How to Model a Paperclip

 This is how to model a Paperclip in SolidWorks

 
 Render of the final Paperclip

Open a new part with model units set to millimeters
Go to: File > New > Part 

Create a 2D sketch
Select the Front Plane in the feature tree (menu at the left side) and create a sketch by clicking on the 2D Sketch icon 
The display changes so the Front plane faces you.

Create a circle
Go to Tools > Sketch Entities > Circle or click at the Circle icon 
Create a sketch which starts at the Origin. 
Change the diameter of the circle into Ø 9 mm by clicking at the dimension button 
Click Right Mouse Button > Select to finish the circle. 

Create a straight line
Go to Tools > Sketch Entities > Line or click at the Line icon 
Create a vertical line as shown in the picture.
Change the length of the line into 22 mm by clicking at the dimension button 


Create a centerline
Go to Tools > Sketch Entities > Centerline or click at the Centerline icon 
Create a horizontal centerline as shown in the picture.
Change the length of the line into 3,9 mm by clicking at the dimension button 


Create another circle
Go to Tools > Sketch Entities > Circle or click at the Circle icon 
Create a circle which starts at the left endpoint of the centerline as shown in the picture.
The circle turns black which means that it’s fully defined.

Create another straight line
Go to Tools > Sketch Entities > Line or click at the Line icon 
Create a vertical line as shown in the picture.
Change the length of the line into 15 mm by clicking at the dimension button 


Create another straight line
Go to Tools > Sketch Entities > Line or click at the Line icon 
Create a vertical line as shown in the picture.
Change the length of the line into 31 mm by clicking at the dimension button 

Create another centerline
Go to Tools > Sketch Entities > Centerline or click at the Centerline icon 
Create a horizontal centerline as shown in the picture.
Change the length of the line into 5 mm by clicking at the dimension button 

Create another circle
Go to Tools > Sketch Entities > Circle or click at the Circle icon 
Create a circle which starts at the right endpoint of the centerline as shown in the picture.
The circle turns black which means that it’s fully defined.



Create another straight line
Go to Tools > Sketch Entities > Line or click at the Line icon 
Create a vertical line as shown in the picture.
Change the length of the line into 24 mm by clicking at the dimension button 


Trim the line you don’t need
Go to Tools > Sketch Tools > Trim or click at the Line icon 
Hold left mouse button and drag the cursor over the line parts which you want to delete. Trim the three parts as shown in the picture
The sketch is now finished.
Click at the Sketch button in the upper right corner close the 2D Sketch 


Create a new plane
Go to: Insert > Reference Geometry > Plane 
Select one of the endpoints of Sketch1
Hold the Control button and select the purple line as shown in the picture
The new plane appears in blue
Click OK 

Create another 2D sketch
Select the new Plane1 and create a sketch by clicking on the 2D Sketch icon 

Create a circle
Go to Tools > Sketch Entities > Circle or click at the Circle icon 
Create a sketch which starts at the endpoint of Sketch1.
Change the diameter of the circle into Ø 1 mm by clicking at the dimension button 
Click at the Sketch button in the upper right corner close the 2D Sketch 

Create a Swept Boss/Base
Go to: Insert > Boss/Base > Sweep or click at the Sweep icon 
Profile : Select the blue Sketch2
Path : Select the pink Sketch1
Click OK 


Congratulations, you just finished your own Paperclip!
Well, that’s all for today. I hope you learned something from this tutorial! Feel free to leave a message below.