本视频教程是由Digital-Tutors机构出品的SolidWorks风车叶片制作训练视频教程，Digital-Tutors Creating a Windmill Blade in SolidWorks，时长：1小时43分，大小：210 MB，格式：MP4高清视频，附工程源文件，教程使用软件：SolidWorks 2012，共11个章节，作者：Chris Scarlett，语言：英语。
SolidWorks为达索系统（Dassault Systemes S.A）下的子公司，专门负责研发与销售机械设计软件的视窗产品。达索公司是负责系统性的软件供应，并为制造厂商提供具有Internet整合能力的支援服务。该集团提供涵盖整个产品生命周期的系统，包括设计、工程、制造和产品数据管理等各个领域中的最佳软件系统，著名的CATIAV5就出自该公司之手，目前达索的CAD产品市场占有率居世界前列。
Digital-Tutors机构是号称全球最大的CG教程网站，2000多万次视频播放记录，顶级客户的优秀项目实例，被誉为教学和娱乐结合的最好的教程，RenderMan创建人称之为“完美的学习站点”，成立至今已经有12年之久，内容集中在视频制作和游戏制作两大板块，其网站完整的教学的理念，先进的技术支持（他们甚至开启了移动手机看教程的计划，支持IPAD/IPHONE/ANDROID），都让人耳目一新。尤其是多层级的教学难度设置，有趣的考试内容，时不时的竞赛，让DT成为非常活跃的一个CG机构。
Digital-Tutors Creating a Windmill Blade in SolidWorks
In this SolidWorks tutorial we’ll explore the use of the SolidWorks sketch bend sheet metal tool for the virtual recreation of a prairie windmill blade.
The creation of this blade model, which is part of an assembly in a different tutorial, attempts to emulate how it may have been fabricated almost 80 years ago. In its day, this cutting edge blade design begins to resemble a modern turbine blade with more material and a steeper blade angle on the inner part while transitioning to less material and a smaller angle on the outside.
The shape of the blade is a simple partial cylinder that was probably rolled from a sheet metal flat pattern with various incorporated cuts. Using SolidWorks sheet metal we’ll start with a flat form and add various cuts, that are used to accommodate its shape and support structure, along with the blade’s angular edges.
We’ll then apply the sketch bend feature to provide it’s partial cylindrical shape. Along the way we’ll discuss the limitations and workarounds when using the sketch bend feature and demonstrate some of the errors that may result from using the resulting sheet metal geometry for new features.
We’ll also demonstrate an alternative method using solid modeling techniques and then finish up the tutorial by creating a simple sheet metal rivet. In the end, using the SolidWorks sheet metal tool and the sketch bend feature creates a model that closely emulates how the blade was probably fabricated years ago.
The benefit of using sheet metal on a part like this is the resulting flat pattern which is easier to work on and contains all of the necessary cuts needed before the part is shaped into its final form. The methods demonstrated in this SolidWorks training apply to many modern sheet metal designs involving cuts, angular forms and cylindrical bends made from a flat pattern.
