Final Revision Notes
 Always use mid-plane extrudes unless told otherwise.
 Double-check units (mm vs inches).
 Use Mass Properties to confirm answers.
 Save frequently in exam → files are large.
 Don’t panic: you can pass even if 1–2 answers are skipped.
Expanded SolidWorks Shortcut Key Combinations

General Shortcut Keys

Shortcut Function
Ctrl + N New document
Ctrl + O Open document
Ctrl + S Save document
Ctrl + P Print
Ctrl + Z Undo
Ctrl + Y Redo
Ctrl + Tab Switch open documents
Ctrl + Q Force Rebuild
Ctrl + B Standard Rebuild
Spacebar View Orientation menu
Ctrl + 1 Front view
Ctrl + 2 Back view
Ctrl + 3 Left view
Ctrl + 4 Right view
Ctrl + 5 Top view
Ctrl + 6 Bottom view
Ctrl + 7 Isometric view

S Key: Context-Sensitive Shortcut Wheel

• Sketch tools: Line, Circle, Rectangle, Smart Dimension

• Features: Extrude, Revolve, Cut, Fillet, Chamfer, Shell

• Evaluate: Mass Properties, Measure

• View tools depending on context

A Key: Selection Cycling

• Cycle through selection filters

• Switch between edges, faces, bodies, vertices

• Extremely useful in tight geometry selection

3DConnexion Space Mouse Usage

Control Description
Tilt / Push / Twist Cap Rotate, pan, zoom the model
smoothly in all axes
Fit Button Zoom to fit view
Menu Button Open 3Dconnexion radial menu
Rotation Lock Disable rotation for planar
modeling tasks
Custom Macros Assign shortcuts such as Ctrl+Q,
Normal To, S-key panel

3DConnexion Cad Mouse Pro Wireless Usage

Feature Description
Middle Mouse Button Quick pan or rotate depending on
settings
Gesture Button Access radial menus for quick
SolidWorks commands
Smart Scroll Adaptive scroll/smooth zoom
inside SolidWorks
Extra Side Buttons Assign custom macros or common
commands
Precision Sensor Extremely accurate sketching and
selection
 CSWP Quick Revision Sheets

Segment 1 – Part Modelling (70 min)

Core Features

 Extrude Boss/Cut (End Conditions)

o Blind → set depth
o Mid-Plane → symmetric
o Up to Next/Surface → stops at geometry
 Draft
o Neutral plane → face fixed
o Reverse direction if taper wrong
 Shell
o Wall thickness
o Remove face(s)
 Multi-Body
o Uncheck “Merge Result” to create multiple solids
o Combine → Add, Subtract, Common
 Mirror
o Mirror features or whole bodies
 Rib
o Open sketch line → Rib tool
 Hole Wizard
o Standard, tapped, counterbore holes
o Use Positions tab to place
 Equations/Linked Dimensions
o “=D1@Sketch1” or Global Variables
o Tools → Equations
 Mass Properties
o Tools → Evaluate → Mass Properties
o Always check Mass/Volume/COG

Exam Tips

Use section view after Shell

Mirror bodies for faster exam work
Mass Properties = confirmation of correct answer
Watch units (mm vs inch)
 Segment 2 – Configurations (50 min)
Design Tables

1. Insert → Tables → Design Table

2. Add dimension names (D1, D2, etc.)
3. Enter new values per config

Configurations

 Manage in Configuration Manager

 Suppress/unsuppress features per config

Equations in Configs

 Set dimension = global variable (e.g., Height = 2*Width)

Exam Tips

Practice Excel edits quickly

Switch configs and confirm mass properties
Use descriptive names for configs
 Segment 3 – Assemblies (60 min)
Assembly Mates

 Distance/Angle Mate → constrain with values

 Profile Center Mate → quick cantering
 Symmetric Mate → keep cantered about plane
 Width Mate → equal spacing

Motion/Mechanical

 Path Mate → follow sketch path

 Gear Mate → set gear ratio
 Linear Coupler → motion link

Tools

 Collision Detection → Move Component

 Interference Detection → Tools → Evaluate
 Replace Part → Right-click → Replace

Sub-Assemblies

 Flexible → motion active

 Rigid → locked

Exam Tips

Flexible sub-assemblies often required

Replace Part keeps mates → saves time
Always run Interference Check before submitting
 Mock Exam Quick Guide
Segment 1 (70 min)

 Model base part

 Apply Shell, Draft, Hole Wizard, Mirror
 Report Mass

Segment 2 (50 min)

 Create 3 Configurations via Design Table

 Apply equations
 Report Mass per config

Segment 3 (60 min)

 Assemble 6 parts with mates

 Replace one part
 Add Path Mate motion
 Run Interference Check
 Report COG