PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e SolidWorks® 2012 Assembly Modeling
Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corporation 175 Wyman Street Waltham, Massachusetts 02451 USA
In the event that you receive a request from any agency of the U.S. government to provide Software with rights beyond those set forth above, you will notify DS SolidWorks of the scope of the request and DS SolidWorks will have five (5) business days to, in its sole discretion, accept or reject such request. Contractor/Manufacturer: Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corporation, 175 Wyman Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451 US.
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© 1995-2011, Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corporation, a Dassault Systèmes S.A. company, 175 Wyman Street, Waltham, MA 02451 USA. All rights reserved. The information and the software discussed in this document are subject to change without notice and are not commitments by Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corporation (DS SolidWorks). No material may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or manually, for any purpose without the express written permission of DS SolidWorks. The software discussed in this document is furnished under a license and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the license. All warranties given by DS SolidWorks as to the software and documentation are set forth in the license agreement, and nothing stated in, or implied by, this document or its contents shall be considered or deemed a modification or amendment of any terms, including warranties, in the license agreement. Patent Notices
SolidWorks® 3D mechanical CAD software is protected by U.S. Patents 5,815,154; 6,219,049; 6,219,055; 6,611,725; 6,844,877; 6,898,560; 6,906,712; 7,079,990; 7,477,262; 7,558,705; 7,571,079; 7,590,497; 7,643,027; 7,672,822; 7,688,318; 7,694,238; 7,853,940 and foreign patents, (e.g., EP 1,116,190 and JP 3,517,643).
eDrawings® software is protected by U.S. Patent 7,184,044; U.S. Patent 7,502,027; and Canadian Patent 2,318,706. U.S. and foreign patents pending.
Trademarks and Product Names for SolidWorks Products and Services SolidWorks, 3D PartStream.NET, 3D ContentCentral, eDrawings, and the eDrawings logo are registered trademarks and FeatureManager is a jointly owned registered trademark of DS SolidWorks. CircuitWorks, FloXpress, TolAnalyst, and XchangeWorks are trademarks of DS SolidWorks. FeatureWorks is a registered trademark of Geometric Ltd. SolidWorks 2012, SolidWorks Enterprise PDM, SolidWorks Workgroup PDM, SolidWorks Simulation, SolidWorks Flow Simulation, eDrawings Professional, and SolidWorks Sustainability are product names of DS SolidWorks. Other brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. COMMERCIAL COMPUTER SOFTWARE — PROPRIETARY The Software is a “commercial item” as that term is defined at 48 C.F.R. 2.101 (OCT 1995), consisting of “commercial computer software” and “commercial software documentation” as such terms are used in 48 C.F.R. 12.212 (SEPT 1995) and is provided to the U.S. Government (a) for acquisition by or on behalf of civilian agencies, consistent with the policy set forth in 48 C.F.R. 12.212; or (b) for acquisition by or on behalf of units 3 of the department of Defense, consistent with the policies set forth in 48 C.F.R. 227.7202-1 (JUN 1995) and 227.7202-4 (JUN 1995).
Document Number: PMT1202-ENG
Copyright Notices for SolidWorks Standard, Premium, Professional, and Education Products Portions of this software © 1986-2011 Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software Inc. All rights reserved. Portions of this software © 1986-2011 Siemens Industry Software Limited. All rights reserved. Portions of this software © 1998-2011 Geometric Ltd. Portions of this software © 1996-2011 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Portions of this software incorporate PhysX™™ by NVIDIA 2006-2010. Portions of this software © 2001-2011 Luxology, Inc. All rights reserved, patents pending. Portions of this software © 2007-2011 DriveWorks Ltd. Copyright 1984-2010 Adobe Systems Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Protected by U.S. Patents 5,929,866; 5,943,063; 6,289,364; 6,563,502; 6,639,593; 6,754,382; patents pending. Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat, the Adobe PDF logo, Distiller and Reader are registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. For more SolidWorks® copyright information, see Help > About SolidWorks. Copyright Notices for SolidWorks Simulation Products Portions of this software © 2008 Solversoft Corporation. PCGLSS © 1992-2010 Computational Applications and System Integration, Inc. All rights reserved. Copyright Notices for Enterprise PDM Product Outside In® Viewer Technology, © 1992-2010 Oracle Portions of this software © 1996-2011 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Copyright Notices for eDrawings Products Portions of this software © 2000-2011 Tech Soft 3D. Portions of this software © 1995-1998 Jean-Loup Gailly and Mark Adler. Portions of this software © 1998-2001 3Dconnexion. Portions of this software © 1998-2011 Open Design Alliance. All rights reserved. Portions of this software © 1995-2010 Spatial Corporation. This software is based in part on the work of the Independent JPEG Group.
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e Contents
Introduction:
About This Course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Course Design Philosophy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Using this Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 About the Training Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Windows® 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Conventions Used in this Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Use of Color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Graphics and Graphics Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Color Schemes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Lesson 1: Top-Down Assembly Modeling
Top-Down Assembly Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Stages in the Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Building Virtual Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 A Note of Caution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Adding a New Part into an Assembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Results of Insert, Component, New Part. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Edit Component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Virtual Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Appearance of Components While Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 How Transparency Affects Selecting Geometry . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Building Parts in an Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Common Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
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In-Context Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Working Outside the Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Propagating Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Saving Virtual Parts as External . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 InPlace Mates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 External References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Out of Context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Putting a Part Back Into Context . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Breaking External References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Breaking and Locking External References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 External Reference Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Removing External References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Why Remove External References? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Editing the Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Using Parts with Broken References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Exercise 1: Top-Down Assembly Modeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Exercise 2: In-context Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Lesson 2: Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Stages in the Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Assembly Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Hole Series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Time-Dependent Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Hole Series with an Existing Hole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Smart Fasteners. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Fastener Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Smart Fasteners Settings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Hole Series Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Changes to Existing Fasteners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Exercise 3: The Hole Wizard and Smart Fasteners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Exercise 4: Assembly Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Exercise 5: Level Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Lesson 3: Advanced Mate Techniques Advanced Mates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Key Topics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Mate Capabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Best Practices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Design Library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Mate References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Smart Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Mates from Within the Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Adding Mate References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
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Design Library Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Capture Mate References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 Smart Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Create the Defining Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74 Make Smart Component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75 Inserting the Smart Component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76 Inserting Smart Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 Using Multiple Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Using Auto Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Advanced and Mechanical Mate Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Advanced Mate Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Mechanical Mate Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 The Belt / Chain Assembly Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87 Rack Pinion Mate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Summary: Inserting and Mating Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Inserting the First Component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Inserting Additional Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92 Inserting and Mating Simultaneously . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Mating Existing Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Multiple Mate Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94 Using Copy with Mates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Copy with Mates vs. Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Mate Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Investigating the Mates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98 Exercise 6: Mates and Animation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103 Exercise 7: Using Copy With Mates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Exercise 8: Smart Components 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 Exercise 9: Smart Components 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112 Exercise 10: Gear Mates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Lesson 4: Using Configurations with Assemblies Using Configurations with Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Stages in the Process. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 Component Patterns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120 Creating Configurations Manually . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Configuration Properties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 Using Configure Component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123 Configuration Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128 Using the PropertyManager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129 Information from an Assembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130 Exercise 11: Component Patterning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Exercise 12: Using Modify Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 Exercise 13: Assembly Configurations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137 Exercise 14: Using Configuration Publisher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
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Lesson 5: Display States and Appearances Display States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Stored Display States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Display States vs. Configurations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 Display Pane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Display Pane Icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145 Bulk Selection Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146 Adding Display States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Renaming Display States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Copying a Display State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 Configurations and Display States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Linked Display States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154 Advanced Select . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 Envelopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158 Appearances, Materials and Scenes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Appearances Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159 Using RealView Graphics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 Changing Scenes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162 Adjusting Texture Maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Exercise 15: Display States. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 Exercise 16: Display States, Appearances and Materials . . . . . . . . . 170 Lesson 6: Assembly Editing Assembly Editing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Key Topics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Editing Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Design Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174 Finding and Repairing Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 Information From an Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175 Converting Parts and Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 Parts into Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 Assemblies into Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 Parts into Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 Replacing Parts with Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179 Replacing and Modifying Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 Working in a Multi-user Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 Replacing a Single Instance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 Troubleshooting an Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Mate Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Mated Entities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184 Over Defined Mates and Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 MateXpert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Replacing Components Using Save As . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
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Mirroring Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 Mirroring or Copying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 Reloading Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 Hole Alignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 Controlling Dimensions in an Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 Global Variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 Assembly Equations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 Dimension Names in an Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 Adding Equations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 Equation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 Sensors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 Dimension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 Exercise 17: Assembly Errors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205 Exercise 18: Sensors and Assembly Equations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207 Exercise 19: Mirror Component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Lesson 7: Layout-based Assembly Design Layout-based Assembly Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212 Key Topics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212 The Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212 Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 Using Local Blocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 Creating a Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 Mechanical Motion with Blocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Saving a Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215 Inserting Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217 Editing Blocks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 Exploding Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218 Creating a Part from a Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219 Gear and Pulley Motion in Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222 Exercise 20: Stick Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225 Exercise 21: Inserting Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 Exercise 22: Making Blocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229 Exercise 23: Belts and Traction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231 Lesson 8: Large Assemblies Large Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234 Key Topics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234 Lightweight Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 Creating Lightweight Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235 After the Assembly is Open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 Indicators of Lightweight Status. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 Best Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236 Comparison of Component States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
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Contents
SolidWorks 2012
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e
Large Assembly Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237 Unloading Hidden Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242 Scroll Selected Item into View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243 Using SpeedPak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244 Including Faces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244 Quick Include . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244 Defeature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246 Using Configurations with Large Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 Suppressing Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 Simplified Configurations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 249 Advanced Open. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Modifying the Structure of an Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Dissolving a Sub-assembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Creating a New Sub-assembly with Components. . . . . . . . . . . . 250 Promoting and Demoting Components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251 Using Folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 Sub-assembly Solving. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254 Assembly Visualization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255 Large Design Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257 Tips for Faster Assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260 Mate Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263 Drawing Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264 Exercise 24: Large Assemblies with Display States and SpeedPak . 265 Exercise 25: Flexible Sub-assemblies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268 Exercise 26: Working with Sub-assemblies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271 Exercise 27: Simplified Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
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PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e Introduction
1
Introduction
The goal of this course is to teach you how to utilize the assembly modeling capabilities of SolidWorks mechanical design automation software. Specifically:
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e
About This Course
SolidWorks 2012
I I I I I I I I I I
Top-down or in-context assembly modeling. Use standard, advanced and mechanical mate types. Create component patterns in assemblies. Create configurations of assemblies. Manage assemblies using SolidWorks Explorer. Find and fix errors in assemblies. Query assemblies and obtain information about them. Use layout-based design to create a sketched assembly that can be converted to a true component assembly. Create variations of appearances with display states. Use display states, configurations and other techniques to make working with large assemblies more efficient.
The tools for working with assemblies in the SolidWorks software are quite robust and feature rich. During this course, we will cover many of the commands and options in great detail. However, it is impractical to cover every minute detail and still have the course be a reasonable length. Therefore, the focus of this course is on the skills, tools, and concepts central to successfully working with assemblies. You should view the training course manual as a supplement to, not a replacement for, the system documentation and on-line help. Once you have developed a good foundation in the skills covered in this course, you can refer to the on-line help for information on less frequently used command options.
Prerequisites
Students attending this course are expected to have the following:
I I I
Mechanical design experience. Completed the course SolidWorks Essentials. Experience with the Windows™ operating system.
Course Length
The recommended minimum length of this course is 2 days.
Course Design Philosophy
This course is designed around a process- or task-based approach to training. Rather than focus on individual features and functions, a process-based training course emphasizes the processes and procedures you follow to complete a particular task. By utilizing case studies to illustrate these processes, you learn the necessary commands, options and menus in the context of completing a design task.
Using this Book
This training manual is intended to be used in a classroom environment under the guidance of an experienced SolidWorks instructor. It is not intended to be a self-paced tutorial. The examples and case studies are designed to be demonstrated “live” by the instructor.
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SolidWorks 2012
Laboratory exercises give you the opportunity to apply and practice the material covered during the lecture/demonstration portion of the course. They are designed to represent typical design and modeling situations while being modest enough to be completed during class time. You should note that many students work at different paces. Therefore, we have included more lab exercises than you can reasonably expect to complete during the course. This ensures that even the fastest student will not run out of exercises.
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e
Laboratory Exercises
Introduction
A Note About Dimensions
The drawings and dimensions given in the lab exercises are not intended to reflect any particular drafting standard. In fact, sometimes dimensions are given in a fashion that would never be considered acceptable in industry. The reason for this is the labs are designed to encourage you to apply the information covered in class and to employ and reinforce certain techniques. As a result, the drawings and dimensions in the exercises are done in a way that compliments this objective.
About the Training Files
A complete set of the various files used throughout this course can be downloaded from the SolidWorks website, www.solidworks.com. Click on the link for Support, then Training, then Training Files, then SolidWorks Training Files. Select the link for the desired file set. There may be more than one version of each file set available. Direct URL:
www.solidworks.com/trainingfilessolidworks
The files are supplied in signed, self-extracting executable packages.
The files are organized by lesson number. The Case Study folder within each lesson contains the files your instructor uses while presenting the lessons. The Exercises folder contains any files that are required for doing the laboratory exercises.
Windows® 7
The screen shots in this manual were made using the SolidWorks software running on Windows® 7. If you are not using Windows 7, or if you have a different theme setting, you may notice slight differences in the appearance of the menus and windows. These differences do not affect the performance of the software.
3
Introduction
This manual uses the following typographic conventions:
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e
Conventions Used in this Book
SolidWorks 2012
Convention
Bold Sans Serif
SolidWorks commands and options appear in this style. For example, Features > Extruded Cut means click the Extrude Cut icon on the Features tab of the CommandManager.
Typewriter
Feature names and file names appear in this style. For example, Sketch1.
17 Do this step
Use of Color
Meaning
Double lines precede and follow sections of the procedures. This provides separation between the steps of the procedure and large blocks of explanatory text. The steps themselves are numbered in sans serif bold.
The SolidWorks user interface makes extensive use of color to highlight selected geometry and to provide you with visual feedback. This greatly increases the intuitiveness and ease of use of the SolidWorks software. To take maximum advantage of this, the training manuals are printed in full color. Also, in many cases, we have used additional color in the illustrations to communicate concepts, identify features, and otherwise convey important information. For example, we might show the result of a filleting operation with the fillets in a different color, even though by default, the SolidWorks software would not display the results in that way.
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SolidWorks 2012
The SolidWorks software sets a new standard with best-in-class graphics. The combination of a highly reflective material and the realism of RealView Graphics is an effective tool for evaluating the quality of advanced part models and surfaces.
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e
Graphics and Graphics Cards
Introduction
RealView Graphics is hardware
(graphics card) support of advanced shading in real time. For example, if you rotate a part, it retains its rendered appearance throughout the rotation.
Color Schemes
Out of the box, the SolidWorks software provides several predefined color schemes that control, among other things, the colors used for highlighted items, selected items, sketch relation symbols, and shaded previews of features. We have not used the same color scheme for every case study and exercise because some colors are more visible and clear than others when used with different colored parts.
In addition, we have changed the viewport background to plain white so that the illustrations reproduce better on white paper.
As a result, because the color settings on your computer may be different than the ones used by the authors of this book, the images you see on your screen may not exactly match those in the book.
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PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e Introduction
6
SolidWorks 2012
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e Lesson 1 Top-Down Assembly Modeling
Upon successful completion of this lesson, you will be able to: I
Build a virtual part in the context of an assembly by employing Top-Down assembly modeling techniques.
I
Create features in the assembly context by referencing geometry in mating parts.
I
Remove external references from a copied part.
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Lesson 1
SolidWorks 2012
Top-Down Assembly Modeling
This lesson begins with an assembly called Machine_Vise. Using geometry from the existing Base1 part, the new parts Jaw_Plate and Sliding_Jaw will be created. Relationships will be established between the parts when the new features are created.
Stages in the Process
The major stages in the process are listed below:
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Top-Down Assembly Modeling
I
Adding new parts into an assembly
When you create a new part in an assembly, you get a default name and select a plane (or planar face). The name is used as the temporary part name while the plane orients the Front reference plane of the new part.
I
Building parts in an assembly
As the new part is created, the selected plane/face becomes the active sketch and the part is in Edit Part mode. The part is created using standard methods and references to other geometry in the assembly.
I
Creating in-context features
When you reference geometry in other parts while creating a feature, you are creating what is called an in-context feature. For example, referencing the edge of a shaft when making its mating hole in another part creates a relationship between the shaft and the hole. A change to the diameter of the shaft would cause a corresponding change to the diameter of the hole.
Alternatively, you can change the setting Do not create references external to the model in Tools, Options, External References, and the new feature or part will not be created with any external references. Converted geometry is simply duplicated in this case, with no constraint. No dimensions or relations to other components or assembly geometry can be added.
Note
I
Breaking external references
In-context parts and features create many external references. To break these references and keep the part intact, several techniques are used.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 1 Top-Down Assembly Modeling
Parts can be created and built from within the assembly. These parts can be inserted into the assembly as new parts and built using converted edges, offset edges, and standard techniques. They are called Virtual parts. The Jaw_Plate will be created in this manner.
Design Intent:
The design intent of this part is listed below.
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Building Virtual Parts
Jaw_Plate
I I
A Note of Caution
It will always be flush with the matching mounting flange face of Base1. It does not move.
One of the things to consider before deciding to model a part in the context of an assembly is where that part will be used. In-context features and parts are best used for “one-of-a-kind” parts that will only be used in the assembly where they are modeled. Parts that will be used in more than one assembly should probably not be modeled in-context. The reason for this is that external references are created by in-context features. If a virtual or in-context part is to be reused in other assemblies, it is possible, with some work, to make a copy of the part and remove all of the external references. The procedure for doing this will be discussed later in this lesson. Again, the part can also be created by purposely borrowing geometry but with no external references created, as noted earlier.
1
Open an assembly file. Open Machine_Vise from the Lesson01\Case Study
folder.
It contains two components that constitute the base of a vise.
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Lesson 1
SolidWorks 2012
Top-Down Assembly Modeling
New parts can be added to an assembly as needed. These new parts can be created in the context of the assembly, using the geometry and locations of existing parts to build upon. They will appear in the FeatureManager design tree as component parts, with a full listing of their features. By default, these parts are Virtual Components, saved in the assembly file. Click Tools, Options, System Options, Assemblies and toggle Save new components to external files to change this behavior.
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Adding a New Part into an Assembly
Introducing: Insert Component
Insert, Component, New Part creates a new part and component in
Where to Find It
I
the assembly. The new part is named and then mated to a plane or planar face of an existing part in the assembly. CommandManager: Assembly > Insert Components
> New
Part
I
Results of Insert, Component, New Part
Menu: Insert, Component, New Part
When a new part is inserted into an assembly, several things happen: I I
I I I I I
The new part is created. The new part appears in the FeatureManager design tree as a component of the assembly. The name is supplied by SolidWorks and is within brackets [Part1^Assem1]. The Front reference plane of the new part is made coincident with the face or plane that you selected. You are switched into Edit Part mode. A new sketch is opened on the selected face. A new mate, named InPlace1, is added fully defining the component. The part is internal to the assembly by default.
Default Template
Since this command creates a new part document, you have the option of specifying a template or allowing the system to use the default template. This choice is determined by means of Tools, Options, System Options, Default Templates.
Edit Component
While you are in an assembly, you can switch between editing the assembly — adding mate relations, inserting components, etc. — and editing a specific part or component. Editing a part while in the context of an assembly enables you to take advantage of geometry and dimensions of other components while creating matching or related features. Using geometry outside the part creates External References and In-context Features. Two commands, Edit Component and Edit Assembly, switch back and forth between editing one component in an assembly and editing the assembly itself. When you are in edit part mode, you have access to all the commands and functionality from the part modeling portion of SolidWorks. Plus, you have access to other geometry in the assembly.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 1 Top-Down Assembly Modeling
Where to Find It
I
CommandManager: Select the component to edit and click
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e
Assembly > Edit Component I
Shortcut Menu: Right-click the component to edit and click Edit Part or Edit Assembly
In an assembly, both parts and sub-assemblies are considered components. When selecting a sub-assembly specifically, the right mouse button menu will say Edit Component, not Edit Part. The two terms will be used interchangeably here.
Note
Indicators that you are in Edit Component mode include the status bar which reads Editing Part, and the window banner that states Name of Part -in- Name of Assembly.
2
Virtual parts. Click Options , System Options, Assemblies and clear Save new components to external files to create virtual parts.
3
Insert a new part.
Click New Part . A new cursor a plane or planar face.
4
appears when the cursor is over
Face selection.
Select the planar face of Base1.
Virtual Parts
The names assigned to new parts include braces surrounding the names. This indicates an virtual part and is done automatically for all new parts created in-context to offer you the flexibility to easily discard parts that you don’t want and not be concerned about naming as you work. I I
Renaming - Right-click the part and click Rename Part to set the
name of the part. Saving - Right-click the part and click Save Part (in External File) to save the part to a true part file (*.sldprt) outside the assembly. Saving the assembly will generate the same option.
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SolidWorks 2012
Top-Down Assembly Modeling
Inserted part.
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e
5
Since the new part is empty, the only evidence of it are the features in the tree. Automatically, you are creating a new sketch in the new part. The sketch plane is the plane or planar face you selected. The color of the part’s FeatureManager design tree text is changed to indicate that the part is being edited. Right-click the part and click Rename Part. Change the name to Jaw_Plate.
Note
Parts created in-context, such as this one, automatically receive a single mate named Inplace1.
Appearance of Components While Editing
When you edit a part in the context of the assembly, the color of the component you edit depends on a setting in Tools, Options, System Options, Colors. If set to Use specified colors when editing parts in assemblies, the edited part will be the Assembly, Edit Part color (royal blue by default). This color can be customized on the same tab. The appearance of the other components depends on the assembly transparency settings you choose.
Introducing: Change Assembly Transparency
The transparency of components that are not being edited can be set to one of three conditions: I
I
I
Opaque assembly. All components become opaque gray, except for the component you are editing, which becomes the Assembly, Edit Part color. Maintain assembly transparency. All components maintain
whatever their current transparency is, except for the one you are editing, which becomes the Assembly, Edit Part color. Force assembly transparency. All components become transparent except the one you are editing, which becomes the Assembly, Edit Part color.
Note
Use the slider to adjust the transparency level for Force assembly transparency. When you move the slider to the right, the components become more transparent.
Where to Find It
I I
12
Menu Bar: Options ,System Options, Display/Selection, Assembly transparency for in context edit CommandManager: Features > Assembly Transparency
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 1 Top-Down Assembly Modeling
Usually the cursor selects whichever geometry is in front. However, in an assembly with transparent components, the cursor selects geometry on the opaque components first, even if transparent components are in front.
Note
For purposes of selection, transparent means more than 10 percent transparent. Components with less than 10 percent transparency are considered opaque.
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e
How Transparency Affects Selecting Geometry
There are some techniques you can use to control how you select geometry: I
I I I
6
Click Assembly Transparency, and select Opaque. Now all geometry is treated the same and the cursor selects whichever entity is in front. Press Shift to select geometry on a transparent component when there is an opaque component behind it. Press Tab to select the part you are editing through an opaque component. Use Select Other to select faces that are obscured by other faces.
Opaque. Click Assembly Transparency and set the display to Opaque. Also, click Options , System Options, Colors and click Use specified colors when editing parts in assemblies.
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Lesson 1
SolidWorks 2012
Top-Down Assembly Modeling
When building parts in context of the assembly, you can take advantage of other parts that exist. You can copy geometry, offset from it, add sketch relations to it, or simply measure to it. In this example, geometry from Base1 creates Jaw_Plate.
Common Tools
When you build parts in the context of the assembly, sketching is just like it is in part mode with the added benefit that you can see and reference the geometry of the surrounding parts. You will use Convert Entities and Offset Entities as well as dimensions to geometry.
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e
Building Parts in an Assembly
7
Convert Entities.
Select the same face selected for the new part and click Convert Entities . This will convert all of the outer edges of the face to new sketch segments in our sketch. Each has an On Edge relation.
8
Extrude boss.
Extrude a boss to a blind thickness of 5mm.
9
Edit assembly.
Toggle off editing the component. Right-click and click Edit Assembly: Machine_Vise.
10 Save the files. Click Save . Click Save All in the Save Modified Documents dialog box. The Save As dialog then states:
This assembly contains unsaved virtual components which must be saved.
Click the option Save internally (inside the assembly) and click OK.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 1 Top-Down Assembly Modeling
11 New part.
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e
Insert another new part using the face of Base2 shown.
12 Convert edges. Use Convert Edges on
the sketch face. Remove some geometry and drag open ends as shown.
13 Complete sketch.
Use offsets, lines, dimensions, and relations to complete the sketch.
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Lesson 1
SolidWorks 2012
Top-Down Assembly Modeling
14 Extrusion.
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e
Extrude the sketch 25mm as shown.
15 Edit assembly.
Toggle off editing the component by clicking Edit Assembly.
16 Rename part.
Right-click the part and click Rename Part. Change the name to Sliding_Jaw.
17 Save the files.
Save the parts internally.
In-Context Features
In-context Features create geometry in the active part by sketching
Note
A Through All cut only affects the part being edited.
on, converting, offsetting or dimensioning to, geometry in other component parts. The feature that is created is called an In-context Feature, a feature with external references. In this example, Sliding_Jaw will be edited to match the other end of the vise.
18 Hide component. Hide Jaw_Plate.
We do this because we want to use the geometry of Base1 for a new feature in Sliding_Jaw.
Note
16
We can use the geometry of Jaw_Plate for the new feature in Sliding_Jaw because it is the correct shape but this is not good practice. It is better to reference the original component, Base1. It is always best to reference the original component rather than another component that uses the geometry of the original component.
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 1 Top-Down Assembly Modeling
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e
19 Edit component. Right-click Sliding_Jaw and click Edit Part . Sketch on the outer face of Sliding_Jaw and use Convert Entities on the opposite face of Base1. Extrude 10mm as shown.
20 Offset Entities.
Start a sketch on the front face of Sliding_Jaw (select the face through the hole). Use an offset of 2mm from the hole in Base2 and create a Through All cut.
21 Edit assembly.
Toggle off editing the component by clicking Edit Assembly.
Note
Using a Through All cut does not cut Base1 because it applies only to the part being edited.
17
Lesson 1
SolidWorks 2012
Top-Down Assembly Modeling
Much of the construction required for a part can be done without the overhead of the assembly. Those features that do not require in-context references can be completed within the framework of the part document.
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e
Working Outside the Assembly
22 Open a part file. Right-click Sliding_Jaw and click Open Part . Add a 2mm fillet to
the edges shown.
23 Offset. Offset 3mm from the edge of the
in-context circular cut and create another cut 5mm deep as shown.
24 Sketch.
Create a sketch for a boss feature from the existing geometry including an offset of 4mm.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 1 Top-Down Assembly Modeling
25 Extrude.
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e
Extrude the sketch Up To Surface.
Note
You can change the color of Sliding_Jaw or any other part to distinguish it from the other parts.
26 Return to the assembly.
Save and close the part to return to the assembly. Click Yes to rebuild the assembly and show Jaw_Plate.
27 Insert component. Click Insert Components and insert Vise_Screw into the assembly. Add a Concentric mate between the shaft and the hole in Base2. Add a Coincident mate between the two faces shown.
Note
You can combine top-down and bottom-up assembly modeling in this manner. You do not have to create every component in-context once you start creating one component in that manner.
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Lesson 1
SolidWorks 2012
Top-Down Assembly Modeling
28 Instance.
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Add an instance of Jaw_Plate to the assembly and mate it to Sliding_Jaw as shown.
Propagating Changes
Automatically propagating changes is one of the strongest qualities of the in-context feature. In the next portion of this lesson, we will explore how a change to Base1 will affect other parts that reference its geometry. Changes to Base1 will be transferred to Jaw_Plate and Sliding_Jaw through propagation of changes.
29 Changes.
Double-click the Extrude1 feature of Base1 and change the indicated dimension value from 70mm to 90mm. Do not rebuild the assembly yet. Double-click the Extrude2 feature of Base1 and change the indicated dimension value from 45mm to 65mm.
65
90
30 Rebuild.
Rebuild and notice that Jaw_Plate and Sliding_Jaw update to the new dimensions of Base1.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 1 Top-Down Assembly Modeling
In-context parts saved internally can be saved to external part files at any time. Virtual parts do not have their own files, they are included in the assembly file.
Where to Find It
I
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Saving Virtual Parts as External
Shortcut Menu: Right-click one or more virtual parts and click Save Part (in External File).
31 Save external.
Select all of the virtual parts in the FeatureManager design tree. Right-click the virtual parts and click Save Part (in External File). Select all of them and click Same As Assembly for each one. Click OK.
32 Symbols.
Each part is now a true part file (*.sldprt), external to the assembly. Note that the brackets ([]) have been removed but the arrows (->) remain. The arrow indicates that the part contains External References, references to geometry outside the part itself.
InPlace Mates
The InPlace mates created automatically for in-context parts are there to prevent movement of the part. This is because the in-context part is attached to geometry of parts in the assembly through external references, references that cross between parts at the assembly level. Changing the location of the part can cause changes to the geometry that may not be desired. The effect of external references are explained in the next section, External References on page 22. The preferred method of removing them from parts is explained in Removing External References on page 27.
Replacing InPlace Mates
InPlace mates can be removed using Delete, and the part can be re-
mated using standard mate techniques, optionally leaving a degree of freedom for movement. Generally this works best if the face selected for the InPlace mate is perpendicular to the direction of motion.
21
Lesson 1
SolidWorks 2012
Top-Down Assembly Modeling
When you delete an InPlace mate, a warning message appears after the confirmation dialog:
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Deleting InPlace Mates
The base sketch of the part located by the InPlace mate contains references to other entities in the assembly. These references may update in unexpected ways after this mate is deleted, because the part will no longer be positioned relative to the assembly. Would you like to remove these references now? (No geometry will be deleted.)
If you click No, the InPlace mate is removed and the relations remain, including the externally referenced ones.
If you click Yes, the InPlace mate is removed and all externally referenced relations are removed. These options can be useful with Removing External References on page 27.
External References
External References create and maintain relations between parts at
the assembly level. They are commonly sketch relations, but they can also be created as sketch planes or other geometric features.
When they are working properly, external references are considered incontext. When they cannot work properly they are considered out of context and cannot update properly.
Out of Context
Jaw_Plate was modeled in the context of the assembly. It is able to
work properly and change through propagation of changes only while the assembly is open. We will display this behavior in this section.
22
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 1 Top-Down Assembly Modeling
Save and close the files.
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1 2
Open a part file. Open Jaw_Plate. Because the assembly is not open, Jaw_Plate is out
of context. Therefore, any changes to Base1 are not able to propagate to Jaw_Plate. Changes to Base1 propagate through the assembly to Jaw_Plate. The assembly must be open for this to occur.
Look at the external reference symbols. You will see the notation “->?” appended to the Boss-Extrude feature and its sketch. The ? indicates that the external reference is out of context.
Putting a Part Back Into Context
To put an out-of-context part back into context, open the externally referenced document. There is an easy way to do this.
Introducing: Edit In Context
Edit In Context automatically opens the document that is referenced
Where to Find It
I
by an external reference. This is quite a time saver because you do not have to query the feature to identify the referenced file, browse to locate it, and then open it manually.
3
Shortcut Menu: Right-click a feature with an external reference and click Edit In Context
Edit In Context. Right-click the Boss-Extrude feature and click Edit In Context. The
assembly is selected by the reference and opens. The references are back in context as indicated by the -> symbol in the FeatureManager design tree of the assembly.
Breaking External References
The external references established by creating parts and features incontext remain with the part. Changes to the part will appear everywhere that the part is used; assemblies and drawings. By the same token, changes to parts that it references will also cause it to change. The flow of changes can be stopped temporarily or permanently using the Lock/Unlock and Break options.
If you want to reuse the in-context part in another assembly, or use it as the starting point for a similar design or apply motion, you should remove the external references. By copying and editing the in-context part, you can create a duplicate part that is not tied to the assembly.
23
Lesson 1
SolidWorks 2012
Top-Down Assembly Modeling
When the List External References dialog is active, there are options available to Lock All or Break All references. These options allow you to change the relationship between the in-context part and referenced files.
Lock All
The Lock All button locks or freezes the references until they are unlocked at a later date using Unlock All. These changes are reversible after OK is clicked. Until the references are unlocked, changes will not propagate to the part.
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Breaking and Locking External References
When Lock All is selected, SolidWorks displays a message:
All external references of the model “Jaw_Plate” will be locked. You will not be able to add any new external references until you unlock the existing references.
The FeatureManager design tree lists the locked references with “->*” symbols. Using Unlock All later will restore the original symbols.
Break All
The Break All button breaks all references with the controlling files. Clicking the button launches a message that indicates the change is not reversible after OK is clicked. When Break All is selected, SolidWorks displays a message:
All external references of the model “Jaw_Plate” will be broken. You will not be able to activate these references again.
The FeatureManager design tree lists the broken references with “->x” symbols. Changes will no longer propagate to the part.
Tip
You can hide the “->x” symbols. Click Tools, Options, System Options, External References, and clear Show “x” in feature tree for broken external references.
Once the references are broken, they can only be listed using the List Broken References check box in the List External References dialog.
Important!
Break All does not remove the external references. It simply breaks them, and once broken, they can never be fixed. Because Break All is irreversible, you should use Lock All in almost all situations.
To learn how to remove external references, see Removing External References starting on page 27.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 1 Top-Down Assembly Modeling
List External References.
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4
One way to determine whether the feature or the sketch (or both) have external references is to list them. Right-click Jaw_Plate in the FeatureManager design tree and click List External Refs. The dialog below appears.
External Reference Report
This dialog lists the following information: I
Assembly — The assembly in which the external reference was
created.
I I I I
I
Feature — Each feature or sketch in the model that contains an
external reference. Data — What type of relation or selection was made to create the external reference. Status — Whether the feature is in or out of context. Referenced Entity — The name of the selected edge, face, plane or loop used to generate the external reference. The syntax also lists the part in which the entity exists. Silhouette Edge of motor means that it is an edge in the first instance of the motor component. Feature’s Component — The component in which the external reference exists.
In this case, there are many external references
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Lesson 1
SolidWorks 2012
Top-Down Assembly Modeling
Lock All. Click Lock All and click OK. The Status changes to Locked for the
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5
feature.
The locked external reference is indicated in the FeatureManager design tree by ->*.
6
Note
Unlock. Click Unlock All to return to the normal setting and click OK.
Do not confuse the command List External References with File, Find References. In a part document, the command File, Find References only lists the name of externally referenced documents, if they exist. It does not provide feature, data, status, entity, or component information. For example, File, Find References would tell you this: I I
26
The referenced part document for a part created using Base Part or Mirror Part. The assembly document for any part with in-context references. This includes a part created using Derive Component Part, or a part that has a cavity or join feature, or a part that has been edited in the context of an assembly to reference the geometry of other components.
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 1 Top-Down Assembly Modeling
Options like Lock All are useful to interrupt the flow of changes to an in-context part, but the best way to stop the changes permanently is to use File, Save As with the Save As Copy option to copy the part and remove the references.
Why Remove External References?
When parts are built in-context, like Sliding_Jaw, they contain references. If mates are removed or in-context parts are used in other assemblies (out of context), unexpected changes could occur. Here are some reasons why you might remove external references.
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Removing External References
I
Component Movement The InPlace mate prevents movement and although it can be
removed, the features remain in-context.
I
Re-use of Data
Component parts can generally be used in multiple assemblies. If a part contains in-context references, they must be removed prior to out of context use.
Procedure
In this section, the external references will be removed from a copy of the part so that it can be changed as a totally independent part, and potentially used in another, unrelated assembly, without any effect on the original assembly.
Tip
Another way to prevent changes is to save the part file to another format such as IGES or STEP. Opening that neutral file in SolidWorks creates an imported solid without features that cannot be easily changed.
1
Save a copy of the component. Right-click Sliding_Jaw and click Open Part . Click File, Save As. The message box tells you that Save As will replace the original document with the new one in the assembly, while Save as copy will
not.
This dialog appears only when the referenced document (the assembly) is open.
Note
2
Save as copy.
Save a copy of the part as Free_Sliding_Jaw. Make sure to check the Save as copy option. Click Save.
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Lesson 1
SolidWorks 2012
Top-Down Assembly Modeling
3
Derived Features.
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Save and close the current documents and open Free_Sliding_Jaw. Look at the FeatureManager design tree to check for external references. You will see the notation “->?” appended to many of the features and sketches, denoting an external reference that is out of context.
In this case, the Save as copy has broken the update capability of the part but the features remain in referenced state.
To “free” this part, each of the flagged features and sketches must be edited to remove the reference and have the ability to change independently. Note that in some cases, only the sketch is derived, not the feature itself. In these cases, both the sketch and the related feature will display the marker.
Editing the Features
It is all well and good that the external references are not active through the copy. However, what happens when we want to change the dimensions of the features in the Free_Sliding_Jaw? For example, there are no dimensions which define the size of the base feature. How can we change the Free_Sliding_Jaw?
All features that contain the “->?” symbol can be edited to change the way in which the geometry is constrained. Although the relationships have been broken, the geometry is still created using part references. These references can be removed by editing sketches and features in the part, which has the effect of changing the design intent of the features.
Starting with the last feature first and working up the FeatureManager design tree typically prevents rebuild errors because you fix the child features before the parent features. The features will be worked in this order: I I I
28
Cut-Extrude1 Boss-Extrude2 Boss-Extrude1
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 1 Top-Down Assembly Modeling
Different features require different approaches. Here are some common types:
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Strategies for Features
I
I I I I
Sketch Relations - Remove external references in sketch relations and dimensions by deleting them with Display/Delete Relations. Replace them manually or use Fully Define Sketch. Derived Sketches - Break the link between a derived sketch and its parent sketch by using Underive. Sketch Planes - Replace sketch planes referencing external geometry using Edit Sketch Plane. Extrusions - Extruded features that use Up To Surface or Offset From Surface are replaced with Blind using the same distance. Assembly Features - The nature of assembly features is that they
typically exist only in the assembly. One approach is to copy the necessary geometry into the part then delete the assembly feature. Another approach is to edit the assembly feature and select Propagate feature to parts to add the feature to the part file for each affected component.
Geometry created by Convert Entities or Offset Entities base their location and orientation strictly on the edges being referenced. When the Offset or On Edge relations are removed, the geometry does not contain other relations such as tangency, horizontal, vertical or collinear.
Geometry From Offset and Convert
4
Sketches.
Sketches are often the primary source of external references. If any sketch in a feature has an external reference, that feature will receive the marker (->). Type sk in the filter to view all the sketches in the part.
5
Edit sketch.
Edit Sketch3 from the Cut-Extrude1 feature. The sketch contains an offset.
6
Delete the offset dimension.
A message appears:
Deleting the offset dimension will remove the offset relations from the sketch geometry. Do you want to continue?
Click Yes.
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Lesson 1
SolidWorks 2012
Top-Down Assembly Modeling
7
Dimension.
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Add a dimension and a concentric relation to fully define the sketch. Exit the sketch.
Note that the “->?” symbol no longer appears for the sketch in the FeatureManager design tree.
Another method for dealing with relations is to use Delete All followed by Fully Define Sketch. Delete All removes all relations in the sketch and Fully Define Sketch adds back relations and dimensions that can be inferred due to the position of the geometry relative to the origin.
Delete All and Fully Define Sketch
8
30
Edit sketch. Edit Sketch2 of Boss-Extrude2. Using Display/Delete Relations delete all relations. Click Fully Define Sketch with Relations and Dimensions checked and click OK.
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 1 Top-Down Assembly Modeling
9
Edit dimensions.
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Although the sketch is fully defined, there are some changes that can simplify the dimension scheme. Delete, drag and change dimensions and geometry to get the result shown. Exit the sketch.
10 Fully Define Sketch. Edit Sketch1 of the Boss-Extrude1 feature
and delete all the relations. Add a centerline from the midpoint of the lower line as shown. Rightclick Fully Define Sketch and set the options. Click OK.
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Lesson 1
SolidWorks 2012
Top-Down Assembly Modeling
11 Under defined.
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A message appears to say that the sketch is not fully defined. This is due to the fact that the geometry is not related or dimensioned to the sketch origin. Click OK to dismiss the message.
12 Fully define. Click View, Origins.
Add a coincident relation between the sketch origin and the midpoint of the line. Exit the sketch.
13 Save and close the files.
The part is now free of external reference symbols.
Using Parts with Broken References
32
After external references have been removed, the components can be used in other assemblies without concerns of unexpected updates.
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 1 Top-Down Assembly Modeling
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14 Open an assembly file. Open Free_Machine_Vise from the Lesson01\Case Study folder.
None of the components in this assembly have any in-context references.
15 Screw mate. Click Mate and Mechanical Mates. Click Screw , and 0.5 Revolutions/mm. Select the cylindrical face of Free_Vise_Screw and the internal cylindrical face of Free_Base using Select Other. Click OK.
Drag Free_Vise_Screw to open or close the vise.
Note
For more information on mates, see Mechanical Mate Types on page 85.
16 Save and close the files.
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Lesson 1
SolidWorks 2012
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Top-Down Assembly Modeling
34
SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 1 Top-Down Assembly Modeling
Create this part by using existing geometry in the assembly TOP DOWN ASSY.
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Exercise 1: Top-Down Assembly Modeling
This lab uses the following skills: I I I I
Top-Down Assembly Modeling on page 7 Building Virtual Parts on page 9 Common Tools on page 14 Saving Virtual Parts as External on page 21
Units: mm
Design Intent
The design intent for this part is as follows:
1. Cover Plate must relate to inner contour of Main Body. 2. Cover Plate must relate to OD on Ratchet. 3. Cover Plate must relate to OD on Wheel.
Part Design
Use the following graphics with the design intent to determine the shape and relationships within the part. The clearances are:
Cover Plate to Main Body = 0.20mm Cover Plate to Ratchet = 0.10mm
Cover Plate to Wheel = 0.10mm
Wheel
Saving the Component
Ratchet
Save the Cover Plate as an external file using the same name.
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Exercise 2
SolidWorks 2012
In-context Features
Add these in-context features using the information and dimensions provided. This lab reinforces the following skills:
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Exercise 2: In-context Features
I I
Edit Component on page 10 In-Context Features on page 16
Units: mm
Note
The Pipe component is already properly positioned in the assembly. However, there is no corresponding flange on Oil Pan. Your task is to model the flange holes as in-context features.
Design Intent
The design intent for this assembly and its part is as follows:
1. The flange on the Pipe creates the extruded shape of the corresponding flange on Oil Pan. Use 3° of draft. 2. The fillet radius is 2mm. 3. The holes for the bolts and pipe pass through the flange and the wall thickness on the Oil Pan.
Part Design
Two component parts make up the Oil Pan Assy assembly. Use Edit Part to add features to Oil Pan in context using geometry. The features form the pipe connection. Oil Pan Assy is found in the folder named InContextFeatures.
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PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e Lesson 2 Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners
Upon successful completion of this lesson, you will be able to: I
Add features in the assembly.
I
Insert hardware using Smart Fasteners.
37
Lesson 2
SolidWorks 2012
Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners
Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners
This lesson starts with an assembly similar to the one you created in the previous lesson. Your task is to add features and hardware to attach the Jaw_Plate components to the other components in the assembly.
Stages in the Process
The major stages in the process are listed below:
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Jaw_Plate
I
Creating a new Hole Series assembly feature.
You add a hole that starts with a countersunk hole in Jaw_Plate and finishes with a bottom tapped hole in Base1.
I
Adding holes using an existing Hole Series feature. You add through holes in Sliding_Jaw using the size and position of the holes in Jaw_Plate as a guide.
I
Adding hardware into the holes.
You add screws, washers, and nuts to the assembly using Smart Fasteners. Smart Fasteners automatically determine the best fastener based on the hole type and size.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 2 Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners
An assembly feature is a feature which exists only in the assembly. Assembly features can be holes, cuts, fillets, chamfers, or weld beads. An assembly cut feature is intended to cut selected components after they are mated in the assembly. Assembly features often represent post-assembly machining operations. They can also create section-type views of an assembly by cutting away part or all of selected components. Some specifics about assembly features are: I Assembly features typically exist only at the assembly level. There are two exception to this. The Hole Series feature always propagates to the part level and other assembly features can appear in the part by clicking Propagate feature to parts in the PropertyManager of the assembly feature. I Visibility of assembly features can be controlled using configurations. I The sketch used by the assembly feature can be sketched on any plane or face in the assembly. I The sketches can contain multiple closed profiles. I An assembly feature pattern can in turn be patterned.
Where to Find It
I
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Assembly Features
I
CommandManager: Assembly > Assembly Features Menu: Insert, Assembly Feature
Note
This lesson uses Hole Series assembly features. For an example of another type of assembly feature, see The Hole Wizard on page 175.
Hole Series
The Hole Series is a special case of assembly feature that creates hole features in the individual components of the assembly. A Hole Series extends through each unsuppressed component in the assembly that intersects the axis of the hole (the components do not have to touch). Unlike other assembly features, the holes exist in the individual parts as externally referenced features (in-context). If you edit a Hole Series within the assembly, the individual parts are modified. Some specifics about Hole Series holes are: I I I I I
Hole Series holes exist at the assembly level and part level (unlike
other assembly features). The sketch used by the Hole Series can be sketched on any plane or face in the assembly. Hole Series uses a limited set of end conditions: Through All, Up To Next, Up to Surface, and Offset from Surface are available. A Hole Series can not be created by using the standard Hole Wizard. The resulting hole(s) can be edited using Edit Feature, but only at the assembly level. This propagates changes to all of the parts in the hole series.
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Lesson 2
SolidWorks 2012
Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners
An existing Hole Wizard hole may be used as the seed for a Hole Series. Different hole sizes can be set for the first part, the last part, and all parts that are cut between them.
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I I
First part
Middle parts
Last part
The Hole Series wizard is made up of five tabs that define the location, shape and behavior of the holes.
Hole Series Wizard
I I I
I I
Where to Find It
I
- Place points to locate hole centers. First Part - Define the parameters of the start hole. Middle Parts - Define the parameters of the hole between the first and last parts. Last Part - Define the parameters of the end hole. Smart Fasteners - Insert Smart Fasteners into the hole series. This tab is available only if you install and activate SolidWorks Toolbox. Positions
CommandManager: Assembly > Assembly Features Series
I
1
Menu: Insert, Assembly Feature, Hole, Hole Series
Open an assembly file. Open Machine_Vise from the Lesson02\Case Study folder. This is
similar to the assembly you created in the previous lesson.
40
> Hole
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 2 Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners
2
Hole series.
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Select the face of Jaw_Plate and click Hole Series .
3
Hole position.
On the Hole Position new hole.
tab, select Create
Add sketch points for the center of both holes. Add dimensions and a Symmetric relation about a centerline to fully define the sketch.
4
First part.
Click the First Part I I I I
5
tab and set:
Hole Type: CounterSink Standard: Ansi Metric Screw Type: Flat Head Screw Hole Size: M5
Middle parts.
Click the Middle Parts tab and select Auto size based on start hole. In this example, there are only first and last parts.
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Lesson 2
SolidWorks 2012
Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners
6
Last part.
tab and set:
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Click the Last Part I I I I
Hole Type: Straight Tap Screw Type: Bottoming Tapped Hole Hole Size: M5x0.8 Blind Hole Depth: Tap Drill 10mm
Click OK to add the holes.
7
Section view.
Use a Section View to see the results. Notice that the holes cut Jaw_Plate and Base1. Turn off the section view.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 2 Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners
FeatureManager design tree. The result of the Hole Series is a feature
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8
in the assembly that adds hole features in each of the parts.
9
Review the part.
Right-click Jaw_Plate and click Open Part . Notice that the holes appear in the part. Also notice the CSK for M5 Flat Head Machine Screw feature in the FeatureManager design tree. Save and close Jaw_Plate to return to the assembly.
10 Review another component.
Rotate the assembly to review Jaw_Plate, the other instance of the component. Notice that the holes exist in this instance, too, because the holes exist in the part.
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Lesson 2
SolidWorks 2012
Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners
The Assembly Feature is one of several time dependent features. These features update after the components in the assembly in sequence.
Types of TimeDependent Features
Some time dependent features are:
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Time-Dependent Features
I I I I I
Assembly features In-context features and parts Assembly-dependent reference geometry (planes or axes) Assembly-dependent sketch geometry Component patterns
Mates to TimeDependent Features
When you mate a component to a time-dependent feature, the component can only be positioned after the time-dependent feature has been updated.
Best Practice
It is good practice to only mate to time-dependent features when that is the only way you can achieve the design intent of the assembly. You can edit the positions of the components with more flexibility when time-dependent features are not involved because then the order in which the mates are evaluated does not matter.
Parent/Child Relationships
Components, like features in a part, have Parent/Child relationships. The simplest bottom-up component will have only the mate group as a child. Other components that are acted upon by assembly features will have those features as children.
Find References
Find References can extract the exact locations of component part and
assembly files. The listing provides a full path name for each reference used. The Copy files... button can copy the files to another, common, directory.
Reorder and Rollback
You can reorder many features in the assembly FeatureManager design tree. Items such as assembly planes, axes, sketches, and mates within the mate group, can be reordered. Default reference planes, the assembly origin and the default mate group cannot be reordered. You can also reorder components thereby controlling the order in which they appear in the Bill of Materials. Rollback can move among time dependent features. Rolling back
before the mate group suppresses the mate group and all components controlled by it.
Hole Series with an Existing Hole
The Hole Series is a useful tool to create holes using existing holes as a guide. The Use existing hole(s) option creates matching holes when the hole in the First Part is already there. In this lesson, there is already a set of holes in Jaw_Plate, created in the first instance. Next, you add matching holes to Sliding_Jaw without adding more holes to Jaw_Plate.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 2 Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners
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11 Hole series.
Select the face of Sliding_Jaw as shown and click Hole Series . You can use Select Other or select the face through one of the holes in Jaw_Plate.
Face on Sliding_Jaw (Jaw_Plate hidden for clarity)
12 Hole position.
On the Hole Position tab, select Use existing hole(s). Select one of the countersunk faces in the holes on Jaw_Plate to select the existing holes.
13 First and middle. The First Part and Middle Parts steps are predefined based on the
existing hole.
14 Last part.
Click the Last Part I I I
tab and set:
Hole Type: Hole Auto size based on start hole End Condition: Through All
Click OK to add the holes.
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Lesson 2
SolidWorks 2012
Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners
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15 Review the part. Right-click Sliding_Jaw and click Open Part . Notice that the
holes appear in the part. Also notice the M5 Clearance Hole feature in the FeatureManager design tree.
Save and close Sliding_Jaw to return to the assembly.
16 Save the file.
Save but do not close the assembly.
Smart Fasteners
Fastener Defaults
Smart Fasteners automatically adds fasteners (for example, bolts and
screws) to your assembly if there is a hole or pattern of holes that is sized to accept standard hardware. Smart Fasteners uses the SolidWorks Toolbox library of fasteners, which has a large variety of ANSI Inch, Metric and other standard hardware. You can also add custom designs to the Toolbox database for use with Smart Fasteners.
The length of a new fastener for a blind hole is the next shorter national standard length. For a through hole, it is the next longer national standard length. When holes are deeper than the longest fastener length, the longest one is used. Hole Wizard or Hole Series holes have the most intelligence, and are
fitted with matching bolts or screws. For other types of holes, you can configure Smart Fasteners to add any type of bolt or screw as the default. The fasteners are automatically mated to the holes with Concentric and Coincident mates.
Introducing: Smart Fasteners
Smart Fasteners adds fasteners to available hole features in
Where to Find It
I
assemblies. The holes can be assembly or part features. You can add fasteners to specific holes or patterns, faces or components (all the holes in the selected face or component), or to all available holes.
I
46
CommandManager: Assembly > Smart Fasteners Menu: Insert, Smart Fasteners
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 2 Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e
17 Smart Fasteners. Click Smart Fasteners
.
18 Add.
Select the planar face of Jaw_Plate then click Add.
Smart Fasteners recognizes both holes on the planar face as identical CSK for M5 Flat Head Machine Screw holes, and will populate them at the same time.
19 Sizing.
The fastener appears in the Results list in the PropertyManager and “previews” of the fasteners appear in the holes. The label shows the current size and can be used to change it.
20 Settings. Click Auto size to hole diameter and use the
default settings for the remaining options. Click OK.
21 Results.
Two screws are inserted into the holes. A SmartFastener folder appears in the FeatureManager design tree containing the two screws.
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Lesson 2
SolidWorks 2012
Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners
The Hole Wizard/Toolbox settings determine variables including Default Fasteners and Automatic Fastener Changes. For holes created with the Hole Wizard or as Hole Series, the fastener type is set in the dialog by the Hole Standard, Type and Fastener. For holes created in other ways, such as internal contours in a boss, extruded cuts and revolved cuts, the physical size determines a reasonable fastener diameter.
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Smart Fasteners Settings
Where to Find It
48
I
Menu Bar: Click Options , System Options, Hole Wizard/ Toolbox and click Configure, Configure Smart Fasteners
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 2 Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners
The Series Components of a Hole Series allow you to change the Fastener Type, and add Top and Bottom Stack components as you create the fastener.
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Hole Series Components
I
Fastener
Right-click the Fastener and click Change fastener type to alter the fastener or select Use default fastener to return to the default.
I
Top Stack Click Add to Top Stack to add washers under the head of the
fastener.
I
Bottom Stack Click Add to Bottom Stack to add washers and nuts at the end of
the fastener, below the last component of the hole series.
Note
The previous use of Smart Fasteners did not include a top stack because it is a countersunk hole or a bottom stack because it is a tapped hole.
Changes to Existing Fasteners
After the fastener has been added, it can be changed in several ways.
I
Hole Series feature Right-click the Hole Series feature and click Edit Feature. All
holes created with that feature and in turn all fasteners generated in them are changed.
I
Smart Fastener feature - Right-click the Smart Fastener feature and click Edit Smart Fastener. All fasteners created with
that feature are changed.
I
Important!
Individual Fastener feature - Right-click the fastener and click Edit Toolbox component. That feature alone is changed.
Do not edit the individual parameters of a Toolbox part using Edit Sketch or Edit Feature. These functions do not update the Toolbox database.
49
Lesson 2
SolidWorks 2012
Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners
Splitting the hole series is only required where aligned holes are used with Smart Fasteners. In this situation, only one fastener might be added where two or more belong. The length of the fastener may cause it to pass through several holes.
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Splitting the Hole Series
The solution is to split the hole series to break one fastener into multiple fasteners. Click Edit Grouping.
Drag to split a series. I
Series 1, Series 2, and so on
Separate hole series that use this fastener. For example, if you had two hole patterns that both used a 1/4”-20 hex bolt, there would be two series listed under that fastener. Expand a series to show the hole feature(s).
Note: You may need to reverse the fasteners
after splitting a series. Right-click the series and click Flip.
Smart Fasteners and Configurations
50
It is not uncommon to create a configuration or a display state of an assembly that has all the hardware suppressed or hidden. Smart Fasteners facilitate this because the Smart Fasteners are grouped at the bottom of the FeatureManager design tree. They can also be selected using Select Toolbox.
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 2 Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e
22 Insert Smart Fasteners. Click Smart Fasteners . 23 Add.
Select the planar face of Jaw_Plate then click Add.
Smart Fasteners recognizes both holes on the planar face as identical CSK for M5 Flat Head Machine Screw holes, and will populate them at the same time.
24 Bottom stack. Click Add to Bottom Stack then select Plain Washers - Regular (B18.22M) to add a
washer.
Click Add to Bottom Stack then select Hex Nuts - Style 1 (B18.2.4.1M) to add a nut. Click OK.
25 Results.
Two screws are inserted into the holes. Also, a washer and a nut are added on the other side of Sliding_Jaw. A SmartFastener folder appears in the FeatureManager design tree containing the new hardware.
26 Save and close the files.
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Lesson 2
SolidWorks 2012
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Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners
52
SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 3 The Hole Wizard and Smart Fasteners
Exercise 3: The Hole Wizard and Smart Fasteners
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Use the Hole Wizard at the assembly level to create Assembly Features and Hole Series. Add the matching hardware using Smart Fasteners. This lab uses the following skills: I I I
Assembly Features on page 39 Hole Series on page 39 Smart Fasteners on page 46
Units: mm
Procedure
Use the following procedure:
1
Open an assembly file.
Open TBassy from the Lesson02\Exercises\SmFastenerLab folder.
2
Smart Fasteners.
Use Smart Fasteners to add hardware to the existing holes in TBroundcover and TBrearcover.
M3 Pan Head Cross with Plain Washers Narrow Length 8mm
M3 Flat Head Length 8mm
53
Exercise 3
SolidWorks 2012
The Hole Wizard and Smart Fasteners
Hole Series. Use Holes Series and Smart Fasteners to add holes and hardware as
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3
shown.
M3 Clearance Hole Socket Head Cap Screw with Plain Washer Narrow Length 10mm
Locations
Use these locations for Hole Series holes.
4
54
M3 CBore Hole Pan Head Cross Screw with Plain Washer Narrow Length 8mm
Save and close the files.
M5 CBore Hole Hex head Bolt with Plain Washer Narrow Length 25mm
SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 4 Assembly Features
Exercise 4: Assembly Features
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Create and edit assembly features to modify this assembly. This lab uses the following skills: I
Hole Wizard Assembly Feature
Assembly Features on page 39
The hole wizard can be used in the assembly as an assembly feature. It can exist only at the assembly level or at both the part and assembly level.
1
Open an assembly file. Open Assy Features from the Lesson02\Exercises\ Assy Features folder
Hide Gear, Oil Pump Driven.
2
Assembly feature. Select a face of Cover and click Hole Wizard .
Use these settings:
Counterbore, ANSI Metric, Pan Cross Head, M3 and Through All. For the Feature Scope, click Auto-select.
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Exercise 4
SolidWorks 2012
Assembly Features
3
Individual parts.
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Open the component parts Cover and Housing. As expected, they do not have the hole feature.
4
Edit feature scope.
Edit the hole wizard feature CBORE for M3 Pan Head Machine Screw1. Click Propagate feature to parts and make sure that only the components Cover and Housing are selected. Click OK. The hole now exists at both the assembly and part level.
56
SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 4 Assembly Features
Sketched Cut Assembly Feature
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A cut feature can be used as an assembly feature to create a cutaway view for use in a drawing. 5
Sketch and cut.
Create a sketch on the planar face of Shaft and sketch a rectangle that extends beyond the geometry as shown. Click Assembly Feature > Extruded Cut . Extend the cut through the entire assembly and select only Cover in Feature Scope.
Optionally, create a drawing and place an isometric view with the assembly feature cut. Area Hatch/Fill has been added in this example.
6
Save and close the files.
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Exercise 5
SolidWorks 2012
Level Assembly
Create this assembly using the information and dimensions provided. Add new parts top down and bottom up. This lab reinforces the following skills:
Smart Fasteners
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Exercise 5: Level Assembly
I I I
Top-Down Assembly Modeling on page 8 Hole Series on page 39 Smart Fasteners on page 46
TOP COVER
GLASS CYLINDER
LEVEL (supplied)
Units: mm
Design Intent
The design intent for this assembly and its parts is as follows:
1. GLASS CYLINDER is placed within the cutout in LEVEL, tangent to the bottom and centered. 2. TOP COVER fits with gaps of 0.10mm on each end (near the holes) of LEVEL. Its top is flush with the front and back of LEVEL. 3. The countersink holes are added to LEVEL and TOP COVER.
Part Design
Three component parts make up this new assembly. LEVEL is provided; use Make Assembly from Part to create the new assembly based on LEVEL. TOP COVER will be built in context. GLASS CYLINDER can be built outside the assembly.
Fasteners are added after the parts.
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SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 5 Level Assembly
TOP COVER is a plate with a
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rounded sight hole centered on the plate. The two countersunk holes go through TOP COVER and LEVEL.
GLASS CYLINDER is a simple cylinder that can be created outside of the assembly and dragged in.
59
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e Exercise 5
Level Assembly
60
SolidWorks 2012
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
Upon successful completion of this lesson, you will be able to: I
Utilize shortcuts for mating components.
I
Apply a mate reference and use it for efficient assembly.
I
Create and use Smart Components.
I
Use various advanced mate types.
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Lesson 3
SolidWorks 2012
Advanced Mate Techniques
Mating is one of the most important pieces of assembly modeling. SolidWorks has many advanced tools to make mating easier and faster.
Key Topics
The following are some of the topics that will be covered in this lesson:
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Advanced Mates
I
Mating shortcuts
As the assembly is being put together, there are important time savers for adding and mating components. I I I
Mate References Design Library Smart Components
The Mate tool creates all the types of mates between components, removing some or all of their degrees of freedom. To create the two most common types of mates, Concentric and Coincident, there are shortcuts.
Mate Capabilities
Advanced mate features and mating shortcuts allow you to create multiple mates dynamically as you add components to the assembly. They can create mates of all types and are easy and fast. They can be used from an open part document or from within the assembly.
Best Practices
The Best Practices for Mates topic in the online help contains many useful tips for adding assembly mates.
Design Library
The Design Library is a storage area for commonly used parts, features, and even assemblies. SolidWorks comes supplied with many of these, but you can add your own as well.
Mate References
A Mate Reference can be added to a part so that a mate can be used on the fly when dragging and dropping a part from Windows Explorer or the Design Library pane.
Smart Components
Smart Components are pre-configured parts that bring with them
associated features and components upon insertion into an assembly.
We will create a Smart Component consisting of the base (Smart) component, a secondary reference part, and a feature to be added to a pre-existing part in the assembly.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
Open an assembly file. Open Mates from the Lesson03\Case Study\Mates folder. This
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1
assembly contains a single component.
2
Open a part file. Open RoundCoverPl from the Lesson03\Case Study\Mates folder.
Tile the windows so that both documents can be seen.
3
Mate Concentric and Coincident.
Drag the circular edge of RoundCoverPl into the assembly and drop it on the circular edge of ModifiedHousing. The cursor appears as a “pin in hole” and Coincident mates will be created. Do not release the mouse button yet.
, indicating that Concentric
Press the Tab key to rotate the plate, putting the lug at the bottom. For other cursor types, see Feedback Pointers on page 66.
If the assembly is in lightweight mode, the Tab key will flip the alignment instead of rotating the component. See Lightweight Components on page 235 for more information.
Tip
4
Drop.
Drop the component to add it and its mates to the assembly.
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Advanced Mate Techniques
5
Results.
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Along with inserting the component, three mates were added using this method: two concentric mates and one coincident.
Other Uses
Mate shortcuts can also mate a face to a face and a vertex to a vertex. Both of these techniques generates a single mate.
Note
In the general case (mate shortcut without a hole pattern) pressing Tab alternates between the Anti-aligned and Aligned conditions.
6
Add second component.
Using the same method, add another instance on the other side.
7
Mates from Within the Assembly
Save and close the part file.
The use of mates extends to components that are already resident in the assembly. By using the Alt key while dragging the mating entity of the free component to its desired location, any mate type can be added.
Alternatively, you can add mates from within the Move Component PropertyManager by clicking the SmartMates button. Here there are two methods to apply a mate: I I
64
Double-click and drag the mating entity of the free component to its target mating entity and drop. Double-click the mating entity of the free component, then singleclick on the target mating entity.
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
Insert Offset Shaft.
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8
Click Insert Component and insert Offset Shaft into the assembly.
9
Mate shortcuts.
Select the cylindrical face of Offset Shaft. This does two things:
Identifies the component to be mated. I Identifies the mating entity (face). I
10 Drag using Alt key. While holding the Alt key, drag the
shaft to the mating face of ModifiedHousing. When the drag is initiated, two things happen.
The component becomes transparent. I The cursor displays a mate icon I
, indicating you are trying to add a mate.
11 Drop.
A feedback cursor appears when the concentric mate is inferred. Drop the part to preview the mate. Confirm with the Mate Pop-up toolbar, which shows the concentric mate type highlighted.
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Lesson 3
SolidWorks 2012
Advanced Mate Techniques
The same Mate Pop-up toolbar will appear if the cylindrical face of Offset Shaft was dragged and dropped from an open document. The Mate Pop-up toolbar will not appear when the mate consists of more than one individual mate (such as “pin in hole”).
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Note
12 Results.
A single Concentric mate is added between the two cylindrical faces.
Feedback Pointers
66
When you drag and drop, the pointer changes to indicate the type of entities being mated. I
indicates circular edges are being mated. The edges do not have to be complete circles. Concentric and Coincident mates are added.
I
indicates cylindrical faces are being mated. You can also mate conical faces (provided their cone angles are equal), and axes. A Concentric mate is added.
I
indicates planes or planar faces are being mated. A Coincident mate is added.
I
indicates linear edges are being mated. You can also mate axes, or an axis and a linear edge. A Coincident mate is added.
I
indicates vertices are being mated. A Coincident mate is added.
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
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13 Face selection.
Using selection filters, select the flat circular face of Offset Shaft as indicated. Press the Alt key, drag it toward ModifiedHousing and drop it when the coincident mate is inferred operation.
Note
. Click OK to complete the
Choosing a circular edge would also work in this situation.
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Lesson 3
SolidWorks 2012
Advanced Mate Techniques
So far we have used mate shortcuts with parts the are either already open or are already in the assembly. In both situations we have manually identified the geometry we are mating to. But what about dragging and dropping a part from Windows Explorer or the Design Library? How will the system know to what edge, face, or vertex to mate?
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Adding Mate References
Mate References allow you to realize the benefits of mate shortcuts
without the requirement of having the part you want to mate open. By identifying a face, edge or vertex in the part as the mate reference, you can use mate shortcuts while dragging and dropping the part from Windows Explorer or the Design Library.
Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary References
When you insert a part with a mate reference, the software identifies potential mate partners for the specified entity. If the primary entity is not valid for the entity your pointer is over, then the secondary entity is used. If neither the primary nor secondary entities are valid, then the tertiary entity is used. As you move the cursor in the assembly window, the pointer changes and the preview snaps into place when a potential mate partner is found.
Introducing: Mate Reference
Mate Reference identifies a selected face, edge or vertex to be used for
Where to Find It
I
CommandManager: Assembly (or Features) > Reference
I
Geometry > Mate Reference Menu: Insert, Reference Geometry, Mate Reference
mate shortcuts. Multiple mate references can be added to a part.
14 Adding a Mate Reference. Open Shaft and click Mate
. Under Primary Reference Reference Entity select the circular edge.
The Type sets the type of mate that will be created when there is a choice. Leave it at Default.
The Alignment sets the orientation of the mate created. Leave it at Any.
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Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
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15 Secondary and Tertiary. Add Secondary and Tertiary reference entities to the Mate Reference.
Add the Secondary reference to a cylindrical face and choose the Concentric mate type. Add the Tertiary reference to a planar face, and choose the Coincident mate type.
Secondary
Tertiary
Click OK.
16 Feature. The MateReferences folder is added to
the FeatureManager design tree. Multiple MateReference features can be listed in the folder. The part can now be added to an assembly from Windows Explorer using Smart Mates. However, let’s go a step further.
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Lesson 3
SolidWorks 2012
Advanced Mate Techniques
The Design Library pane accesses and stores commonly used library features, sheet metal forming tools and parts. Design Library parts can be dropped into assemblies as components, or into parts as derived or base parts.
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Design Library Parts
17 View the Design Library. On the Design Library tab of the Task Pane, click Design Library, Parts, Hardware to
access the folder.
Tip
You can navigate through the various folders just as you would through Windows Explorer.
18 Add to library.
Drag the top level icon of the Shaft into the Design Library pane. You can also drag it directly onto the hardware folder. After it is dropped, the Add to Library dialog appears allowing you to name the copy of the part.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
19 Name it Shaft_DL.
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You can rename the library part or keep the same name by clicking OK. Let’s call it Shaft_DL, and click OK.
Note
Another option is to click the Add to Library icon part. It opens the same Add to Library dialog.
and select the
20 Result. Shaft_DL is copied into the Hardware folder of
the Design Library.
Now, when you drag Shaft_DL into an assembly, you can take advantage of the mate reference. Close Shaft without saving the changes.
21 Drag and drop.
Rotate to the back of the assembly. Drag Shaft_DL from the Design Library into the assembly. It appears transparent.
While still holding the Shaft_DL part, move the cursor over the circular edge of the hole in RoundCoverPl. The “pin in hole” cursor appears. Drop the part.
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Advanced Mate Techniques
22 Configuration.
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Because the part contains more than one configuration, a list appears.
Choose S102B from the list, and click OK. Dismiss the Insert Components PropertyManager.
23 Completed. Shaft_DL is added with two
mates, one concentric and one coincident. It can still turn.
Capture Mate References
You can also use any existing mate on a component to define a Mate Reference for the component. When a component is edited in context of the assembly, the Mate Reference dialog enables you to capture the reference. Note that capturing a reference is possible only while editing a part in context of an assembly.
24 Edit a part.
Right-click Offset Shaft and click Edit Part
25 Mate Reference. Click Mate Reference
72
.
.
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e
26 References to Capture. Under References to Capture, two mated
entities are listed, along with their respective mates.
27 Select.
Select either of the two entities from the list. It becomes the Primary Reference Entity, with its Type and Alignment as well. If a second entity is selected as well, it will be the Secondary; a third, the Tertiary. Click OK.
28 Reference added. Once saved, the Mate Reference in this component can be used for
future mates in this assembly or another. Return to editing the assembly.
29 Save and close the files.
Smart Components
Smart Components can associate
common components and features. The insertion of a Smart Component into an assembly enables easy addition of related components and features in one step. This Smart Component can then be used in any number of different assemblies and always have its associated components and features easily inserted with it with no additional steps.
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Lesson 3
SolidWorks 2012
Advanced Mate Techniques
Use of Smart Components is a two stage process. First the component to be made Smart must be assembled in a defining assembly with the appropriate components and any in-context features. Next the Smart Component is “detached” from this assembly, bringing with it any and all information about the Smart Feature (or Component) references. There is no residual external reference to the defining assembly or other components.
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Create a Smart Component
Tip
The defining assembly is similar to the base feature used when creating a Library Feature. See the SolidWorks Essentials manual for more information.
Create the Defining Assembly
The first step in creating a Smart Component is to establish a defining assembly. In this lesson, a mortise lock assembly demonstrates Smart Components. Latch will be created from the beginning while the more complex Lock will be partially built.
Creating the features associated with the Smart Component requires the use of In-Context Features. See page 16 for more information.
1
Open assembly.
Open Box Assembly from the
Lesson03\Case Study\Smart Components folder.
2
Smart Fasteners.
Add Smart Fasteners to the existing holes in Latch. Two Flat Head Screw_AM should be added. For more information, see Smart Fasteners on page 46.
Note
74
For this example, use a screw from your current Toolbox Standard.
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
Make Smart Component
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To create the Smart Component, the component, associated components and features must be selected from the assembly using Make Smart Component.
Where to Find It
I
3
Menu: Tools, Make Smart Component
Component selections.
Click Make Smart Component and select Latch and the two Flat Head Screws as the related Components.
4
Features.
Under Features, select the in-context cut feature made in Cover for Latch. The previously selected components are automatically hidden but can be shown by clicking Show Components.
Click OK and create the smart feature.
5
Smart Component icon. Latch is marked with a star indicating that it is a Smart Component.
6
Save the file.
Save but do not close the assembly.
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Lesson 3
SolidWorks 2012
Advanced Mate Techniques
Inserting the Smart Component
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Smart Components can be inserted into an assembly using the same techniques as any other components. See Summary: Inserting and Mating Components on page 92 for more information.
7
8
Open assembly. Open Test from the Lesson03\Case Study\Smart Components folder.
Insert Smart Component.
Insert and mate the Smart Component Latch as shown using distance, coincident and width mates. To get this orientation, use the view named 2.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
Inserting Smart Features
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After the Smart Component has been added to the assembly and mated, the smart features and associated components can be added. This is accomplished using the references and selections made in the original assembly.
Where to Find It
I
Menu: Select the Smart Component and click Insert, Smart
Features
I
Shortcut Menu: Right-click the Smart Component and click Insert
Smart Features
I
9
Graphics Area: Click the Insert Smart Feature icon
Selections.
Click Insert Smart Feature in the graphics area and select the face listed under References as shown. Click Update feature and component
size/location when Smart Component moves/ changes.
Click OK.
Note
All the clicked options under Features and Components are based on the selections made when making the Smart Component and are automatically selected. They can be cleared to prevent the addition of that feature or component.
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Advanced Mate Techniques
10 Results.
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The associated features and components are added to the assembly.
If the parts were exploded, you would see the parts and the cut feature applied to Test.14X25.5.
11 FeatureManager design tree.
The FeatureManager design tree lists the Latch-1 folder that includes Latch, a Features folder and toolbox parts.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
The previous example contained all the elements of a typical Smart Component. The following example uses multiple features and multiple components.
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Using Multiple Features
Note
The in-context features required for the example have already been created.
12 Smart Fasteners. Return to Box Assembly and zoom in on Lock. Add Smart Fasteners as
shown.
13 Make Smart Component. Click Make Smart Component and select Lock and the related Components as shown.
Select all three cut features in the 0.75x18x6 component as Features and click OK.
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Lesson 3
SolidWorks 2012
Advanced Mate Techniques
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14 Insert and mate. Return to the Test assembly and insert the smart component. Mate it to be centered on the face of Test.12X18 in both directions and flush
with the surface.
15 New Smart Feature. Add the Lock Smart Feature using selections from the Test.12X18
component.
16 Save and close the files.
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Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
Using Auto Size
The Auto Size option within
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Make Smart Component
can place and size a smart component. By selecting a cylindrical face as a mate reference, the diameter is read by the smart component and is used as a trigger for selecting an appropriate configuration based on a range of diameters.
Because it is based on cylindrical references, only shaft-type parts can utilize this option. In this example, an end cap for pipes demonstrates the option.
The focus is strictly on how the Auto Size option works. Although we know that additional components and features can be created along with the Smart Component, they are not used here for clarity.
Note
1
Open an assembly file.
Open Smart_Base_Assembly from the Lesson03\Case Study\Autosize folder. The assembly includes the Smart_Drain_Pipe component.
Tip
The cylinder represents a pipe that Smart_EC will cap. Note that the “pipe” model is solid, because the cap is designed to fit the outer diameter only.
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Lesson 3
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Advanced Mate Techniques
Open a part file. Open Smart_EC. It is built using a
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2
revolved feature with an inner diameter dimension.
It also contains configurations that drive the inner diameter. The sizes represent standard pipes of 3/8”, 1/2”, 3/4” and 1” diameter. Close the part.
3
Insert component.
Drag Smart_EC into the
Smart_Base_Assembly
assembly using the mate reference as shown.
4
Make Smart Component. Select the Smart_EC component and click Make
. Click the Diameter Smart Component checkbox and select the inner face of the component as shown.
This creates a mate reference that includes a sensor to determine the diameter of the attachment face.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
The Configurator Table controls matching configurations and features and parts used by the smart feature. The chart is filled in using pulldowns for configurations and typing for numbers.
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Configurator Table
For example, a pipe diameter that falls between 0.8” and 0.9” selects the 12 configuration of the Smart Component. This range is chosen because a standard 1/2” pipe has an OD of 0.84”.
5
Configurator Table. Click Configurator Table and fill in the
chart as shown. The ranges will capture standard pipe OD’s. Click OK twice.
Note
If the smart component contained associated parts and features, like the previous case study, additional columns would be added.
Features of the Smart Component
The FeatureManager design tree shows that the smart component contains two new features: the Smart Feature folder and a SmartPartSensor- mate reference. The new mate reference places the component and supersedes the original mate reference.
6
Save and close the files.
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Lesson 3
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Advanced Mate Techniques
Open an assembly file. Open test.assembly from the Lesson03\Case Study\Autosize
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7
folder. The assembly includes several “test pipe” components of different standard sizes at various angles.
8
Insert component.
Drag Smart_EC from Windows Explorer into the assembly and locate it on the cylindrical face of the test.pipe.A component as shown. The sensor reads the diameter of the component (0.675”) and determines if there is a corresponding range in the Configurator. The range 0.6” to 0.7” applies, so the configuration 38 (3/8”) is selected and used. Drop the component and use Flip Mate Alignment if necessary.
9
Add components.
Add the remaining components as shown using the same Smart Component.
Note
When you drag onto test.pipe.B, why does the Select Configuration dialog appear? The option appears because two configurations (Default and 12) have the same range values in the configurator.
10 Save and close the files.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
In addition to the standard mates, there are specialized Advanced Mates and Mechanical Mates for use under certain circumstances.
Advanced Mate Types
These include Symmetric, Width, Path Mate, Linear/Linear Coupler and Limit mates.
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Advanced and Mechanical Mate Types
I
I
I
Note
The path can be a single edge or multiple edges using the Selection Manager. I
Note
A Linear/Linear Coupler mate defines relative linear motion between 2 components. A ratio determines the differences.
The selection defines both the component and the direction of linear movement. I
Mechanical Mate Types
A Symmetric Mate forces two similar entities to be symmetric about a plane or planar face; it does not create mirrored components. A Width Mate centers a tab within the width of a groove. The groove can consist of 2 parallel or non-parallel planar faces, and the tab may consist of a cylindrical face, or 2 parallel or non-parallel planar faces. A Path Mate connects the vertex of a component to a path. The component can be dragged along that path using settings for Path Constraint, Pitch/Yaw Control and Roll Control.
A Limit Mate defines a range of motion for a Distance Angle mate, allowing some freedom of movement.
or
Mechanical Mates represent common mechanical joints. These include Cam, Gear, Hinge, Rack Pinion, Screw and Universal Joint mates. I
I I
A Cam (or Cam-Follower) Mate is a type of tangent or coincident mate. It enables you to mate a cylinder, plane, or point to a series of tangent extruded surfaces, such as you would find on a cam. A Hinge mate simulates a hinge using a concentric, coincident and angle mate with limits. A Gear Mate defines a relationship between mechanically connected gears or pulleys. It enables you to maintain the desired ratio of rotational motion between components. Note that counterrotating gears are the default relationship, so for pulleys you must check the Reverse direction check box (gears turn in opposite directions, pulleys turn in the same direction).
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Lesson 3
SolidWorks 2012
Advanced Mate Techniques
A Rack Pinion Mate creates “traction”, enabling linear motion of one component to create rotational motion in another, and viseversa. A Screw Mate creates a relationship between two cylindrical faces designed to mimic the motion of threads. A Universal Joint Mate simulates the motion of a universal joint using two components and a Joint Point.
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I
I
I
1
Open an assembly file.
Open AdvMates from the
Lesson03\Case Study\AdvMates
folder. The assembly consists of simple link, pulley and cam systems. We will add a belt assembly feature to control the pulley motion. We will also add appropriate mates to other components of the assembly to get the desired motion.
2
Insert mate. Click Mate and expand Mechanical Mates.
3
Define a gear mate between the pulleys. Click Gear . Select the outer circular edges of the pulley components. The 350mm and 250mm diameters are taken
directly from the geometry (either a circular edge, including a reference pitch circle, or cylinder face) and define the ratio between them. These values may be overridden manually. Since the default motion for this mate type is counter-rotating gears, pulleys and a belt require you to Reverse the direction to get the correct motion. DON’T click OK yet.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
The Belt / Chain Assembly Feature
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The Belt/Chain Assembly Feature is a special type of assembly feature specifically designed to relate pulleys or sprockets.
Introducing: Belt/Chain
Belt/Chain Assembly Feature adds appropriate mates and relationships
Where to Find It
I
to achieve the desired rotational result, and gives the option to create a new part from the feature. The Belt/Chain feature creates a sketch that can be made into a solid using a sweep. Multiple pulleys or sprockets can be included. CommandManager: Assembly > Assembly Features
> Belt/
Chain
I
4
Menu: Insert, Assembly Feature, Belt/Chain
Alternative.
The Gear Mate is a simple, convenient way to attain relative rotational motion between two components. But in the case of pulleys and a belt, or sprockets and a chain, in particular when an idler is involved (a gear mate can be applied to two components only), there is another option. Click Cancel in the Mate dialog.
5
Add Belt/Chain feature. Click Belt/Chain . It may be helpful to switch to Hidden Lines Visible and the Right
orientation.
Axes, circular edges or cylinder faces can be selected. Select the two edges that form the bottoms of the pulley vgrooves, and the outer edge of the idler wheel.
The diameter of each circle is indicated, and can be modified here if necessary. Use Flip belt side on idler if necessary to put the belt inside.
If necessary, we could specify an alternate Belt Location Plane for the belt. In this case, the belt plane is correct.
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Lesson 3
SolidWorks 2012
Advanced Mate Techniques
Other properties. The Properties area offers
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6
some belt definition choices. It is unlikely we would find a standard belt of length 2235.36mm. By making the belt Driving, we can set a standard length. Enter 2000mm (2 meters). This keeps the two pulleys almost aligned vertically and tightens idler.
Also, the nominal length should not be calculated by the minimum provided by the vgroove circumference, so we need to add some belt thickness. Set it to 15mm. The belt curve will be offset from all the pulleys by half the thickness, or 7.5mm. Engage belt is a toggle for suppressing and unsuppressing the mates.
Should there be a need to adjust the phase of the pulleys or gears, this box could be cleared and the pulleys would move independently.
Create belt part would take the newly created assembly feature and
save it as a part file with name of your choice. We won’t create a part from this belt. Click OK.
The pulleys now move according to the traction of the belt.
7
Add Coincident Mate to the pin-inslot relationship.
Next add a coincident mate between the temporary axis of pulley and the Top plane of link .
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Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
8
Limit Mate.
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Now we want to keep the pin within the length of the slot. Click on the Advanced Mates tab, and click Distance . Use the axis of pulley again, and this time the Right plane of the link. Set the base dimension to 0mm, Maximum Value to 50mm and Minimum Value to - 50mm. Click OK twice to apply and close the mate dialog.
9
Move component.
Move pulley to verify the motion of link.
10 Add a Cam Mate.
Insert another mate, and expand the Mechanical Mates tab. Click Cam .
11 Select cam face. For Mate Selections, select the thickness face of cam.
Note
This cam surface is one face, created with a fit spline. In the case where the cam surface consists of several separate but tangent faces, they all must be selected.
12 Select Cam Follower face. The Cam Follower is the
thickness face of the yellow
roller.
It may be necessary to flip the alignment of the mate. Click OK twice.
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Advanced Mate Techniques
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13 Complete motion. Rotate the lower pulley. The upper pulley follows at the correct speed, link follows the pin, and Follower moves with cam.
For more on motion and animations, see the Creating Animations with SolidWorks Step-By-Step manual.
Tip
14 Save and close the files.
Rack Pinion Mate
As earlier indicated, the Rack Pinion Mate is for relating rotation and translation. This can apply to a gear and rack relationship, or to any conveyor operation, such as roller feed or a wheel rolling on a surface.
1
Open an assembly file. Open Rack&Pinion from the Lesson03\Case Study\RackPinionMate
folder.
The assembly contains just two parts, spur gear and rack. The sketches containing the tooth cut dimensions are shown.
2
Tangency.
The first thing needed is an appropriate tangent relationship between spur gear and rack. Were this a simple wheel resting on a surface, that would be easy. But with gear teeth, we must use the pitch circle.
3
Distance mate.
Add a 3” distance mate between the center of the spur gear and the highlighted pitch line of the rack.
Pitch Line
Note
90
We can’t mate tangent to the pitch circle, but the next best thing will be a Distance Mate from the center of spur gear to the pitch line of rack. The Pitch Line is the construction line through the middle of the tooth cut. The pitch diameter is 6 inches, so the distance to mate is 3 inches.
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
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Determine if the teeth are interfering. If they are, now is the time to adjust either rack or spur gear so that they mesh. After applying the Rack Pinion Mate, you will not be able to fix meshing without suppressing the mate.
4
Rack Pinion Mate.
Under Mechanical Mates in the Mate dialog, select Rack Pinion and Pinion pitch diameter.
Rack - Select the long lower edge. Any linear
edge that runs in the direction of travel is adequate.
Pinion - Select the pitch circle of spur gear. The Pinion pitch diameter, 6 inches, is taken from the geometry. Click OK twice.
5
Test.
Test the motion of the assembly. If necessary, edit the mate and select Reverse to change the direction of motion.
6
Save and close the files.
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Lesson 3
SolidWorks 2012
Advanced Mate Techniques
There are several ways to insert components into an assembly. Mates can also be created in several different ways. Some mates can be created as you insert the component, others only after the component has been added. For reference purposes, the tables on the following pages summarize the ways that each operation can be done.
Inserting the First Component
The first component added to any assembly is automatically fixed. Components dropped onto the Origin of the assembly in the graphics area, whether they are the first one or not, are also fixed in space.
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Summary: Inserting and Mating Components
Method
Inserting Additional Components
Insert, Component, Existing Part/ Assembly
Drop the component at a free location or drop it at the Origin of the assembly.
Drag and drop the file from Windows Explorer
Drag the file from Windows Explorer into the graphics window of the assembly, either at a free location or at the Origin.
Drag and drop from an open document
Drag top level icon of the part’s FeatureManager design tree into the graphics window of the assembly, either at a free location or at the Origin.
Once there is at least one instance of a component in the assembly, additional ones can be added without looking outside the assembly. Method
92
Description
Description
Drag and drop from within the graphics window
Select a component’s graphics or icon in the FeatureManager design tree, and hold down Ctrl and drag into the graphics area to create another instance. This method also copies the orientation of the component.
Copy and paste the component from FeatureManager design tree or component graphics into the graphics window
Select a component’s icon in the FeatureManager design tree and copy it to the clipboard. Click in the graphics area and paste it. The component will be pasted at the assembly Origin although it will not be fixed.
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
Inserting and mating a component at the same time.
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Inserting and Mating Simultaneously
Mating Existing Components
Method
Description
Mate entity
Drag a face, edge, or vertex of a component from an open document onto the appropriate face, edge or vertex in the assembly.
Using a Mate Reference
Drag the top level component of an open document, or a component from Windows Explorer or the Design Library, onto the appropriate face, edge or vertex in the assembly.
Mating components that have already been inserted into the assembly. Method
Description
Mate
Add mates between any pair of the following objects: faces, edges, vertices, axes, temporary axes, planes, origins, sketch lines or points. Any type of mate can be created.
Mate using Alt-drag on the mating entity of the free component.
Infers Concentric or Coincident mate types only, but can be changed to other types before confirmation (except “pin in hole”).
Use the SmartMates tool from within the Move
Infers Concentric or Coincident mate types only, but can be changed to other types before confirmation (except “pin in hole”).
Component
PropertyManager.
Use Multiple mate mode in the Mate PropertyManager.
Mates multiple components to a common reference in one operation, such as several gears or bushings to a single shaft.
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Lesson 3
SolidWorks 2012
Advanced Mate Techniques
Multiple Mate Mode
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The Multiple Mate Mode is useful when a series of mates will share a common selection. It enables you to make a single “common” selection that is used in multiple mates.
1
Open an assembly file. Open Multiple_Mates from the Lesson03\Case Study\Multiple Mates folder. The assembly contains one fixed component and five
unmated components.
2
Note
94
Select common face. Click Mate . Select the inner circular face of Main Body as shown. Click Multiple mate mode .
The Create multi-mate folder option groups the mates created into a single folder. The Link dimensions option can only be used if the mates are of the Distance or Angle type.
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
3
Multiple mate selection.
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Select the circular face of Plunger as shown. Click Flip Mate Alignment on the pop-up toolbar if required while adding the mate.
Do not click OK on the Mate PropertyManager as yet.
4
Additional components.
Select additional components by clicking the circular faces shown.
5
Alignment.
Mate alignment can also be reversed after creation. In the Mates dialog, select the mate to be reversed and click the alignment controls Aligned or Anti-aligned to reverse them. You can also use View Mates. Click OK.
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Lesson 3
SolidWorks 2012
Advanced Mate Techniques
6
Completed.
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Complete the mating by moving components and adding mates.
7
Save and close the files.
Using Copy with Mates
The Copy with Mates tool allows you to copy multiple components to create new instances with mates. The new mates are based on the mates of the seed components, modified to suit the new conditions.
Copy with Mates vs. Patterns
Copy with Mates can be used where patterns will not give the proper results. Patterns are limited to Linear, Circular and Feature Driven
types and they do not generate mates. In this example. the components of a spiral staircase will be copied, placing and rotating them as they are added.
Where to Find It
96
I
CommandManager: Assembly > Insert Components
I
with Mates Menu: Insert, Component, Copy with Mates
> Copy
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
Open an assembly file. Open Copy With Mates from the Lesson03\Case Study\Using Copy with Mates folder. The
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1
assembly contains two components (spacer and step) that will be copied to two other positions on center pole.
2
Select components. Click Copy with Mates and select spacer and step. Four mates appear in the Mates group box, Concentric11 and Concentric2, Coincident1 and Concentric3.
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Lesson 3
SolidWorks 2012
Advanced Mate Techniques
There are several options available with each mate; it can be used with a replacement selection, it can be ignored or it can be repeated.
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Mate Options
I
I I
Select a replacement entity (face, plane, edge etc.) and use Flip Mate Alignment , if necessary, to get the proper direction. Click the mate icon ( Coincident1 for example) to ignore the mate. It will not be used in the placement of the copy. Click the Repeat option to use the same selections as the original mate with the copy.
Investigating the Mates
The mates listed in the dialog are those required to copy and mate the selected components. Let’s investigate the mates further with View Mates before choosing the proper Mate Options.
Mates That Will Not Change
Both spacer and step remain mated to the center pole component. These mates will use Repeat. The Concentric11 mate is between the outer face of the center pole and the inner face of the spacer.
The Concentric2 mate is between the outer face of the center pole and the inner face of the step.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
The spacer component will be stacked on the previous step component. A hole in the spacer component will line up with a hole in the previous step component. These mates will require a replacement selection.
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Mates That Will Change
The Coincident1 mate is between the upper face of the center pole flange and the bottom face of spacer.
The Concentric3 mate is between a bolt hole of the center pole flange and a bolt hole of spacer.
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Lesson 3
SolidWorks 2012
Advanced Mate Techniques
First replacement entity. Click Repeat for the Concentric11 and Concentric2 mates.
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3
Click in the Concentric3 field and select the circular face (hole) of the step as indicated.
4
Additional face. Click in the Coincident1 field and
select the upper planar face of the step as indicated.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 3 Advanced Mate Techniques
Repeat. Click OK then add another
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5
copy of the same components rotating the set counterclockwise.
Select the next hole face counterclockwise from the hole marked with the notch.
Tip
6
Additional copies.
Create a total of three copies, rotating one bolt hole counterclockwise with each additional copy.
7
End command.
Click OK twice to complete the mating and exit the PropertyManager.
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Lesson 3
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Advanced Mate Techniques
8
Mates.
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Expand the Mates folder. Groups of mates are created for each instance of each component.
9
102
Save and close the files.
SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 6 Mates and Animation
Exercise 6: Mates and Animation
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Create this assembly using the component parts provided, using the Mate References, standard mates and mate shortcuts. When it is completed, drag a component to show the animation. This lab uses the following skills: I I
Design Intent
Mate References on page 62 Mate Capabilities on page 62
The components used in this assembly are shown exploded below: CLAMP_PLUNGER
CLAMP_ARM_L
CLAMP_ARM_R
nut
CLAMP_LINK
flange bolt long
flange bolt short
Procedure:
Baseplate
Create a new assembly using the Assembly_IN template.
1
First component. Insert Baseplate from the Lesson03\Exercises\MateRef
folder. Fix the component by dropping it onto the Origin.
Note
Use whatever method of mating is most efficient for the remaining components. All components have mate references as indicated.
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Exercise 6
SolidWorks 2012
Mates and Animation
Flange bolt short. Insert and mate flange bolt short to Baseplate. Create a concentric mate. Because of the mate reference, you can drag and drop the bolt from Windows Explorer into the hole using the mate shortcut.
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2
The Mate Reference (cylindrical face) for the component is shown at the right.
3
CLAMP_ARM_L. Add CLAMP_ARM_L so that it is mated to flange bolt short with concentric and coincident mates.
It also has to be mated to the lever boss feature on Baseplate.
The Mate Reference (cylindrical face) for the component is shown at the right. Mate CLAMP_ARM_L to Baseplate with a coincident mate.
104
SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 6 Mates and Animation
CLAMP_ARM_R. Add CLAMP_ARM_R into the assembly and mate it to Baseplate, flange bolt short, and CLAMP_ARM_L.
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4
The two clamp arms should move together.
The Mate Reference (cylindrical face) for the component is shown at the right.
5
Nut. Add and mate one nut to the assembly. It needs concentric and coincident mates. Eventually, three instances of nut will be used in the assembly.
The Mate Reference (circular edge) for the component is shown at the right.
105
Exercise 6
SolidWorks 2012
Mates and Animation
CLAMP_LINK. Add CLAMP_LINK to the assembly. This component will be used twice.
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6
Mate CLAMP_LINK to CLAMP_ARM_L with a concentric
and a coincident mate.
The CLAMP_LINK is shown highlighted for visibility.
Note
The Mate Reference (cylindrical face) for the component is shown at the right.
7
Flange bolt long. Flange bolt long is similar to flange bolt short with a longer shaft. Two of these are used in the assembly. Insert it and mate it as shown.
The Mate Reference (cylindrical face) for the component is shown at the right.
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SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 6 Mates and Animation
Another CLAMP_LINK and nut.
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8
Add a second instance of CLAMP_LINK and nut to the assembly and mate them. Do not worry about adding a mate between the two instances of CLAMP_LINK so that they move together. This will be taken care of when they are bolted to CLAMP_PLUNGER in the next step.
9
Complete the assembly.
Complete the assembly by adding CLAMP_PLUNGER through the hole in Baseplate.
Add a second instance of flange bolt long and another nut as shown.
The Mate Reference (cylindrical face) for the component is shown at the right.
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Exercise 6
SolidWorks 2012
Mates and Animation
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10 Dynamic collision detection. Click Move Component and turn on Collision Detection. Move the linkage
through its range of motion. You should detect interference between CLAMP_LINK and Baseplate.
11 Save and close the files.
108
SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 7 Using Copy With Mates
Add components to this assembly using Copy with Mates.
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Exercise 7: Using Copy With Mates
This lab uses the following skills: I
Procedure:
Using Copy with Mates on page 96
Open Copy With Mates from the Lesson03\Exercises\Copy with Mates folder. Copy and orient Gasket and Housing to the open ports on Mixer as shown.
109
Exercise 8
SolidWorks 2012
Smart Components 1
Exercise 8: Smart Components 1
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Create a new Smart Component and insert it into an assembly.
This lab reinforces the following skills: I I
Procedure
Create a Smart Component on page 74 Inserting the Smart Component on page 76
Use the following procedure:
1
Open an assembly file.
Open Source from the Lesson03\Exercises\ Smart_Component_lab folder. This assembly contains the features and components that will create the Smart Component. In-context cuts have already been made in Mount.
2
Fasteners.
Add Smart Fasteners to the Smart_Knob and Strike components as shown.
Note
110
Change the fasteners on Smart_Knob to Pan Head Cross screws (Machine Screws) during creation.
SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 8 Smart Components 1
Make Smart Component. Select Smart_Knob as the Smart Component, all fasteners, Strike and Long Handle as included Components, and all the cuts in Mount as the included Features to complete the Smart Component.
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3
4
Insert Smart Component.
Open the assembly
Place_Smart_Component and insert Smart_Knob using the mate
reference. Locate the component using distance mates from planes as shown.
5
Make smart.
Add Smart_Knob using selections on Mount.
6
Save and close the files.
111
Exercise 9
SolidWorks 2012
Smart Components 2
Exercise 9: Smart Components 2
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Create a new Smart Component and insert it into an assembly.
This lab reinforces the following skills: I I
Procedure
Create a Smart Component on page 74 Inserting the Smart Component on page 76
Use the following procedure:
1
Open an assembly file.
Open defining_assembly from the
Lesson03\Exercises\SmartComp
folder.
This assembly contains the features and components that will be part of the Smart Component.
2
3
Make the d_connector Smart. Select the hex_nuts and screws as included components, and all cutouts in smetal_part as the included features. Configurator.
Use the Configurator Table to ensure that the cutout configuration will match the d_connector configuration. 6mm screws and hex nuts are adequate for all configurations.
4
Save and close the files.
5
Open an assembly file. Open computer from the Lesson03\Exercises\SmartComp
folder. This assembly contains part of a computer chassis and some internal components. It may be helpful to hide mother board.
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SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 9 Smart Components 2
6
Add d_connector to the assembly.
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Take advantage of the existing Mate Reference to mate the connector to the sheet metal face as indicated.
Move or mate the connector as necessary to position it on the face.
7
Activate the Smart Feature. Right-click d_connector and click Insert Smart Features.
Select the hidden (outside) face of the computer chassis as the placement reference. Click OK.
8
Finished.
The connector is inserted with the accompanying fasteners, and the cutouts are added to the chassis.
9
Save and close the files.
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Exercise 10
SolidWorks 2012
Gear Mates
Exercise 10: Gear Mates
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Create the desired motion in the gears using Gear Mates. This lab reinforces the following skills: I
Advanced and Mechanical Mate Types on page 85
Tip
In the gear part files, the sketch that defines the teeth has been shown. You will need to locate the Pitch Circle of each gear to attain the correct ratio automatically. Otherwise, if you use the bore or another circle or cylindrical face, you will need to manually override the ratio. The pitch circles from meshing gears are tangent to each other.
Procedure
Use the following procedure:
1
Open an assembly file. Open gears from the Lesson03\Exercises\Gears folder.
The components are already constrained to allow rotation only.
2
Tip
114
Mate the planetary Spur Gears to the central Spur Gear. The central drive gear should be Gear Mated to each of the three smaller gears (the correct Ratio is 2 : 1).
The Gear Mate operation does not account for meshing of gear teeth, and does not detect interference. To maintain the correct appearance of meshing gears, be sure the teeth do not interfere before adding the mates.
SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 10 Gear Mates
Gear Mate. Mate Internal Spur Gear to one of the
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3
small planetary gears.
(The correct Ratio is 4 : 1.)
Be aware of direction; since one gear is nested inside the other, the rotation is reversed.
If all the planetary gears are mated to the central drive gear, it is not necessary to mate more than one of the planetary gears to the large Internal Spur Gear. Doing so is redundant, and may even cause the assembly to go over defined.
Important!
4
Finished.
Now when the drive gear is rotated, the internal gear turns at half the speed and in the opposite direction.
5
Save and close the files.
115
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e Exercise 10
Gear Mates
116
SolidWorks 2012
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e Lesson 4 Using Configurations with Assemblies
Upon successful completion of this lesson, you will be able to: I
Pattern components.
I
Create a configuration of an assembly.
I
Use configure component to automate the creation of configurations.
I
Create a custom PropertyManager for a part.
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Lesson 4
SolidWorks 2012
Using Configurations with Assemblies
Configurations at the assembly level create variations of the assembly within the same assembly document.
Stages in the Process
The major stages in the process are listed below:
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Using Configurations with Assemblies
I
Component Patterns
Create instances of components based on linear, circular, or part-level features/holes.
I
Manual Configurations
Review existing configurations and modify the properties.
I
Configuration Publisher
Create a PropertyManager for a part to facilitate easier configuration selection when inserting the part into an assembly.
Procedure
118
Starting with an existing assembly, we create multiple configurations to represent several options in the design of the support leg of a gas grill. We utilize existing part and sub-assembly configurations.
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 4 Using Configurations with Assemblies
The Plank component used in this lesson has two configurations. Each configuration assigns a different material to the part.
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Components and Sub-assemblies
The Side_Table_Shelf_&_Burners sub-assembly has left and right hand configurations representing the position of the burners. The Left configuration is shown.
1
Open an assembly file.
Open Support_Frame from the Lesson04\Case Study folder.
There is one instance of the Plank component. This instance uses the Wood configuration.
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Lesson 4
SolidWorks 2012
Using Configurations with Assemblies
Component Patterns create instances of components based on an
assembly-level pattern or existing part-level patterns.
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Component Patterns
Linear and Circular component patterns are defined using geometry in the assembly, similar to their counterparts in part models. Feature Driven component patterns are defined using existing pattern and hole features selected from component parts in the assembly.
Component Pattern
Based on Part-level Feature or Hole
Linear
None
Circular
None
Feature Driven
Sketch Driven Table Driven
Curve Driven Fill
Hole Series
Hole Wizard
Where to Find It
Note
120
I
CommandManager: Assembly > Linear Component Pattern
I
> Feature Driven Component Pattern Menu: Insert, Component Pattern, Feature Driven
Instances of the patterned components are added into pattern folders such as DerivedLPattern1.
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 4 Using Configurations with Assemblies
Component Pattern. Click Feature Driven Component Pattern and select Plank. Click in the Driving Feature field, and select the pattern feature LPattern1 from Support_Leg in the flyout
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2
FeatureManager design tree or from a face of the geometry.
Select Seed Position allows you to choose a different position for the
Note
seed component. By default, it starts from its mated location.
3
Components.
The components generated by the pattern are stored beneath the DerivedPattern1 feature. They are created without mates; they are tied to the pattern positions.
Note
The components can be broken from the pattern by right-clicking the pattern feature and clicking Dissolve Pattern. The components are added into the FeatureManager design tree without any mates. To create a “pattern” of fully defined component instances, see Using Copy with Mates on page 96.
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Using Configurations with Assemblies
The most direct way to create a configuration is manually. See the Essentials manual for more information.
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Creating Configurations Manually
There are several reasons to create configurations manually, where no suppression or numeric changes are required. In these cases, just creating the configuration name is enough. I I I
Where to Find It
I
Exploded Views - Each exploded view needs its own configuration. Alternate Position Views - Each alternate position view needs its
own configuration. They are overlaid in the drawing view. Component Positioning - To create views that show the range of motion or multiple positions of a component. Move component can be set to store positions in configurations. ConfigurationManager: Right-click the top-level icon and click Add Configuration
I
Shortcut Menu: Right-click the component and click Add Configuration
When you add a new configuration in this way, the settings of the active configuration are copied. Configurations can also be created by copying and pasting them in the ConfigurationManager.
Configuration Properties
Some of the assembly Configuration Properties options are the same as those for a part, but the Advanced Options differ. I
I
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122
Suppress new features and mates means that if mates or
assembly features are added to the assembly while another configuration is active, the new mates or assembly features will be suppressed in this configuration. Suppress new components means that if components are added to the assembly while another configuration is active, the components will be suppressed in this configuration. Hide new components means that if components are added to the assembly while another configuration is active, the components will be hidden in this configuration. This information is stored in the display state.
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 4 Using Configurations with Assemblies
Configuration properties.
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4
Click the ConfigurationManager. Right-click the Default configuration and click Properties.
In the Advanced Options group, click Suppress new features and mates and Suppress new components. Click OK.
5
Rename configuration.
Rename the Default configuration to Planks_Wood.
Tip
By making these settings in this existing configuration, new configurations use these settings.
Using Configure Component
Use Configure Component on a component, assembly feature or mate to automate the process of creating configurations. The tabular interface allows you to create new configurations and set options for the selection. Entity
Configure component options
Top-level Part Component
Current state: Suppress with checkbox and Configuration drop down list
Top-level Sub-assembly Component
Current state: Suppress with checkbox and Configuration drop down list
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Using Configurations with Assemblies
Configure component options
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Entity Assembly feature in the FeatureManager design tree
Current state: Suppress with checkbox
Assembly feature dimension in the graphics area
Current value with number box
Mate in the FeatureManager design tree
Current state: Suppress with checkbox
Mate dimension in the graphics area
Current value with number box
Note
Select multiple entities to configure more than one entity at a time.
Where to Find It
I
Shortcut Menu: Right-click an item and click Configure
Component or Configure Feature
6
Configure component.
Right-click Plank and click Configure component. Type Planks_Plastic over the text. Select the Plastic configuration for the part in the new assembly configuration. Click OK.
7
Resulting configurations.
The new configurations each use a different configuration of Plank.
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Lesson 4 Using Configurations with Assemblies
Add new configuration. Right-click Plank and click Configure component. Type Single_Tray over the text. Click Suppress for the newest configuration. Click OK.
9
Manual suppress. Make the Single_Tray configuration active. Right-click the DerivedPattern1 feature and click Suppress .
10 Mate component. Insert side_table_shelf and mate it to the assembly as shown using
coincident and concentric mates. The component contains a mate reference. For more information, see Adding Mate References on page 68.
Mate Reference
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Using Configurations with Assemblies
11 Mates by configuration.
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Due to the settings used in the Configuration Properties (step 4 on page 123), side_table_shelf and its mates are automatically suppessed in all configurations except the currently active one (Single_Tray).
12 Add new configuration. Right-click side_table_shelf and click Configure component. Type LH_Burners over the
text. Click Suppress for the newest configuration. Click OK.
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13 Insert sub-assembly. Activate the LH_Burners configuration. Insert side_table_shelf_&_burners with the Left configuration. Mate it similar to side_table_shelf from step 10 on page
125. This sub-assembly has several subassemblies nested within it.
14 Add new configuration.
Right-click the
side_table_shelf_&_burners
sub-assembly in the FeatureManager design tree and click Configure component. Type RH_Burners over the text. Select the Right configuration of the sub-assembly for the newest configuration of the main assembly. Click OK.
Note
You right-click the sub-assembly in the FeatureManager design tree to ensure that you are configuring the sub-assembly and not one of its components.
15 Activate configuration. Activate the RH_Burners
configuration to see the new arrangement of the burners.
16 Save the files.
Save but do not close the assembly.
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Using Configurations with Assemblies
The Configuration Publisher tool creates a custom dialog with parameters for components that are inserted into assemblies. If configurations exist in the component, then the parameters are taken from the configuration data in the part. If configurations do not exist in the component, they can be created using specified criteria as you insert the component into an assembly.
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Configuration Publisher
When using Configuration Publisher with existing configurations, only configured features and dimensions are used. Other features and dimensions are not available. Shortcut Menu: Right-click the top level component in the FeatureManager design tree and click Configuration Publisher
Where to Find It
I
Tip
This lesson exhibits a fairly simple use of this functionality. It is most useful for a component with many configured features and dimensions. For example, it could greatly simplify inserting an air filter with many length, width, and material combinations into an assembly.
17 Open a part file. Open Wheel.
There are six configurations in this part. There are three diameters and two different representations of a hubcap.
with hubcap
without hubcap
18 Set parameters.
Right-click the top level component in the FeatureManager design tree and click Configuration Publisher. Drag the controls from the left onto the Edit tab in the order shown.
Only two controls are available because these are the only configured features or dimensions.
19 Names.
Type the labels shown into the Name box for each control.
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20 Preview.
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A preview of the PropertyManager appears on the SW Preview tab. Return to the Edit tab, click Apply, then click Close.
21 Location. The PropertyManager feature is stored in the
ConfigurationManager. You can right-click the icon and click Edit Feature to edit it.
22 Save and close the files.
Using the PropertyManager
The PropertyManager appears each time the component is inserted into an assembly. You can use the controls to insert the component by its parameters or by a specific configuration name. As you change selections in the PropertyManager, the preview of the component changes in the graphics area.
23 Insert component. Click Insert Components
and add the Wheel component to the
assembly.
24 Configure component. The Configure Component
PropertyManager appears. Under Parameters, select 200 for Diameter and select the Hubcap check box. Click OK.
25 Copy component. Hold down Ctrl and drag the wheel into the
graphics area to create another instance. Choose the same size for this instance.
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Using Configurations with Assemblies
26 Mate.
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Hold down Alt and drag the circular edge of Wheel to the circular edge of Support_Leg to add concentric and coincident mates. Watch for the pointer to indicate the proper mate relationships. Repeat for the other Wheel.
27 Configure components. Hold down Ctrl and select both Wheel
components.
Right-click and click Configure component to configure both wheels at the same time. Clear the Suppress check boxes for all configurations of both wheels. Click OK.
28 Test configurations.
Activate each configuration in turn. Make sure the wheels appear in all configurations and that the proper plank or side table configurations appear.
29 Save the files.
Save but do not close the assembly.
Information from an Assembly Introducing: AssemblyXpert
Information can be extracted from an assembly to determine some of its parameters such as size, depth and references. For statistics on the quantities of certain types of part components and sub-assemblies, AssemblyXpert can be used. It can also diagnose errors. The report lists information about the: I I I I I
Where to Find It
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130
Number of components Type of components Components status Structure of the assembly Rebuild time for the total assembly
CommandManager: Evaluate > AssemblyXpert Menu: Tools, AssemblyXpert
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 4 Using Configurations with Assemblies
30 AssemblyXpert.
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Activate the RH_Burners
configuration. Click
AssemblyXpert to see information about this configuration of Support_Frame.
Click OK.
What is the Maximum Depth?
The Maximum Depth is the number of levels of subassemblies within the assembly starting with the top level assembly.
1.
2.
3.
4.
31 Save and close the files.
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Using Configurations with Assemblies
When configuring components, the two things you typically set are the Suppression State and the Component Configuration. There are several ways to accomplish these tasks, and often the best way is strictly a matter of convenience.
Note
Options with tooltips that include Unsuppress will work to Resolve a component at the assembly level as well as unsuppress at the part level.
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Summary of Methods to Control Component Configuration and State
Here is a summary of the different methods available: Suppression State
Component Configuration
Configure Component (Using Configure Component on page 123) Component Properties
Suppress , Unsuppress , Unsuppress with Dependents
No equivalent.
Edit, Suppress, [select option]
No equivalent.
Edit, Unsuppress, [select
option]
Edit, Unsuppress with Dependents, [select option]
[This Configuration, All Configurations, or Specified Configurations]
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SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 11 Component Patterning
Exercise 11: Component Patterning
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Complete this assembly using the information and dimensions provided. Add new feature and component patterns. This lab reinforces the following skills: I
Procedure
Component Patterns on page 120
Use the following procedure:
1
Open an assembly file.
Open PatternAssy from the Lesson04\Exercises\ ComponentPattern
folder. This assembly contains Keypad, oriented as shown.
2
Component patterns.
Create Feature Driven Component Patterns for the two components.
3
Save and close the files.
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Using Modify Configurations
Exercise 12: Using Modify Configurations
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Using the assembly provided, create assembly configurations. This lab reinforces the following skills: I I
Procedure
Using Configure Component on page 123 Creating Configurations Manually on page 122
Use the following procedure:
1
Open an assembly file. Open ASSY CONFIGS from the Lesson04\Exercises\ASSY CONFIGS folder. The assembly
represents components of a trailer hitch. This configuration contains all the components that can be used.
2
Configuration Settings.
Create configurations according to the table below. The four names INST-1, INST-2, and so forth, in the left column are configuration names. The top row lists the components in the assembly. Suppress or unsuppress components according to the table.
DRAW BAR
BALL
L-BRACKET
SMALL STRAP
*SUB FACE PLATE
CHAIN HANGER
U BOLT
INST-1
R
R
R
S
S
R
R
INST-2
R
R
R
R
S
R
S
INST-3
R
R
S
S
R
R
S
INST-4
R
R
S
R
S
R
S
Note
S = Suppressed, R = Resolved, * = Sub-assembly
Tip
Remember that you can select multiple components before using Configure component to modify several parameters at one time.
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3
Configurations.
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The configurations should look like those shown below.
4
INST-1
INST-2
INST-3
INST-4
New component.
Add rust cover to the assembly. It is added to all configurations of the assembly.
5
Spherical mating. Add a Concentric mate
between the spherical faces of rust cover and ball. Also, add a Parallel mate to prevent to rust cover from rotating.
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Using Modify Configurations
6
Exploded views.
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Optionally, create exploded views for each of the new configurations.
7
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Save and close the files.
SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 13 Assembly Configurations
Exercise 13: Assembly Configurations
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Create configurations of a assembly. This lab reinforces the following skills: I I
Using Configure Component on page 123 Creating Configurations Manually on page 122
Procedure
Use the following procedure:
Open assembly
The Hand Truck assembly is a hand truck that contains two instances of a sub-assembly and individual component parts.
1
Open an assembly file.
Open Hand Truck from the Lesson04\Exercises\Hand Truck folder.
2
Configure mate. Double-click the Handle_Overlap mate. Right-click the 2" dimension in the graphics area and click Configure dimension.
3
Add configurations.
Add configurations named Setting.02, Setting.04, Setting.06, Setting.08, Setting.10 with dimensions of 2", 4", 6", 8" and 10" respectively.
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Exercise 13
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Assembly Configurations
4
Check configurations.
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Activate each configuration to see the handle move as the dimension changes. The configuration Setting.10 is shown.
5
Manual configuration.
Activate the Setting.06 configuration. Rightclick in the ConfigurationManager and click Add Configuration. Type Standard for the name of the new configuration.
6
Configure components. Use Configure component to suppress both Tire.Pneumatic
components in the Standard configuration.
7
138
Check configuration. The Standard configuration appears as shown.
SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 13 Assembly Configurations
8
Add components.
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Add two instances of Tire.Plastic to the assembly. Mate them to Axle and Axle.Cap.
9
Suppress.
Suppress the components Mounting_Plate, Caster.Assembly and and Hex Nut_AI and for the active configuration Standard.
Sub-assembly Configurations
Configurations of sub-assemblies can be used in the top level assembly by setting them in the Properties of the sub-assembly.
10 Sub-assembly configuration. Use Configure component to select the Simple configuration for the sub-assemblies Leg.Support and for the Standard
configuration.
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Assembly Configurations
Suppress mates by configuration to mate an existing component in a different way.
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Configuring Mates
11 New configuration. Make the Setting.06 configuration active and add a new configuration named Flatbed. 12 Suppress mates.
Suppress the mates Concentric1, Coincident9 and Handle_Overlap for the Flatbed configuration.
Add new mates to connect Handle as shown.
13 Review configurations.
Activate each of the configurations to make sure they all display the assembly properly. Review the FeatureManager design tree to ensure there are no mate errors.
14 Save and close the files.
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Exercise 14 Using Configuration Publisher
Add to this assembly using Configuration Publisher and a Mate Reference.
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Exercise 14: Using Configuration Publisher
Component
This lab reinforces the following skills: I
Adding Mate References on page 68
I
Configuration Publisher on page 128
Open the part Configuration_Publisher from the
Lesson04\Exercises\ Configuration_Publisher folder.
Use this part to create a PropertyManager feature. Use the dialogs at right as a guide.
AcrossFlats@Sketch2 $State@12 Point
CylinderDepth@Cylinder
Add a Mate Reference to the bottom edge of the part.
Assembly
Open Create_Configurations from the Lesson04\Exercises\ Configuration_Publisher folder. Add instances of the part to assembly using the mate reference and PropertyManager in the arrangement shown.
0.53125
0.65625
0.78125
Save and close the files.
Std. 12 Std. 6
Deep 12 Deep 6
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Using Configuration Publisher
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PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e Lesson 5 Display States and Appearances
Upon successful completion of this lesson, you will be able to: I
Understand methods to select components.
I
Create new display states.
I
Change appearances of parts and components.
I
Change the scene.
I
Edit the material.
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Display States and Appearances
Display States
Display States are the visual settings
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counterparts to configurations. Display States set the visibility, color, texture, display mode and transparency of components at the assembly level. A display state is often associated with a specific configuration.
You can create assembly display states by changing the visual properties in the assembly or by specifying the display state of each component. Each instance of a component can use a different display state.
They are also instrumental in working with large assemblies (see Large Assemblies on page 234).
Stored Display States
The display states are stored separately from the configurations under the ConfigurationManager tab, but there is a relationship between them. See Linked Display States on page 154 for more information. Every configuration has at least one display state.
Display States vs. Configurations
Both assembly configurations and display states contribute to the assembly in different ways. Display states capture changes in the appearance of components. Configurations create alternate versions of assemblies by suppression, positioning and differences in mate values. The typical uses of configurations and display states are shown below: Configurations
Suppress/Resolve components I
144
Display States
I
Hide/Show components
I
Part configurations
Appearances (textures and colors)
I
Part material properties
I
Display mode (HLR, Shaded)
I
Component positioning
I
Transparency
I
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 5 Display States and Appearances
The settings can be controlled and visualized through the Display Pane of the FeatureManager design tree. Clicking on the icon in the row with the component name brings up a menu to change it. It can change a component at any level of the assembly.
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Display Pane
The column options include: Option
Icon
Description
Hide and Show
A toggle that can be set to Hide or Show a component.
Display Mode
The display mode sets the display of the individual component to Wireframe , Hidden Lines Visible , Hidden Lines Removed , Shaded With Edges , Shaded or Default Display (of the assembly).
Appearances
Sets the color and appearance using Appearances.
Transparency
Turns component transparency on or off.
Tip
Setting these visibility options can be done through the Display Pane or by right-clicking a component. Regardless of how the setting is created, it is shown in the Display Pane.
Display Pane Icons
The icons used in the display pane are used as both a visual display of the current state and as a method of changing the setting. Most are recognizable icons, but Colors, Textures and RV Colors are not. These options use one or two triangles to represent, for example, the Part Color (lower) and the Component Color (upper) or override.
Tip
Component Color
Part Color
If there is only a single (lower) triangle, the part color is used as the assembly color.
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Display States and Appearances
One way to select options for a component in the Display Pane is to click the icon you want to change in the row of the component you want to change.
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Selecting Display Pane Options
Another way is to right-click on the component row in the Display Pane. This method shows all the options available for that component in one menu.
1
Open an assembly file. Open Light in the Lesson05\Case Study\Display States folder. The
assembly has one configuration with a linked default display state. The display state uses the default settings.
Bulk Selection Tools
There are many Selection Tools available to make component selection in the assembly easier. Many of the tools use bulk selection techniques that are especially valuable in large assemblies.
After the selection is made, use Hide, Show, Suppress or any other component tool.
The results of these selections can be used for many purposes, but those that are stored by the Display State include: I I I I
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Hide/Show Display Mode Appearance or RV Appearance Transparency
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 5 Display States and Appearances
Description
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Method/Where to Find It
Direct Selection Click Select menu or Tools, Component Selection.
Left mouse click selection optionally using CTRL+click and SHIFT+click.
Drag Select Click Select menu or Tools, Component Selection.
Drag select left to right to select everything through the depth that is within, but not crossing, the window boundary.
Drag select right to left to select everything through the depth that is within, and crossing, the window boundary.
Select Hidden Click Select menu or Tools, Component Selection.
Selects all hidden components. They are highlighted in the FeatureManager design tree.
Select Suppressed Click Select menu or Tools, Component Selection.
Selects all suppressed components. They are highlighted in the FeatureManager design tree.
Volume Select Click Select menu or Tools, Component Selection.
Drag select a rectangle and use drag handles to shape it into a selection volume.
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Display States and Appearances
Description
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Method/Where to Find It Select Mated To Click Select menu or Tools, Component Selection.
Selects all the components that are connected to that component by a mate.
Select Internal Components Click Select menu or Tools, Component Selection.
Selects all components inside of other components. They are highlighted in the FeatureManager design tree.
Select Toolbox Click Select menu or Tools, Component Selection.
Selects all components created though the SolidWorks Toolbox add-in.
Advanced Select Click Select menu or Tools, Component Selection.
Selects components using names, properties or envelopes. For more information, see Advanced Select on page 156.
Invert Selection Right-click Invert Selection.
Reverses the selection list from those selected to those that were not.
Isolate
Select the component(s) you wish to show, and the remaining components are hidden in a new display state saved with the button.
Right-click component(s) and select Isolate.
Isolate can be used with other selection options such as Select Hidden, Select Suppressed and Select Mated To.
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Description
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Method/Where to Find It Select Sub Assembly
Right-click the graphics of any component of a sub-assembly and Select Sub Assembly.
Allows you to graphically select a sub-assembly from a component of the sub-assembly.
Assembly > Show Hidden Components
Temporarily shows all hidden components for selection. Select components to show and click Exit Show-Hidden.
Filter with FeatureManager
Components can be filtered by name in the FeatureManager design tree. By default, the filtered components only appear in the graphics window.
Top of FeatureManager design tree.
I I
Click Filter Graphics View (arrow menu) to filter the FeatureManager design tree and the graphics view. Click Filter Hidden/Suppressed Components to show hidden and suppressed components.
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Description
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Method/Where to Find It Tags Use Show/Hide the Tags Dialog to assign tags to
Filter the FeatureManager design tree for Tag names.
components.
Show/Hide the Tags Dialog is
in the lower right corner of the SolidWorks window.
Adding Display States
Display States can be added at any time in the ConfigurationManager. A default numbered name like Display State-4 is created. The new display state is a copy of the current one.
Where to Find It
I I
ConfigurationManager: Right-click and click Add Display State Display Pane: Right-click and click Add Display State
Renaming Display States
Display States are created with default names, but can be renamed descriptively. The name must be unique within the assembly.
Where to Find It
I
ConfigurationManager: Right-click a display state and click Properties
I
Display Pane: Right-click and click Rename Display State
Copying a Display State
When a new display state is added, it copies the active one, similar to configurations. To create a new display state based on the non-active one, select the display state and right-click Copy. Use Ctrl+V or Edit, Paste to paste it.
Procedure
Using the assembly, we will create several display states. This procedure will primarily use hide and show, although color, transparency and component display could be used in the same way.
2
New display state.
Right-click in the ConfigurationManager and click Add Display State. Rename Display State-2 to External_Only.
3
Select hidden. Click Select and Select Internal Components. Four
components are selected: I Battery AA and I I
Miniature Bulb Reflector
Click Hide/Show Components
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Lesson 5 Display States and Appearances
New display state. Activate Display State-1. Add new display states Body and Head.
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4
The Display States toolbar is a pulldown menu that shows the active display state and allows for another to be selected through a pulldown menu.
Display State Toolbar
5
Switch display states.
Select the Body display state from the Display States toolbar or double-click it to activate it.
6
Sub-assembly selection.
Right-click a component of Head_Sub in the graphics area and click Select Sub-Assembly. Hide these components. Drag-select right to left and hide these additional components.
7
Invert selection.
Activate the display state Head. Click Head_Sub in the FeatureManager design tree. Right-click the sub-assembly and click Invert Selection. Hide the selected components.
8
Copy and paste.
Click the Body display state and click Edit, Copy. Click in the ConfigurationManager and click Edit, Paste. Rename the new display state Body_HLR and activate it.
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Display States and Appearances
Set to HLR. Set Holder, Clip and Switch to Hidden Lines Removed.
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9
10 Test display states.
Activate each of the display states to test them. Display State-1 and External_Only appear the same but the internal parts are hidden in External_Only.
Tip
Right-click in the Display Pane to add, activate or rename display states. Activating display states from the Display Pane allows you to see the changes to the components in the Display Pane.
11 Save the file.
Save but do not close the assembly.
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Lesson 5 Display States and Appearances
Configurations and display states work together to support variations in an assembly. This section explores some of the combinations that can be used.
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Configurations and Display States Opening by Configuration/ Display State
Assemblies can be opened directly to a saved configuration and display state using Display States (linked) on the Open dialog.
Tip
One way that Display States speed up the opening of assemblies is to make use of the Do not load hidden components check box on the Open dialog. When this is clicked, any hidden components are not loaded as the assembly is opened, speeding up the process.
12 Review assembly. Activate Display State-1. 13 New configuration.
Create a new configuration named Rotate. The configuration automatically generates a display state that is a copy of the one that was active at creation (Display State-1).
14 Suppress.
Return to the FeatureManager design tree and type clip in the filter. The filter shows only features with those characters. Suppress the Clip_Gap mate and clear the filter by clicking the “x”. Move Clip by dragging as shown.
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Display States and Appearances
Although display states and configuration listings are separate, by default they are connected by using Link Display States to Configurations.
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Linked Display States
I
Click Link Display States to Configurations New display states are added to the active configuration. They appear only when that configuration is selected.
I
Clear Link Display States to Configurations New display states are added and are available to all configurations.
Note
Clearing Link Display States to Configurations at any time makes all display states available for all configurations. Clicking it returns to the default condition. By default there is a display state linked to each configuration.
Where to Find It
I
ConfigurationManager: Link Display States to Configurations
15 Unlinked display states. Make sure the Rotate configuration is active and clear Link Display States to Configurations. This makes all display states available with any configuration. Change to Body_HLR and Body.
Body_HLR
16 Save and close the files.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 5 Display States and Appearances
Overrides allow you to reverse the changes that are made to subassembly components from the top level assembly.
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Overrides for Subassembly Components
Overrides that may have been applied to a sub-assembly (full color) return to the default settings (faded color) of the sub-assembly when Clear Override or Clear All Top Level Overrides are used.
Right-click in the Display Pane on the subassembly line to access component and override options.
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Display States and Appearances
The Advanced Select option allows you to select components based on combinations of one or two categories, conditions and values.
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Advanced Select
Category 1
Category 2
Conditions
Value
Part Mass -- SW Special
None
=, not =, =
Numeric
Part Volume -- SW Special
None
=, not =, =
Numeric
Envelope Select -SW Special
None
is inside, is crossing, is outside
Select envelope part name from pulldown. For more information, see Introducing: Envelopes starting on page 158.
Part is Interior Detail -- SW Special
None
is yes, is no
None
Configuration Name -- SW Special
None
is (exactly), is not, contains
Text
Document Name -SW Special
None
is (exactly), is not, contains
Text
Custom Property
Description, PartNo, Number, Revison etc. Contents from the
=, not =, =, is (exactly), is not, contains, is yes, is no
Text
=, not =
Resolved, lightweight, suppressed, needs rebuild, has errors, has warnings, has failed mates, has mates under defined, has mates - fully defined, has mates - over defined, fixed
Properties.txt
file.
Component Status
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Category 2
Conditions
Value
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Category 1 In-context Relations
Has broken external references, has locked external references
is yes,
Driven by in-context relations to, has driving in-context relations, has mate to part
=
Display
None
=, not =
Wireframe, HLV, HLR, shaded, shaded with edges, default display, hide, show, transparent
File Status
Read only, write access, needs save, out of date
is yes, is no
None
User with write access
=
None
=, not =
File Type
Combining Searches
is no
ToolBox Part, fastener, sheetmetal part, weldment, weld bead, imported geometry, mold part
In addition, multiple searches can used by combining the lines with the selection of And/Or. I I
Saving Searches
None
Using And between searches means that both statements must be true for the selection to work. Using Or between searches means that either statement can be true for the selection to work.
Searches can be saved and used again on different assemblies.
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Display States and Appearances
Zones can be defined in an assembly using special parts called Envelopes. Components in the assembly can be compared with the envelopes to see if they are inside, crossing or outside the envelope volume.
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Envelopes
Introducing: Envelopes
The envelope part appears in the color blue and is transparent. If you use an existing part file as an envelope, the model should be a solid volume.
Envelope selection is based on interference between the functional assembly components and the envelope component. Insert Envelope is used to create or insert a component part for use as an envelope component. The icon for the envelope appears in both the FeatureManager design tree and the ConfigurationManager.
I
Advanced Select can use an envelope and is accessed through the Select menu. See Advanced Select on page 156 for more
information.
I
Select Using Envelope is accessed by
right-clicking the Envelope icon in the ConfigurationManager. It selects components based on their spatial location in reference to the envelope.
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Show/Hide Using Envelope is accessed by
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I
right-clicking the Envelope icon in the ConfigurationManager. It hides or shows components based on their spatial location in reference to the envelope.
Menu: Insert, Envelope, New or From File
Where to Find It
I
Appearances, Materials and Scenes
Appearances and Materials set the color, image (texture) and
optionally mechanical properties of a component. Appearances offer many visual options but only Materials can add mechanical properties. Scenes change the background. There are several methods that change appearances. Method
Appearances
Color/Image
Mapping
Mechanical Properties
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
(menu)
Appearances
(Drag and drop) Edit Material
Appearances Menu
allows you to apply a color or textural The Appearance menu display to a component, face, feature, body or part. The change of appearance can also be configured.
Where to Find It
I
I
Shortcut Menu: Right-click a face, feature, body, part, or component, click Appearances , and click the item to edit Task Pane: Appearances/Scenes tab, drag an appearance onto a component or a scene into the graphics area
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Display States and Appearances
When an appearance is dropped on a face of a part or assembly, the selection dialog appears to select a Face Body Component face, feature, body, part or component. Feature Part
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Application of Appearance
Tip
If the appearance is Alt+dragged and dropped, the Appearances PropertyManager appears. This allows you to make changes to the Color/Image and texture Mapping.
Assembly Level Appearances
At the assembly level, the appearance of the component will override the color of the part. If no component appearance is assigned, the part appearance is used. The Display Pane lists the component color over the part color Display Pane can also set the component or part color.
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. The
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Changes to the appearance of a face, feature, or body are visible only at the part level.
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Part Level Appearances
At the part level, the changes affect face, feature or body depending on the face selected. The hierarchy is shown top to bottom in the list. In this example, the Housing Part color is grey but is overridden by the Feature color (yellow) and the Face color (red).
Note
The Body color can be used when there is a multi-body part.
Using RealView Graphics
Using RealView Graphics toggles advanced shading in real time with supported graphics cards. It is hardware based and dynamic, where PhotoView 360 is software based and static.
1
Open an assembly file.
Open Appearances from the Lesson05\Case Study\Appearances folder. Make the configuration RH_Burners active.
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Display States and Appearances
Changing Scenes
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A Scene changes the background, including the lighting, of the part or assembly.
Where to Find It
I I
2
Heads-up View Toolbar: Apply Scene Task Pane: Appearances/Scenes tab, drag a scene into the graphics area
Scene.
Expand the Scenes folder, then the Basic Scenes folder. Drag the Backdrop - Grey With Overhead Light scene into the graphics area.
3
Choose appearance.
Expand the Appearances folder, then the Plastic and EDM folders.
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Add appearance. Drag the spark erosion plastic blue appearance onto side_table_shelf_for_burner as shown. Select the Part
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4
option.
The part is changed as well as all of the pattern instances.
Note
If the Component option was used, only the component option affects appearance would be changed. Using the Part configurations, and using the Component option affects the display states.
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5
Display pane.
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Expand the Display Pane. The appearance has been applied at the part level to a part inside a sub-assembly.
6
Metals.
Drag the following Metal appearances onto the faces using the Part option.
Chrome, Brushed Chromium Copper, Brushed Copper
Steel, Polished Steel
Steel, Wrought Steel
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Adjusting Texture Maps
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A textured appearance can be modified by using the mapping controls to adjust the way the texture is aligned to the face of the part. This method is also useful when a selection of configurations or display states is needed.
The appearance must be Alt+dragged and dropped to access the mapping options.
Tip
7
Configuration.
Make Planks_Wood the active configuration.
8
Add appearance.
Alt+drag the appearance organic, wood, rosewood, satin finished rosewood onto the Plank1 component.
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Display States and Appearances
Apply at part level. Click Apply at part document level. This applies
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9
the appearance to all instances of this component. Under Display States (linked), click This display state.
10 Mapping. Click the Mapping tab and use these settings: I I I I
Mapping Style = Planar mapping Axis direction = ZX Rotation = 3 degrees Mapping Size = Big mapping size
Click OK.
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11 Display pane.
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Expand the Display Pane. The appearance has been applied to multiple components. Additional display states with different appearances can be added using the same procedure.
Materials
Adding Materials changes the appearance of the part as well as adding mechanical properties and a crosshatch pattern. Materials are required for simulation applications. Each material includes the following data:
Properties - The mechanical properties of the material. I Appearance - The color and texture of the material. I CrossHatch - The crosshatch pattern for sections of the material. I Custom - Custom properties (text) specific to the material. I Application Data - Notes (text) that are relevant to the material. I Favorites - A list of often used materials that appear on the Edit Material or Material pulldown menu. Materials can be added or deleted I
from the list.
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Where to Find It
I
Shortcut Menu: Right-click the component and click Material, Edit Material
Menu: Select a component and click Edit, Appearance, Material
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Tip
Editing the Material of a part or assembly applies a color and texture to it. It will not override the appearance that is applied to the component.
Note
You can add your own materials to the Custom Materials folder.
12 Select components.
Select the following components: I I I
Support_Leg and Brace_Cross_Bar Brace_Corner and
13 Material.
Right-click and click Material, Edit Material. Expand SolidWorks Materials and Steel. Select Galvanized Steel, click Apply and Close.
14 Save and close the files.
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Exercise 15 Display States
Exercise 15: Display States
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Complete this assembly by creating display states. This lab uses the following skills: I I I
Adding Display States on page 150 Copying a Display State on page 150 Renaming Display States on page 150
Units: millimeters
1
Open an assembly file. Open DT&PC from the Lesson05\Exercises\Display States 1
folder.
2
Create display states.
Create the following assembly display states. Make sure the display states are visible in all configurations. HLR
Trans
HLR-No Hardware
Open
Highlighted
3
Save and close the files.
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Display States, Appearances and Materials
Complete this assembly by creating new display states and adding appearances and materials.
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Exercise 16: Display States, Appearances and Materials
This lab uses the following skills: I I I
Adding Display States on page 150 Appearances, Materials and Scenes on page 159. Materials on page 167
Units: millimeters
Procedure
Open the assembly Display States 2. Add the materials and display states using the information listed.
Materials
Add the following materials to these components: (Steel) AISI 304
(Copper Alloys) Brass
Display States
(Steel) Alloy Steel(SS)
Add the following display states using these names and changes:
PIN_FRONT
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(Aluminum) 1060 Alloy
NO_HARDWARE
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Exercise 16 Display States, Appearances and Materials
HLR
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PIN_REAR
COLORS
Note
*TEXTURES
*For the TEXTURES display state, apply the following appearances to the components listed:
Component
Appearance
Gear, Oil Pump Driven
brushed brass
Housing and Cover
brushed aluminum
All hardware
carbon steel
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Display States, Appearances and Materials
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PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e Lesson 6 Assembly Editing
Upon successful completion of this lesson, you will be able to: I
Find and fix errors in the assembly.
I
Gather information about the assembly.
I
Create features that represent post-assembly machining operations.
I
Replace and modify components in an assembly.
I
Mirror components in an assembly.
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Assembly Editing
Like part editing, assembly editing has specific tools to aid in repairing errors and problems. Some tools are common to both parts and assemblies and were covered in basic course SolidWorks Essentials. They are not repeated here.
Key Topics
Some of the key topics in this lesson are shown in the following list. Each of these topics corresponds to a section in the lesson.
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Assembly Editing
I
Assembly Features
An assembly feature is a feature which exists only in the assembly. This includes cuts, holes, fillets, chamfers, etc. Assembly features often represent post-assembly machining operations.
I
Replacing and Modifying Components
When an assembly is open, there are a number of techniques you can use to replace or modify components. These include File, Save As, Replace Components and Reload.
I
Troubleshooting an Assembly
Mates are treated as features in the FeatureManager design tree and are edited using Edit Feature. Mates can have several problems. Chief among them are missing references (faces, edges, planes) and over defined status.
Over defined components in an assembly are the 3D analogy of an over defined sketch. Using the same notation, the plus sign (+), they indicate that the component or mate has conflicting mates applied to it.
I
Information From an Assembly
If you are unsure where all the components used in your assembly reside, Find References will locate them and provide an option for copying them.
I
Controlling Dimensions in an Assembly
To capture design intent, dimensions can be controlled using in-context features, global variables, or equations.
I
Mirroring Components
Many assemblies have some degree of left-right symmetry. Components and sub-assemblies can be mirrored to reverse their orientation. This can also generate “opposite hand” parts.
Editing Activities
Assembly editing covers a wide range of operations from repairing errors to extracting information and making design changes. This section will discuss how to perform each of these operations.
Design Changes
Making design changes to an assembly can range from changing the value of a distance mate to replacing one component with another. You can modify the dimensions of individual components, model in-context features, or you can create assembly features to represent postassembly machining operations.
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Finding and repairing problems in an assembly is a key skill in SolidWorks. Problems can occur in mates, assembly features or in the component parts and sub-assemblies referenced by the assembly. Common problems, such as an over defined component, can trigger many more error messages and cause the assembly to stop solving the mates. Several common errors and their solutions are presented here.
Information From an Assembly
Nondestructive testing of an assembly can yield many important insights as to how the assembly, and the components that comprise it, were created. It is also important to find potential problems such as interferences.
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Finding and Repairing Problems
1
Open an assembly file.
Open Edit_Assembly from the Lesson06\Case Study\Editing folder.
The Hole Wizard
You can add any Hole Wizard hole as an assembly feature that extends through more than one component.
Where to Find It
I
CommandManager: Assembly > Assembly Features
I
Wizard Menu: Insert, Assembly Feature, Hole, Wizard
Tip
> Hole
We are not creating a Hole Series as we did in Lesson 2: Assembly Features and Smart Fasteners. Using the Hole Wizard at the assembly level creates holes that exist only in the assembly.
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Hole Wizard.
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2
Select the face indicated below and click Hole Wizard .
Set the Hole Specification as follows: I I I I I
Tap Standard: Ansi Metric Type: Bottoming Tapped Hole Size: M6x1.0 End Condition: Blind 15mm
The Feature Scope controls which components are acted upon by the assembly feature. You can set the feature scope before or after you create the assembly feature.
Introducing: Feature Scope
If you do not specify the feature scope at creation of the assembly feature, SolidWorks selects appropriate components in the assembly based on their position relative to the placement point(s).
3
Feature Scope.
Expand the Feature Scope area of the dialog. The choices include All components and Selected components, with the option for Auto-select. The default settings, Selected components and Auto-select, are acceptable for now.
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Locate hole centers. Click on the Positions tab of the dialog. Create sketch points as shown. Click OK.
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4
In this example, bracket and table are selected by the feature scope.
Note
5
Resulting holes.
Two holes are added. A single feature appears as the last feature in the FeatureManager design tree as a Tapped Hole feature.
6
Components. Open bracket and table. The holes do not
appear.
Close both parts.
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Assembly Editing
Changes to the assembly feature can fall into two categories: changes to the feature itself (its sketch or end conditions, for example) and changes to the Feature Scope. It can be modified to be an in-context feature that exists in both parts like a hole series feature.
Where to Find It
I
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Assembly Feature Changes
Shortcut Menu: Right-click the assembly feature and click Edit
Feature
7
Edit the Feature Scope.
Edit the hole feature. In the Feature Scope area of the dialog, click Propagate feature to parts. Click OK. The parts now share the hole feature.
8
Save the file.
Converting Parts and Assemblies
There are several methods that convert parts into assemblies or assemblies into parts. These methods offer techniques to accomplish many unique design tasks.
Parts into Assemblies
Using a part to create an assembly can offer a simpler method of modeling that avoids mates and inserting parts. It is useful for industrial design.
Split Part
Use Split Part to break a single solid body part into a multi body part and optionally an assembly.
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There are performance advantages associated with using a part in place of an assembly. For example, if it is known that a particular subassembly is not going to change, it could be replaced with a part in a larger assembly. Weldments appear in a BOM as a single part but may be created with multiple parts.
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Assemblies into Parts
Joined Components
Multiple part components in an assembly can be joined into a single part using Join. This results in a part that references an assembly and multiple parts.
Save As Part
Save As can combine an assembly into a part. Options include
selection of only outside faces/components or all. Saving as a part creates a part that references an assembly and multiple parts.
Parts into Parts
Another approach to creating weldments or FEM models is to use multi bodies to turn multiple parts into a single one.
Multibodies
Use Insert Part, Move/Copy Bodies and Combine to turn multiple solid bodies into a single body part. Using insert part and combine results in a part that references multiple parts.
Replacing Parts with Assemblies
Component parts can be replaced with assemblies using Replace Component (see Replacing a Single Instance on page 181). The same
procedure can be used in reverse to replace an assembly with a part, or to replace an assembly with another assembly.
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Assembly Editing
Components can be replaced in an open assembly using either of the following techniques, Save As, Reload or Replace Components.
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Replacing and Modifying Components
Technique
Save As
Description
If you are editing a part in the context of an assembly, or if you have a part and the assembly open at the same time, using Save As to rename the part will cause the new version to replace the original in the assembly. If there are multiple instances of that component, they will all be replaced. The system will issue a warning message alerting you that this will happen. If you do not want to replace the component, click the Save as copy option on the Save As dialog. See Replacing Components Using Save As on page 189 for an example.
Reload and Replace Components
Working in a Multiuser Environment
The Reload and Replace Components options refresh or replace all instances or selected instances of a selected component with a lastsaved or read-only version or a different component entirely. Reload will preserve all mate information. When you replace a component in an assembly, the system will try to preserve the mates. If the names of the entities referenced by the mate remain the same, the mates will be preserved when the component is reloaded or replaced.
For other people to make changes to components that are in an assembly you are working on, they must have write access to those components. That means you must have read-only access.
When an assembly is opened, the latest saved version of its components is displayed. Once the assembly is open and you make changes to its components, you are asked whether you want to rebuild the assembly whenever you switch back to the assembly window. This lets you keep your display of the assembly up-to-date. However, if other people make changes to the parts in your assembly, those changes are not displayed automatically. This is an important consideration when working in a multi-user environment.
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If you have read-only files in your assembly, the command Check Read-only Files checks if files have been made available for write access or have changed on disk since the last reload. A message appears if the files did not change, and the Reload dialog box appears if any files changed.
For more on multi-user environments and collaborative file sharing, see the SolidWorks File Management training manual.
Introducing: Replace Components
Replace Components removes a component or an instance of a
Where to Find It
I
component in the assembly and replace it with another component.
I
Menu: File, Replace Shortcut Menu: Right-click the component and click Replace Components
Using Replace Components
In the Replace Components dialog, the selected component appears under Replace these Component(s); others may be added as well. Use the All instances check box if required. Browse for a file to substitute a different component for the original in the With this one field. Replace Components will affect selected or all instances of that component in the active assembly. If you want to replace a component with a modified version of that same component, follow these rules for best results: I I
Make a copy of the component, either in Windows Explorer, or by using File, Save As and, if necessary, the Save as copy option. Make the desired modifications to the part.
For best results in preserving the mates, the replacement component should be similar in topology and shape to the one being replaced. If the names of the entities referenced by the mate remain the same, the mates will be preserved when the component is replaced. Caution: Any changes to an unsaved file are lost when it is reloaded.
Replacing a Single Instance
To replace just one instance of a component, Replace Components must be used. The Save As method will replace all instances.
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Assembly Editing
SolidWorks limits the length of long pull-downs by showing only a limited set of options.
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Hidden Options
The Replace Components option is one of these hidden options. Right-clicking a component will not display this option unless the pulldown is expanded by clicking the double chevron symbol. To force options to appear by default, click Customize Menu and click the appropriate checkbox in the left column.
9
Replace component.
Right-click Pin from the FeatureManager design tree and click Replace Components. The selected instance is listed in the Replace these component(s) field. Clear the All instances box and click Re-attach mates.
10 Browse. Click Browse, select the part T_Pin, and select Open.
Click OK. The Mated Entities dialog appears.
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Although the component instance is replaced, there are mate errors. The problem is that the internal ID’s of the geometry are different.
Mate Errors
Mate errors for all components appear within the mate folder of the assembly and the mate folder of each component.
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Troubleshooting an Assembly
Errors can occur due to several different conditions. When the FeatureManager design tree is expanded, you can see the differences in the display of the mates. In this case, the mates have Missing References. Several types of mate errors are described below.
Condition
Description
Solution
Missing Reference
The mate cannot find one or both of its references. This could mean that the referenced component has been suppressed, deleted or changed enough that the mate cannot be solved. This is similar to a dangling dimension in a sketch.
These problems are usually repaired by selecting a replacement reference.
Over Defined
The mates have both the error marker and the plus sign (+) prefix, meaning they are both over defining and unsatisfied. Example error message could read:
Delete or edit the mate that caused the problem. The best practice is to take care of over defined mates when they occur, not later.
Coincident74: Planar faces are not parallel. Angle is 90deg.
The over defined mates relate directly to an over defined component which is also marked with the plus sign.
Warning
A Warning is applied to mates that are satisfied but are over defining the assembly. The error message reads:
Delete or edit the over defining mate.
Distance1: Warning: This mate is over defining the assembly. Consider deleting some of the over defining mates.
Suppressed
Suppressed mates are not really errors, but they can cause problems if they are forgotten. When a mate is suppressed, it appears grayed out in the FeatureManager design tree and it is not solved.
Automatic Repairs
Unsuppress the mate.
When changes are being made to a mate, other mates can be affected. A common issue is that the alignment must be flipped to prevent further errors. In these cases, SolidWorks may reverse the alignment automatically and open a message dialog: The alignment of the following mates was reversed to prevent mate errors:
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Assembly Editing
The Mated Entities tool replaces any reference in a mate. It includes a preview to show the replacement faces and a pop-up dialog to isolate components or delete mates. It also has a filter that shows only dangling mates that need repair. It is used with Replace Components and Re-attach Mates.
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Mated Entities
Tip
The references used in a mate can be highlighted in the graphics window with a single-click on the mate. For mates that contain dimensions (distance and angle), double-clicking the mate displays the dimension so it can be edited.
Where to Find It
I
Shortcut Menu: Right-click a mate or the mate group and click
I
Replace Mate Entities Replace PropertyManager: Select Re-attach Mates
Note
As you would expect, Edit Feature edits the references of a mate. The same interface used with Insert, Mate is used for editing. On the mates with errors, one of the references is listed as **Invalid**. Once the mate is repaired, you can also change the mate type. For example, a mate between planar faces could be changed from Coincident to Parallel, Perpendicular, Distance or Angle.
11 Mated entities. The Mated Entities dialog appears to assist in re-attaching the failed
mates. Expand the mates and select the replacement faces for each one. As they are replaced, a green check mark appears. Click OK.
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The completed replacement has no mate errors and functions similar to the original part. More information regarding mate and component errors is discussed in the following section.
Over Defined Mates and Components
Finding the cause of an over defined assembly is not always easy because there can be two or more conflicting mates. All the over defined mates will appear with error markers and the (+) prefix, which will help in narrowing down the choices. When mates conflict, one approach is to suppress the over defining mates one at a time, until the assembly is no longer over defined. This can help you identify the cause of the conflict. Once you have done this, you can either delete the offending mates, or redefine them using different references.
Geometry is Important
Underlying errors in the accuracy of the geometric models can also be a cause of over defined mates. For example, consider what would happen if you mated the sides of a simple box to the three default reference planes in an assembly. Three coincident mates should fully define the component. However, if the sides of the box do not meet at 90° angles, even if they were off by only a fraction of a degree, the assembly will be over defined. Unless you check the accuracy of the underlying geometry, you will have a difficult time solving the problem.
Finding an Over Defining Mate
Finding the mate that is the cause of an over defined assembly can be difficult in a large assembly with many mates. One way is to look at the components listed in the mate. Another choice is to use View Mates and Dependencies and look at the FeatureManager design tree from the perspective of the mates rather than the features.
Best Practice
Fix errors as they occur.
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12 Add mate.
To demonstrate what happens when a mate over defines the assembly, add a Distance mate of 10mm between the faces of the components, as shown.
13 Forcing the mate to solve. When you add the Distance mate, a message appears:
The selected mate could not be successfully added. Would you like to force this mate to solve? (Other mates will be broken, and will be shown with red errors).
Add the mate by clicking OK in the Mate dialog and Yes in the warning message.
14 Error flags. In Mates, again we see all the mates that are
conflicted as a result of the new mate.
Mates which are not satisfied are highlighted error flag. with a red (X) Mates which are satisfied, but which over define the assembly, are highlighted with a yellow exclamation point warning flag.
Components in the assembly are now also over defined. These are prefixed with the plus (+) symbol. For more information, see Mate Errors on page 183.
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MateXpert
MateXpert is a tool that enables you to identify mating problems in an
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assembly. You can examine the details of mates that are not satisfied, and identify groups of mates which over define the assembly.
Where to Find It
I I
Tip
Menu: Tools, MateXpert Shortcut Menu: Right-click the assembly, mate group, or any mate in the mate group, and click MateXpert
In general, when diagnosing mate problems, it is best to start at the bottom of the mate group and try these operations on the lowest flagged mate first, then work your way up as necessary.
15 Analyze the Mates folder. Right-click the Mates folder and click MateXpert. The MateXpert PropertyManager
appears.
Under Analyze Problem, click Diagnose.
16 Results.
The set of over defined mates is listed. Mates that are not satisfied are shown in bold.
17 More information. Under Not Satisfied Mates,
click on the concentric mate; the message indicates that the cylinders are not concentric. Further, the entities referenced by the mate are highlighted in the graphics area.
Click OK to close the MateXpert.
Note
The graphics clearly show what forcing the mate to solve did to the assembly. Clamp and T_Pin no longer line up.
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Assembly Editing
Use View Mates to display a pop-up dialog with mates for a component, sort out error mates and display graphic tags of each one. The graphic tags include interactive menu buttons to repair the mates.
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Introducing: View Mates
Where to Find It
I
Shortcut Menu: Right-click a component and click View Mates
18 View mate errors. Right-click scale and click View Mates. The other components become transparent. Click the Scale_End mate in the pop-up dialog
and review the tag that appears.
Mate Error Tags
The tags attached to the mates are designed to provide information and editing capabilities.
State Type Name
Suppress Edit Flip Dimension
Flip Mate Alignment
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19 Suppress. Click the Suppress button on the Scale_End mate. The mates return
to solving and the errors are removed.
20 Delete mate. Type scale in the FeatureManager
design tree to filter as shown. Rightclick the Scale_End mate and click Delete. Leave the assembly open.
Replacing Components Using Save As
The Save As option was mentioned earlier in this lesson as a method of replacing components in the assembly. This method enables you to create a replacement part that is a modified version of an existing part.
1
Open a part file. Open head from the Lesson06\Case Study\Editing. You will use
this part to create a similar part under a different name.
2
Add fillets.
Add the 3mm radii fillets then the 5mm radii fillets to all the similar edges as shown.
3
R5
R3
Save As.
Click File, Save As. A message appears warning you that the head part is being referenced by other open documents and that using Save As will replace these references with the new name.
4
Save anyway. Click OK to the message and save the modified part as revised_head. Do not use Save as copy.
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Assembly Editing
5
Replacement completed.
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Return to the assembly level. The modified part, revised_head has replaced head without causing mate errors.
Note
If we had checked Save as copy on the Save As dialog box, the replacement would not have occurred.
Mirroring Components
Many assemblies have some degree of left-right symmetry. Components and sub-assemblies can be mirrored to reverse their orientation. This can also generate “opposite hand” parts. When you mirror components in an assembly, they fall into two categories: I
I
Those parts whose orientation in the assembly is mirrored and whose geometry is also mirrored – they have right and left-hand versions. Those parts whose orientation in the assembly is mirrored but whose geometry is not – hardware, for example.
Introducing: Mirror Components
Mirror Components enables you to generate an “opposite hand”
Where to Find It
I
CommandManager: Assembly > Linear Component Pattern
I
Menu: Insert, Mirror Components
component or sub-assembly at the assembly level. Options allow for simply reversing or mirroring components.
> Mirror Components
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Mirroring an assembly has the potential to create a lot of new files – one for the assembly, and one for every mirrored (not copied) component. It is recommended that you set Tools, Options, System Options, Default Templates to always use the templates specified in the search path. Otherwise, you will be prompted to select a template for every new file – and that could get tedious.
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Default Templates
6
Selections. Click Mirror Components
. The PropertyManager is a wizard that contains several sequential pages.
Click Right Plane of the assembly as the Mirror plane. Select pillar, T_Pin and clamp under Components to Mirror. Click Next
Mirroring or Copying
.
This dialog box enables you to specify which components are mirrored and which are copied. The geometry of a mirrored component changes to create a truly mirrored component. Starting with a right-hand version of a part, this yields a left-hand version. The geometry of a copied component is unchanged, only the orientation changes.
7
Set orientation.
Select clamp, then click Create opposite hand version.
Select pillar and T_Pin and observe the preview in the graphics area. If it were necessary, you could click or to reorient a copied component.
Tip
You can right-click components in the Orient Components list, and access additional selection options. These options are shortcuts for selecting multiple components based on specific criteria. Click Next
.
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Assembly Editing
8
Filenames.
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Enter the name for the mirrored component. Use the suffix -Mirror. Click Place files in one folder, then click Choose..., and select the directory in which to save the mirrored components. Browse to the current case study folder and create a new folder named Mirrorclamp. Click OK.
9
Review.
The mirrored and copied components appear as shown.
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. Create a rectangular cut
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10 Changes to a part. Right-click bracket and click Open Part
similar to the one shown below. Do not save.
11 Close without saving.
Close the part. A message appears:
Note: Because this document is open in another window, any changes made since the last save will still appear there, even though you are not saving them in bracket.sldprt. You can keep the changes in the assembly, or discard them to revert to the last-saved version of bracket.sldprt. Do you want to keep or discard changes in the assembly?
Click Keep.
Click Yes to update the assembly.
Even though the changes were not saved, the bracket shows the changes.
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Assembly Editing
The Reload dialog allows selection of specific components to reload or switch from read/write to read-only access or vice-versa.
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Reloading Components Introducing: Reload
The functionality of Reload includes: I I
I
Where to Find It
I I
Discard changes on selected components or an entire assembly and reopen from its last saved state. Manage changes in read/write access. Note that changing read/ write access does not always require the file to be reloaded. If another user has saved changes to a file after you last loaded the file, the file must be reloaded to gain write access. Reloading a file or changing its read/write access reloads or changes read/write access for all instances of that file. Update the assembly to reflect any changes other people have made to the components. Shortcut Menu: Right-click a component and click Reload. This allows you to reload only the selected component. Menu: File, Reload. This allows you to reload any or all components in the assembly.
12 Reload.
Right-click bracket and click Reload. The dialog indicates the file to reload. In the case of an assembly, the top-level file is displayed by default. It is implied that all reference files (components) will be reloaded as well. Click OK.
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13 Reloaded.
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The original part is reloaded to the assembly.
14 Save and close the files.
Hole Alignment
The Hole Alignment tool checks assembly holes for misalignment based on a Hole Center Deviation value.
Where to Find It
I I
1
CommandManager: Evaluate > Hole Alignment Menu: Tools, Hole Alignment
Open an assembly file.
Open Hole_Alignment from the
Lesson06\Case Study\Hole Alignment
folder.
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Assembly Editing
Calculate. Click Hole Alignment and leave the Hole center deviation at the default 10mm. Click Calculate.
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2
3
Results. In the Results box, there are
four entries because there are four almost concentric holes.
Expand the first Maximum Deviation folder for the first entry. It includes the two holes that are compared and the deviation between the centers.
4
Zoom.
Change to a Front view. Right-click the red entry and select Zoom to selection for a closer look at the deviation. Click OK.
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An important part of capturing design intent is making sure that the objects you build are the right size and are positioned correctly in the assembly. Dimensions can be controlled three ways in an assembly:
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Controlling Dimensions in an Assembly
I I I
In-context features Global variables Equations
Each of these techniques has advantages and disadvantages. We have already explored in-context features. We will now look at global variables and equations.
Global Variables
You can create global variables to use in equations and to force two or more dimensions to have the same value. Global variables appear in quotes in equations. For example, D1@
[email protected] = “Length” uses the variable named Length.
Assembly Equations
Algebraic equations control dimensions inside an assembly. The equation dialog boxes and options are the same in an assembly as in a part. Some examples of good uses of assembly equations are: I I I
Dimension Names in an Assembly
There is some difference between dimension names at the part level and at the assembly level. The assembly level adds another piece of information: the name of the part in which the dimension resides. I I
Adding Equations
Controlling dimensions of assembly features Controlling mate values such as angle or distance mates Controlling the suppression state of components
Name within the part: D1@Sketch5 Name within the assembly: D1@
[email protected]
Assembly equations can use dimensions from assembly features or mates, parts, or global variables. To add equations in an assembly, you must search through parts, then the features within that part to find the dimension you want. As always, it is good practice to change the default names into something meaningful.
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Assembly Editing
Review dimensions. Open the part Rect and edit Sketch13 of the Ø6.0 (6) Diameter Hole1 feature.
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5
Notice the dimension values 31 and 32 are not equal.
6
Global variable.
Double-click the 31mm dimension.
In the Modify dialog box, type =”Centers” then click the icon to create a global variable.
7
Link value.
Double-click the 32mm dimension.
In the Modify dialog box, type = then select the variable, Centers, from the list. The dimensions are now equal and driven by the value of the global variable. Exit the sketch.
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Equation
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The equation relates the radius of the bolt circle in Rect to the linked values in Circ. Changes in the linked value dimensions will drive changes in the radius. Radius
Linked values
The equation is:
R =
2 × L2
R = Radius dimension in Rect. L = Linked values in Circ.
8
Add equation.
Return to the assembly. Click Tools, Equations.
On the Equations, Global Variables, and Dimensions dialog box, click Add equation under Equations - Components.
9
Add dimension.
Double-click the Ø6.0 (6) Diameter Hole1 feature of the Circ part and click the radial dimension.
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Assembly Editing
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10 Function. Click Functions, sqr().
The cursor sits between the parentheses.
11 Complete the equation. Click or type 2 *.
Double-click the Ø6.0 (6) Diameter Hole1 feature of the Rect part and click on either linked dimension.
Click or type ^ 2 to complete the equation and click OK.
The Evaluates to column states that the value is 43.841mm.
Click OK on the Equations, Global Variables, and Dimensions dialog box.
12 Rebuild.
Rebuild the assembly to apply the changes. The holes change position.
13 Check. Click Hole Alignment
Note
The Equations-> folder has an external reference marker due to the dimensions from different parts in the same equation.
14 Save and close the files.
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again to make sure there is no misalignment.
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Lesson 6 Assembly Editing
Sensors
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Sensors monitor specific properties of a part or assembly. When the values change and fall outside the specified parameters, an Alert can be
triggered. The sensor types include: Simulation Data, Mass Properties, Dimension, Measurement, Interference Detection, and Proximity.
Where to Find It
I I
Procedure
CommandManager: Evaluate > Sensor Shortcut Menu: Right-click the Sensors folder and click Add Sensor or Notifications
In this example, a sensor monitors the gap between the HD_Washer and the HD_Arm components. If the gap becomes less than 0.5mm, the alert will be triggered.
1
Open an assembly file.
Open Sensors from the
Lesson06\Case Study\Sensors
folder.
Dimension
When using a Dimension sensor type, a reference dimension is used as the basis for the sensor.
Examine this reference dimension. It has been placed between the planar faces of HD_Washer and HD_Arm to monitor the gap.
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Assembly Editing
Add sensor.
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2
Right-click the Sensors folder and click Add Sensor. Click Sensor Type: Dimension and select the dimension. Click Alert and is less than 0.5. Click OK.
The sensor is added to the Sensors folder.
3
Notifications.
Right-click the Sensors folder and click Notifications. Make the selections shown for triggering alerts and warnings. Click OK.
4
Changes.
Open either HD_Washer part and change the value in the Extrude2 feature to 2.75mm as shown. Save and close the part.
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5
Alert.
a few times to trigger the alert after 5 rebuilds. The What’s Wrong dialog states:
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Click Rebuild
The following sensors have triggered alerts: Dimension1: 0.313mm < 0.5
Close the What’s Wrong dialog.
6
Change.
Change the value in the Extrude2 feature to 2.50mm as shown. This will turn off the alert.
7
Save and close the files.
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Assembly Editing
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SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 17 Assembly Errors
Exercise 17: Assembly Errors
Repair and change this assembly.
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This lab uses the following skills: I I I I
Design Intent
Editing Activities on page 174 Finding and Repairing Problems on page 175 Replacing and Modifying Components on page 180 Mate Errors on page 183
The assembly you will open was saved with a number of errors. Repair the assembly in such a way that you capture and maintain the following design intent: 1. The Brace_New components are centered with respect to the hole in the End Connect components. 2. The edges of the End Connect components are flush with the front edge of Rect Base.
Procedure
Use the following procedure:
1
Open an assembly file. Open assy_errors_lab from the Lesson06\Exercises\ Assy Errors folder.
2
Mate errors. Expand Mates to see the
errors. There are two conflicting mates that over define End Connect and Brace_New.
Delete the one mate to rectify the over defined condition and to properly capture the design intent.
3
Interference checking.
Select the entire assembly and check for interferences. There should be one interference.
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Assembly Errors
4
Edit the mate.
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Edit the failed mate (Coincident17) to both repair it and eliminate the interference. When you edit the definition of the mate, pay attention to the alignment condition; enable Preview of the mate before you apply it.
Tip
The assembly should look like the illustration above, in the top view orientation, with no errors.
5
Find and edit mate.
Right-click the top level icon in the FeatureManager design tree and click Tree Display, View Mates and Dependencies.
Find the mate that is responsible for Brace_New being off center.
Edit the mate so that Brace_New is positioned according to the design intent.
6
Replace components. Replace both End Connect
components with components named new_end.
7
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Save and close the files.
SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 18 Sensors and Assembly Equations
Exercise 18: Sensors and Assembly Equations
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Create a sensor and an equation for this existing assembly to control the length of a component. This lab uses the following skills: I I I
Procedure
Editing Activities on page 174 Assembly Equations on page 197 Sensors on page 201
Use the following procedure:
1
Open an assembly file. Open assy_eq from the Lesson06\Exercises\assy equations
folder.
2
Hide components.
Hide all components except those shown at the right.
3
Check for interference.
Check for interference between all components.
4
Change.
Change the length of Cross Bar to 64mm and check for interferences.
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Sensors and Assembly Equations
5
Reference dimension.
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Add the reference dimension shown between planar faces of the model.
6
Sensor.
Create a sensor to check that the gap does not drop below 0.30mm. Change the length of Cross Bar to 66mm. The sensor alert will activate. Although the sensor will alert, it cannot prevent the gap from being violated. Delete the sensor and dimension.
7
Edit the Cross Bar.
Edit the definition of Cross Bar so that it is modeled as an in-context part. The design intent is such that there is exactly 0.30mm of clearance between the ends of Cross Bar and the inside of UBracket.
8
Link values.
Use global variables to make sure the two clearance values are always equal. Use the name Clearance.
Add a reference dimension that shows the overall length of the part.
9
Rebuild the model.
Rebuild and return to Edit Assembly mode.
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0.30mm gap each end
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Exercise 18 Sensors and Assembly Equations
10 Test.
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Test the in-context feature by changing the width of UBracket to 90mm. No interference should exist between the components and the proper clearance should be maintained.
11 Edit the mate. Find the Coincident mate that is between Spindle Washer and UBracket. Change it to a Distance
mate.
Set the distance under the washer at 6mm and rename the mate to WasherGap.
12 Equation.
Write an equation that drives the value of the distance mate so that it is equal to the clearance between the end of Cross Bar and the inside of UBracket. Create the equation by selecting the appropriate dimensions rather than by typing the equation shown below. The equation is provided for reference. "D1@WasherGap" = "Clearance@Base-Extrude@Cross Bar.Part"
Rebuild the model. The gap between Spindle Washer and UBracket should now be 0.30mm.
13 Test.
Change the clearance between Cross Bar and UBracket to 0.20mm. Rebuild the model. The distance mate should update accordingly.
14 Save and close the files.
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Mirror Component
Exercise 19: Mirror Component
Mirror and edit a sub-assembly.
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This lab uses the following skills: I
1
Mirroring Components on page 190
Open an assembly file.
Open FoldingPlatform from the Lesson06\Exercises\ MirrorComp folder.
2
Mirror components.
Mirror the LeftSideSub sub-assembly. I I I I
Use the Right plane of the assembly as the Mirror plane. Create opposite hand versions for all of the sub-assembly components except for the rivets. Reorient the rivets until the preview is correct. Accept the default name of the new sub-assembly and new components to add the prefix, Mirror.
If you properly mirror the sub-assembly, then all the mates are re-created for you.
3
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Save and close the files.
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e Lesson 7 Layout-based Assembly Design
Upon successful completion of this lesson, you will be able to: I
Create a layout sketch in an assembly.
I
Build sketches into blocks.
I
Use a layout sketch to show an animation.
I
Create part components from blocks.
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Layout-based Assembly Design
Layout-based assembly design creates full solid model assemblies based on sketch blocks. The sketch geometry of the blocks creates the parts and transfers the animation.
Key Topics
Some of the key topics in this lesson are shown in the following list.
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Layout-based Assembly Design
I
Layout-based Assembly Design
Using an assembly layout sketch, use blocks to represent the motion of an assembly.
I
Creating Blocks
Create blocks from sketch geometry and connect them to form an assembly.
I
Inserting Blocks
Blocks can be saved to an external file (*.sldblk) and inserted into any layout sketch.
I
Using Layout Sketches to Place Components
Place existing components relative to layout sketch geometry after you verify relations and movement among the sketch blocks.
The Layout
Using Layout-Based Assembly Design, you can go directly from an assembly sketch to the full assembly. Starting with a new assembly Layout, sketch geometry is turned into blocks and connected with relations to simulate an animation. The block geometry can then form component parts with the same motion as the original blocks.
Where to Find It
I
212
Begin Assembly PropertyManager: Create Layout
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 7 Layout-based Assembly Design
Procedure
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The process includes making blocks, adding relations and positioning them in an assembly to display movement. Then, convert the blocks into part models in the same layout assembly.
1
New assembly.
Create a new assembly in millimeters and click Create Layout.
2
Review layout.
A Layout sketch is created and opened in the assembly. This is a 3D sketch.
Are You In Layout Mode?
If you are in Layout mode, the Confirmation Corner shows the layout symbol. To get into layout mode, right-click the top level component and click Layout.
Blocks
Blocks allow you to group multiple pieces of sketch geometry and dimensions together so that they move as one in a sketch. This is useful in testing 2D mechanisms. Sketch blocks in layouts can create in-context parts.
Using Local Blocks
Local Blocks are those that are created and remain in the same sketch.
Creating a Block
Using sketch geometry, create the geometry of the block. Select the geometry and use Make Block to convert the geometry into a single piece block.
Note
The block geometry can be as simple as required to make the connections between blocks. It can also be more complex to save time when it forms a part.
Where to Find It
I I I
CommandManager: Layout > Make Block Menu: Tools, Blocks, Make Shortcut Menu: Right-click the geometry and click Make Block
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Layout-based Assembly Design
Sketch geometry.
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3
Create the sketch geometry for the block.
The block geometry can be attached to the origin like a standard sketch or remain some distance from it.
Note
4
Make block.
Select the geometry and dimensions of the sketch and click Make Block .
Click in the Insertion Point group box, drag and drop the Manipulator (blue axes) to the endpoint as shown. Click OK.
5
Relations.
Add relations to the block:
I Drag the vertex between the endpoint of the 50mm and 42mm lines so it is Coincident with the Origin. I Place a Horizontal relation on the 42mm line.
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6
Rename.
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Rename the block using a slow double-click or click and then press the F2 key. Type the name Base.
7
Create another block.
Create the rectangle, centerline, and two sketch points shown below for a new block. Place the manipulator as shown and rename the block to Arm.
Mechanical Motion with Blocks
The Layout environment allows you to test the motion of connected blocks by dragging.
8
Connect blocks.
Connect the endpoint and the point using a Coincident relation. The Arm block should rotate freely about the point.
Tip
For more on motion and animations, see the Creating Animations with SolidWorks Step-By-Step manual.
Saving a Block
Blocks can be saved to disk for reuse in multiple sketches. The geometry and dimensions can be saved to a (*.sldblk) file.
Using Sketches as Blocks
Sketches created in parts can be saved as block files and inserted into layouts.
Where to Find It
I I I
CommandManager: Layout > Save Block Menu: Select a block and click Tools, Blocks, Save Shortcut Menu: Right-click a block and click Save Block
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Layout-based Assembly Design
New part.
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9
Create a new part in millimeters.
10 Straight Slot.
Create a new sketch on the Front plane. Create a Straight Slot 10mm.
approximately 125mm by
Add a point on the centerline.
11 Dimensions.
Fully dimension the sketch as shown.
12 Save block.
Select the sketch feature and Save Block . Name the block Handle and save it in the local folder.
Close the part without saving.
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point
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Lesson 7 Layout-based Assembly Design
Existing blocks can be inserted into the active layout using Insert Block. They can be connected to other blocks using relations. The
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Inserting Blocks
blocks can be local or from a location on disk.
Where to Find It
I I I
CommandManager: Layout > Save Block Menu: Select a block and click Tools, Blocks, Insert Windows Explorer: Drag a block into the graphics area
13 Insert Handle block.
Return to the layout assembly. Click Insert Block and Browse. Select the block Block-Handle, place the block anywhere in the graphics area and click OK.
14 Connect block.
Connect the new block to the others as shown.
15 Insert additional blocks. Click Insert Block and Browse. Select the block Block-Link, place the block anywhere in the graphics area and click OK.
Repeat for the Block-Hold Down block.
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Layout-based Assembly Design
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16 Connect blocks. Connect the Link and Hold Down blocks to the others as shown. Link Coincident 2x
Hold Down Coincident & Collinear
Editing Blocks
The Edit Block tool allows the block sketch geometry to be edited while maintaining the block as a feature.
Where to Find It
I I I
CommandManager: Layout > Edit Block Menu: Select a block and click Tools, Blocks, Edit Shortcut Menu: Right-click a block and click Edit Block
Note
If the block is linked to an external file, it cannot be edited.
Exploding Blocks
Blocks can be exploded to remove the block and replace it with the geometry of that block. Exploding a linked block copies the geometry to the active sketch and breaks the link.
Where to Find It
I I I
CommandManager: Layout > Explode Block Menu: Select a block and click Tools, Blocks, Explode Shortcut Menu: Right-click a block and click Explode Block
17 Edit block.
Right-click the Link block in the graphics area and click Edit Block. Change the 25mm dimension to 30mm as shown. Exit editing the block by clicking Confirmation Corner.
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in the
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Lesson 7 Layout-based Assembly Design
18 Drag.
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Drag the blocks to see the change in length and the differences in the motion.
19 Exit Layout.
Click Exit Layout
Creating a Part from a Block
.
Using the geometry of the block, you can create a part component. This component contains the block and has the same motion as the block. When the block is converted into a part, the new part absorbs the block into a sketch. Unlike the new parts in Lesson 1: Top-Down Assembly Modeling, this new part is added to the assembly without Edit Sketch or Edit Part mode. There are two options: I
I
Where to Find It
I I
Project - Use this option if you intend to
project from the plane of the block but not be constrained co-planar to it. Use this for a part that is parallel to the sketch position but not aligned with it. On Block - Use this option if you intend to project from the plane of the block and be constrained co-planar to it. Use this for a part that will remain at the sketch position. Menu: Insert, Component, Insert Part from Block Shortcut Menu: Right-click a block and click Make Part From Block
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Layout-based Assembly Design
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20 Make part.
Right-click the Base block and click Make Part from Block and use the On Block option.
Note
Creating the part does not automatically put the part into Edit Part mode.
21 Edit Part.
Right-click the new part and click Edit Part
.
22 Add geometry.
Create a new sketch on the Front plane of the new part and add the geometry shown relative to the visible block geometry. The arcs are the same radius and their centerpoints are coincident with the endpoints of the lines in the Base block.
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23 Extrude.
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Extrude the sketch using Midplane to a depth of 20mm. Return to editing the assembly.
24 Open part.
Right-click the new part and click Open Part . Add fillets of 4mm to the bottom edges and a shell of 3mm. Optionally change the color of the part.
25 Test the motion.
Save the part changes and return to the assembly. Drag the blocks and you will see that the motion of the layout remains intact. The blocks move relative to Base.
26 Assembly.
This is what the assembly might look like when complete if you continue creating parts from the rest of the sketch blocks.
27 Save and close the files.
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Layout-based Assembly Design
In addition to the flexibility we have already seen when using blocks, they can also model gear or pulley motion. This is similar to the gear/ pulley and rack/pinion mates we have already seen, creating “traction” between elements, but applied in the context of a sketch.
Introducing: Belt/Chain
The Belt/Chain sketch entity simulates an animation of pulleys and belt or sprockets and chain.
Where to Find it
While editing a sketch, select Tools, Sketch Entities, Belt/Chain.
Introducing: Traction Relation
A Traction relation applies friction between elements (blocks) in a sketch to achieve mechanical motion. The Belt/Chain sketch entity applies Traction relations automatically.
Where to Find it
While editing a sketch, select Add Relation, Traction
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Gear and Pulley Motion in Blocks
1
.
Open a part file.
Open pulleys from the Lesson07\Case Study\Blocks folder.
The part contains a sketch with three blocks, each representing a pulley.
2
Insert the belt.
Edit the sketch, and select Tools, Sketch Entities, Belt/Chain. Select the three blocks from right to left as the Belt Members. Order of selection matters; the feature assumes a clockwise sequence and snakes the belt accordingly.
Tip
3
Belt side.
Flip the belt side on the idler, as shown. Click OK.
4
Rotate.
Drag one of the pulleys to see the block motion. Save and close the part.
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Open a part file. Open gears from the Lesson07\Case Study\Blocks folder.
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5
The part contains a sketch with three circles and some construction geometry. The blocks need to be created.
6
Blocks.
Edit the sketch, and create three blocks, each consisting of one circle and its two diametric construction lines.
Add a relation to the right circle (block) to make it concentric with the origin. Drag the block slightly off the origin first to make selection easier.
Tip
7
Traction relation. Insert a Traction relation between two of the blocks. Click OK. Repeat
for the other contacting circle pair.
8
Motion.
Rotate one of the gears by dragging. Save and close the part.
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Layout-based Assembly Design
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SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 20 Stick Blocks
Exercise 20: Stick Blocks
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Create the cutting mechanism using “stick” blocks from lines and circles. This lab reinforces the following skills: I I
Using Local Blocks on page 213 Mechanical Motion with Blocks on page 215
Units: millimeters
Procedure
Use the following procedure:
1
New assembly.
Create a new assembly file using the Assembly_MM template. Create a layout.
2
New blocks.
Create new blocks using the individual sketches as shown below.
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Stick Blocks
3
Connect blocks.
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Connect the blocks as shown below and drag to display the motion.
4
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Save and close the files.
SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 21 Inserting Blocks
Exercise 21: Inserting Blocks
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Insert existing blocks and connect them to create a representation of a backhoe mechanism. This lab reinforces the following skills: I I
Inserting Blocks on page 217 Mechanical Motion with Blocks on page 215
Units: millimeters
Procedure
Use the following procedure:
1
New assembly.
Create a new assembly file using the Assembly_MM template. Create a layout.
2
Insert sketch block. Insert the Sketch-Block1 file, fully
constraining to the origin it as shown.
3
Additional blocks.
Add the additional blocks (Sketch-Block2 - SketchBlock7) to the sketch. Add relations to them as shown. Color the blocks to distinguish them.
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Inserting Blocks
Sketch geometry. Insert Sketch-Block8 two
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4
times, once at full scale and at 0.7 scale as shown. Add construction lines with Collinear relations and dimensions.
Block Scale 0.7
5
Changes.
Change the dimensions to move the components as shown.
6
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Save and close the files.
SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 22 Making Blocks
Exercise 22: Making Blocks
Create this mechanism using blocks.
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This lab reinforces the following skills: I I I I I
Using Local Blocks on page 213 Mechanical Motion with Blocks on page 215 Saving a Block on page 215. Inserting Blocks on page 217. Creating a Part from a Block on page 219
Units: millimeters
Procedure
Use the following procedure:
1
New assembly.
Create a new assembly file using the Assembly_MM template. Create a layout.
2
New blocks.
Create new blocks by creating sketches in a part as shown below. Save the sketches as blocks and insert the blocks into the layout.
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Making Blocks
3
Connect blocks.
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Connect the blocks as shown below and drag to display the motion.
4
Internal parts. Use Make Part from Block to create internal
parts. Use your own dimensions.
5
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Save and close the files.
SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 23 Belts and Traction
Exercise 23: Belts and Traction
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Create these blocks from sketches and use them with a belt/chain and traction. This lab reinforces the following skills: I I I
Saving a Block on page 215 Introducing: Belt/Chain on page 222 Introducing: Traction Relation on page 222
Units: millimeters
Procedure
Use the following procedure:
1
Open a part file.
Open Sketches_to_Blocks from the Lesson07\Exercises
folder. Save the entities from each sketch as a new block. Use the name of the sketch as the name of the block.
2
New part.
Create a new part file using the Part_MM template. Insert the blocks and connect them as shown.
3
Belt.
Add a Belt/Chain between the blocks shown.
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Belts and Traction
Test belt. Rotate BlockSmall_Pulley or BlockLarge_Pulley to test the
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4
belt.
Add Block-Idler to the sketch with a Traction relation.
5
Rotate idler. Rotate Block-Idler to turn Block-Large_Pulley and
the belt.
6
Delete belt and relation.
Delete the belt. Delete the coincident relation between Block-Small_Pulley and the endpoint of BlockFrame.
Connect BlockSmall_Pulley to the line of Block-Frame with a coincident relation as shown.
7
Driving belt.
Add a new Belt/Chain using the Driving option with a belt length of 150mm.
8
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Save and close the files.
PR Do E no RE t c LE op AS y E or D di RA st F rib T ut e Lesson 8 Large Assemblies
Upon successful completion of this lesson, you will be able to: I
Configure large assembly mode options.
I
Take advantage of lightweight components.
I
Use advanced selection techniques.
I
Create a SpeedPak configuration.
I
Simplify assembly components with Defeature.
I
Modify the structure of an assembly.
I
Use Assembly Visualization to create display states.
I
Take advantage of Large Design Review.
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Large Assemblies
Working with a large assembly requires a strategy to minimize the time required to load and edit the components in the assembly. There are several strategies offered using lightweight, hidden and suppressed components.
Key Topics
Some of the key topics in this lesson are shown in the following list. Each of these topics corresponds to a section in the lesson.
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Large Assemblies
I
Lightweight Components
Lightweight components offer reduced file sizes on open to increase speed. They must be fully loaded (resolved) to perform some operations.
I
Large Assembly Mode
The large assembly mode invokes a set of options based on an assembly with the minimum number of components. The threshold for the number of components is user defined.
I
SpeedPak
The SpeedPak configuration reduces the file size of a sub-assembly by reducing the assembly to selectable faces.
I
Simplified Configurations
Using assembly configurations (Lesson 4: Using Configurations with Assemblies), you can create “simplified” configurations of parts, subassemblies and the top level assembly. The simplified geometry reduces the load when opening or editing the assembly.
I
Defeature With the Defeature tool, you can remove details from a part or
assembly to simplify the graphics and improve performance.
I
Modifying the Structure of an Assembly
The structure of an assembly has an impact on how easily it can be edited. There are a number of tools that allow you to manage and modify the organizational structure of an assembly. You can dissolve a sub-assembly, select components and form a new sub-assembly, and drag and drop components into or out of sub-assemblies.
I
Large Design Review
Large Design Review lets you open very large assemblies quickly, while still retaining capabilities that are useful when conducting design reviews of assemblies.
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Lightweight components are a key factor in improving the performance of large assemblies. Lightweight components only load selected information into memory.
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Lightweight Components
The lightweight component can:
I I I I I I I I
Speed up assembly work. Keep mates intact. Maintain placement. Keep orientation. Be moved and rotated. Be displayed in shaded, hidden line or wireframe modes. Have their edges, faces or vertices selected or mated to. Have Mass Properties or Interference Detection performed on them.
Lightweight components cannot: I I
Be edited. Show their features in the FeatureManager design tree.
The opposite of a lightweight component is a resolved component. A resolved component is fully loaded into memory and can be edited.
Creating Lightweight Components
There are various ways to open assemblies as lightweight:
I
Select Lightweight for Mode on the Open dialog box.
I
By changing the
Automatically load components lightweight setting on the Performance page of Tools, Options, System Options.
The option Check out-of-
date lightweight components can be set to Don’t check, Indicate or Always Resolve. This setting controls
how lightweight parts are treated when they have been changed since the assembly was saved.
The option Resolve lightweight components can be set to Always or Prompt. This setting determines what happens when you perform an operation that requires resolved components.
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Large Assemblies
Once the assembly is open, lightweight components can be resolved. Similarly, resolved components can be changed to lightweight. There are several ways to do this.
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After the Assembly is Open
Set Lightweight to Resolved
Set Resolved to Lightweight
Double-click the component in the graphics area. It will automatically be resolved.
Indicators of Lightweight Status
Right-click the component and click Set to Resolved from the shortcut menu.
Right-click the component and click Set to Lightweight from the shortcut menu.
Right-click the top-level component of the assembly and click Set Lightweight to Resolved. This resolves all of the lightweight components, including those in subassemblies.
Right-click the top-level component of the assembly and click Set Resolved to Lightweight. This sets all of the resolved components to lightweight, including those in sub-assemblies.
When an assembly is loaded as lightweight, all part components are listed with lightweight status. This includes all part components inside any sub-assembly.
Lightweight components are indicated with a feather symbol over the component icon in the FeatureManager design tree.
Note
Out-of-date lightweight parts are indicated Performance page of System Options.
Best Practice
Use lightweight assemblies. Set your system options so that components in assemblies are loaded as lightweight by default. This way you will automatically reap the benefits of working with lightweight components. On those few occasions when you want to open an assembly as resolved, you can always select Resolved for Mode on the Open dialog box.
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Lesson 8 Large Assemblies
Comparison of Component States
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Components in an assembly can exist in one of four states: resolved, lightweight, suppressed, or hidden. Each of these states has implications on system performance and on what operations you are able to perform. See Comparison of Components Suppression States in the online help for a table that summarizes the behavior of assembly components in each of the four states.
Note
See Using SpeedPak on page 244 for another configuration variant.
Large Assembly Mode
When opening an assembly with Large Assembly Mode active, appropriate settings are chosen to make the large assembly faster. There are various ways to open assemblies in Large Assembly Mode: I
Select Large Assembly Mode for Mode on the Open dialog box.
I
By changing the settings under Large assemblies on the Assemblies page of Tools, Options, System Options.
The settings on the Assemblies page of System Options are then used for the large assembly. Some of the settings include:
I
Do not save auto recover info
Disables automatic save of your model.
I
Hide all planes, axes, sketches, curves, annotations, etc. Selects Hide All Types on the View menu.
I
Do not display edges in shaded mode
Turns off edges in shaded mode. If the display mode of the assembly is Shaded with Edges, it changes to Shaded.
I
Suspend automatic rebuild
Defers the update of assemblies, so you can make many changes, then rebuild the assembly once.
Tip
Using Lightweight mode is good, but using Large Assembly Mode is better. Large Assembly Mode includes additional settings to improve performance. The threshold for components should be set so that all large assemblies trigger this mode.
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Large Assemblies
Threshold. Set the Large Assembly Threshold to 100.
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1
Click OK.
The assembly used in this lesson is large enough to display the techniques used with large assemblies but small enough to be practical in the classroom.
Note
2
3
Open an assembly file. Open Full_Grill_Assembly from the Lesson08\Case Study folder. Use the configuration Default. Click Open.
Display state.
Right-click in the ConfigurationManager and click Add Display State. Rename it to No Hardware.
Tip
238
You create display states to hide components to improve graphical performance and improve the performance of opening assemblies when you select Do not load hidden components on the Open dialog box.
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 8 Large Assemblies
Advanced Select. Click Select , Select Toolbox.
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4
5
Hide.
Right-click the components and click Hide Components to hide the selected fastener components in the No Hardware display state. The original display state,
Default_Display State-1, includes all
the hardware.
6
New display state.
Default_Display State-1
New Display State-1
Add a new display state and rename it Support under the same Default configuration.
The new display state is copied from the active one, No Hardware, so the copy hides all the Toolbox components.
7
Drag select.
Drag from left to right to select everything through the depth that is within, but not crossing, the window boundary.
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Large Assemblies
8
Hide.
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Hide the selected components.
9
Display State.
Activate the No Hardware display state. Add a new display state and rename it Cooking Area.
10 Volume select. Change to the Front view. Click Select
, Volume Select. Drag from left to right to select the covers. Adjust the selections using the arrows as shown. Click off the model to select.
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11 Invert.
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Right-click in the graphics area and click Invert Selection.
Hide the selected items.
12 Hide.
Hide any other components that may have been missed.
13 Add display state.
Create a new display state Cooking Area&Controls.
14 Show hidden. Click Assembly > Show Hidden Components
and temporarily all the hidden components reappear as the visible components are hidden.
Select control panel and other components. They disappear as they are selected.
15 Exit show hidden. Click Exit Show-Hidden to show the selected
components and complete the process.
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16 Switch configurations.
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Return to the ConfigurationManager and make the Full configuration active. Because Link Display States to Configurations is on, the associated display state Display State-1 is activated with the configuration.
Unloading Hidden Components
To free system resources, you can unload hidden components. All of the components that are hidden in the current display state are removed from memory.
Where to Find It
I
Shortcut Menu: Right-click the assembly in the FeatureManager design tree and click Unload Hidden Components
17 Unlink display states. Clear Link Display States to Configurations and activate the display state Support. Show any
hidden components from the
Support_Frame_End \ side_table_shelf_&_burners
sub-assembly.
Hide or show any additional components to look as shown above.
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18 Unload hidden components.
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Although many components have been hidden and shown, they are all loaded into memory. Right-click the top level component and click Unload Hidden Components. Save the assembly.
Scroll Selected Item into View
In a large assembly, it is often difficult to locate components graphically. One way is to use Scroll selected item into view. When this option is enabled, selecting a piece of geometry in the graphics window highlights it in the FeatureManager design tree, expanding several levels if required.
Where to Find It
I
Menu Bar: Options
, System Options, FeatureManager, Scroll selected item into view
19 Select Sub-assembly. Right-click range_burner_insert and click Select Sub Assembly.
From the dialog listing three options, click double_range_burner-1.
20 Open component. Locate the double_range_burner-1
component in the FeatureManager design tree. Right-click and click Open Assembly.
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Large Assemblies
The SpeedPak is a special configuration using a simplified representation of an assembly that maintains references. It is simplified by identifying the selectable Faces to Include or Bodies to Include in the assembly.
Including Faces
To minimize the size of the assembly, the minimum selections can be just the faces required to mate the component into an assembly.
Quick Include
The Enable Quick Include button allows you to use a slider to determine the amount of detail included. The sliders are for Faces to or Bodies to Include . Include
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Using SpeedPak
Enable Quick Include
Note
SpeedPak configurations are marked with the
Where to Find It
I
icon.
Shortcut Menu: Right-click in the ConfigurationManager and click Add SpeedPak
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Results
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Lesson 8 Large Assemblies
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21 Adding a SpeedPak.
Create a new configuration named Reduced. Right-click in the ConfigurationManager and click Add SpeedPak. Click in Faces to Include and select the three faces as shown.
Click OK.
Save and close the sub-assembly.
22 Using the SpeedPak.
Return to the main assembly. Right-click double_range_burner and click Component Properties. Select Reduced_speedpak as the reference configuration and click OK.
Note
Only the identified faces (and edges of those faces) can be selected in the SpeedPak. As you move the cursor, a white circle erases unselectable geometry.
23 Save the file.
Save but do not close the assembly.
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Large Assemblies
With the Defeature tool, you can remove details from a part or assembly and save the results to a new file in which the details are replaced by dumb solids (that is, solids without feature definition or history.) You can then share the new file without revealing all the design details of the model. An additional benefit is that using simplified models improves performance by simplifying the graphics and reducing rebuild times. The new file has the same mass and center of gravity as assigned mass properties.
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Defeature
Before
Where to Find It
I
After
Menu: Tools, Defeature
24 Open an assembly file. Open the Burner_Plate sub-assembly in
its own window and show all of the hidden components.
25 Defeature - step 1: Components. Click Tools, Defeature.
Under Remove, choose Selected components and select the four screws and two gaskets from the flyout FeatureManager design tree. Click Next
.
26 Defeature - step 2: Motion.
Motion is not required for this sub-assembly so click Next .
27 Defeature - step 3: To Keep.
Select any holes or features you want to retain. Typically, you want to consider the faces that you need to mate with.
For this assembly, no selections are necessary so click Next
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Lesson 8 Large Assemblies
28 Defeature - step 4: To Remove.
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Rotate the assembly to view the preview from different orientations. If any holes or features were not removed, you could select them now. Click Next
.
29 Defeature - Feature Removal Complete. Under Results, click Save the model as a separate file and click OK. Type Defeature_Burner for File name and click Save.
The resultant part has three solid bodies and no editable features. There are fewer holes and no screws. Here is a comparison of the assembly and the part:
Burner_Plate.sldasm
Note
Defeature_Burner.sldprt
10 parts
1 part
26 mates in this assembly
0 mates in this part
50,000+ triangles in an STL file
10,000+ triangles in an STL file
The number of triangles in an STL file is shown to give an idea of the complexity of the geometry for graphical performance reasons.
30 Replace component.
Return to the main assembly.
Right-click the Burner_Plate sub-assembly and click Replace Components. The Burner_Plate sub-assembly appears in the Replace these component(s) field. Select Defeature_Burner for With this one. Click Re-attach mates.
Click OK.
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31 Mated entities. The Mated Entities dialog appears to
assist in re-attaching the failed mates. Expand the mates and select the replacement faces for each one. You need to select a cylindrical face (1), planar face (2), and a cylindrical face (3) as shown in the image. Click OK when you replace the entities for all three mates. The grill assembly now includes the simplified part, reducing graphical complexity and improving performance.
32 Save the file.
Save but do not close the assembly.
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1
2
3
SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 8 Large Assemblies
Configurations of the component parts, sub-assemblies and the top level assembly make large assemblies faster. One approach is to remove components from the assembly by suppressing them. Another is to make simpler versions of the components and use them in place of the “full” versions.
Suppressing Components
This method “removes” components from the sub-assemblies and the top level assembly by suppressing them. Since suppressed components are not loaded, it can increase the speed of the assembly.
Tip
Suppressing a component also suppresses the mates associated with that component. See Comparison of Components Suppression States in the online help for more information on the impact of suppression, lightweight and hidden components.
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Using Configurations with Large Assemblies
See Lesson 4: Using Configurations with Assemblies for more information about creating assembly configurations.
Simplified Configurations
The Simplified Configurations approach to large assemblies is to create “simplified” configurations of the components in the assembly (see Tips for Faster Assemblies on page 260). The simplified part configuration suppresses all detail features that are not required to use the component in the assembly. Usually the suppressed features are fillets, chamfers or small detail features. The small assembly below illustrates the process.
Default
Simplified
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Large Assemblies
There are several Advanced options available when opening an existing assembly. On the Open dialog, select from the Configurations menu and click Open. You can use this method to create the simplified configuration of an assembly provided the individual parts have been simplified.
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Advanced Open
Advanced Open Options
The options of the Configure Document dialog are explained below. I
Open currently selected configuration.
Opens the currently selected configuration.
I
New configuration showing all referenced models.
Opens and resolves all the components. Saves it under the Configuration name.
I
New configuration showing assembly structure only.
Opens and suppresses all the components. Saves it under the Configuration name.
I
Use specified configuration for part references when available.
Searches for part configurations matching the Configuration name (Simplified or your input) and makes them active.
Modifying the Structure of an Assembly
If you have the foresight, it is always best to place components into the proper level of the assembly (at the top level or in a sub-assembly). Despite your best plans, sometimes you need to change the level of a component. There are tools that allow you to manage and modify the organizational structure of an assembly. Specifically, you can: I I I I I
Dissolve a sub-assembly. Select components, and form a new sub-assembly. Insert a new, empty sub-assembly. Drag and drop components into or out of sub-assemblies. Drag to reorder components within an assembly or sub-assembly.
Dissolving a Sub-assembly
You can dissolve a sub-assembly into individual components. This will move the components up one level in the assembly hierarchy.
Creating a New Sub-assembly with Components
To gather components into a new sub-assembly that resides in the main assembly, you can use Form New Sub-assembly. The new subassembly exists in the main assembly and as an assembly in its own right. To create a new, empty sub-assembly in an assembly, you can use Insert, Component, New Assembly.
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Components can be moved from the main assembly to a sub-assembly by dragging and dropping them. They can also be moved between subassemblies, or from a sub-assembly to the top level assembly.
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Promoting and Demoting Components
When you reorganize the components at any level, the mates and any features that reference the selected components are affected. Therefore, decisions about hierarchical groupings should be made early in development of a complex assembly to minimize the effects on these items.
A couple of points to keep in mind when reorganizing components are: I I
I I
I
Mates of the component move to the mate group of the lowest common parent assembly. Moving a fixed component from the top-level of the assembly hierarchy down into a sub-assembly can leave the main assembly free to float in space. Moving a fixed component from a sub-assembly to the top-level assembly may over define the top-level assembly. Features that have external references will be deleted if the referenced component moves. A message will appear to inform you of this. Component pattern instances cannot be moved. Moving the component that is the seed for a component pattern will delete the component pattern. A message will appear to inform you of this.
The process of promoting or demoting components is accomplished in several ways. The commands Form New Sub-assembly Here and Dissolve Sub-assembly both force components to move within the hierarchy. Drag and drop can also be employed for this purpose. Finally, Tools, Reorganize Components can be easier to use when the FeatureManager design tree is very long, and therefore requires a lot of scrolling. In this example, component parts will be dragged and dropped into an existing sub-assembly.
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Large Assemblies
One way to move components from one assembly to another is to drag and drop them in the FeatureManager design tree. You can select one or more components using the Ctrl or Shift keys, and move them in a single operation. The cursor will appear with the marker as the components are dragged and dropped onto a sub-assembly. The components become part of that sub-assembly.
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Reorganize Components Using Drag and Drop
1
Configuration and display state. Activate the Default configuration and the Cooking Area display state. Display all of the components in the Upper_Cover assembly.
2
Resolve.
Right-click the Full Grill Assembly top level assembly and click Set Lightweight to Resolved. This resolves the assembly and components within it.
Introducing: Dissolve Subassembly
The Dissolve Sub-assembly option brings components up one level in the assembly structure.
Where to Find It
I I
Menu: Select a sub-assembly and click Edit, Dissolve Assembly Shortcut Menu: Right-click a sub-assembly and click Dissolve
Sub-assembly
3
Dissolve.
Right-click the Upper_Cover sub-assembly and click Dissolve Sub-assembly. The component parts are placed in to the top level assembly at the bottom of the FeatureManager design tree. There are errors.
4
Float.
As the components are moved to the top level assembly, a common problem is that fixed components may cause errors. Right-click Rebuilt_Top_Cover and click Float, All Configurations. The errors are gone.
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Introducing: Form New Sub-assembly Here
Form New Sub-assembly Here creates a new assembly using one or
Where to Find It
I
Menu: Select one or more components and click Insert, Component, Assembly from [Selected] Components
I
Shortcut Menu: Right-click one or more components and click
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more selected components in the current assembly.
Form New Subassembly Here
5
6
New sub-assembly. Right-click lower_grill and click Form New Sub-assembly Here. Name the new sub-assembly Grill_Top&Bottom. Drag and Drop Part Components.
Select handle_front_mount, Rebuilt_Top_Cover, rock_grate, cook_grate, and both hinge and hinge_female components as shown. Drag them into Grill_Top&Bottom.
Tip
The same method used to drag and drop components into sub-assemblies reorders components within an assembly. By default, the order of the components in the FeatureManager design tree determines the order of the items in the BOM in an assembly drawing.
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Large Assemblies
Using Folders
Folders can organize components and shorten the FeatureManager
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design tree. Components can be dragged and dropped into the folder, but it does not change the assembly structure. Folders organize components that are related but do not constitute a sub-assembly. Create New Folder creates a new folder in a part or assembly tree.
Tip
7
Drag into folder.
Select and drag the washers, nuts and screws at the bottom of the FeatureManager design tree into the Hardware folder. They are moved into the folder.
8
Move folder.
Drag the Hardware folder onto the last component before the Mates folder. The folder is moved to the last position in the tree.
Sub-assembly Solving
Sub-assemblies are added to the main assembly as rigid components. They can move as a group but motion of the individual components is blocked. You can change the sub-assembly to flexible to allow motion.
Tip
The editing performance of flexible sub-assemblies is slower than that of rigid sub-assemblies. Choose rigid unless flexible is required.
Where to Find It
I
9
Tip
254
Shortcut Menu: Right-click a sub-assembly and click Component Properties . Change the Solve as option to Rigid or Flexible.
Component Properties. Right-click the Grill_Top&Bottom sub-assembly and click Component Properties. Change the Solve as state from Rigid to Flexible. Click OK.
Notice the FeatureManager design tree now shows a new icon this sub-assembly, indicating its flexible state.
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SolidWorks 2012
Lesson 8 Large Assemblies
10 Drag.
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Drag the Rebuilt_Top_Cover sub-assembly to move it.
Note
You can not edit a flexible sub-assembly in context or add equations to external features. The sub-assembly must be rigid for these operations.
11 Float and fix in sub-assembly. Right-click the Grill_Top&Bottom
sub-assembly and open it.
Right-click the lower_grill component and click Fix. Save and close the assembly. Return to the main assembly.
12 Save and close the files.
Assembly Visualization
Assembly Visualization provides
different ways to display and sort an assembly’s components. The list provides an alternative to the FeatureManager design tree. You can sort the list using basic numerical data such as mass or volume or you can create customized criteria which are dependent on several numerical values. You can also sort by custom properties and add or delete columns.
In the graphics area, the software applies colors to the components based on the value of the property you are sorting by. The colors help you visualize the relative value of the property for each component. You can save the colored assembly as a display state.
Where to Find It
I I
CommandManager: Evaluate > Assembly Visualization Menu: Tools, Assembly Visualization
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SolidWorks 2012
Large Assemblies
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13 Open an assembly file. Click Open , browse to Full_Grill_Assembly, but do not click
open yet.
Set Mode to Resolved because Assembly Visualization gives accurate results with resolved components. Set Configurations to Default and Display States to Default_Display State-1. Click Open.
14 Assembly Visualization. Click Assembly Visualization
.A
new tab appears next to the ConfigurationManager. Initially, the components are sorted alphabetically.
15 Sort.
Click the Mass heading twice to sort the components by mass from largest to smallest. Notice the value bars on the names of the components. The longest bar is applied to the component with the highest value. The lengths of all the other bars are calculated as a percentage of the highest value.
16 Display.
Click the color bar to the left of the list of components. The graphics area displays the components in a color ranging from red to blue, depending on the relative mass.
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17 Select.
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Scroll to the bottom of the list. Select all the components from Pan Cross Head to the last component Hex Nut. These components have a lower mass relative to the rest of the assembly. Notice how multiple instances of a component are grouped together.
18 Hide.
Right-click the selected components and click Hide components . All of the lighter, presumably smaller, components are hidden.
19 Display state.
Click the right facing arrow in the header as shown in the image. Click Add Display State.
Rename Visualization Display State-1 to Large Mass in the ConfigurationManager.
20 Save and close the files.
Large Design Review
Large Design Review lets you open very large assemblies quickly, while still retaining capabilities that are useful when conducting design reviews of assemblies. When you open an assembly in Large Design Review mode, you can: I I I I I I I
Navigate the FeatureManager design tree Measure distances Create cross sections Hide and show components Create, edit, and play back walk-throughs Create snapshots with comments Selectively open components
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Large Assemblies
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Large Design Review mode is intended as an environment for quick reviews. The FeatureManager design tree does not include many details other than the structure of the assembly. For example, you cannot edit components or mates. For greater access to the details of the assembly, you must open the assembly components.
Where to Find It
I I
Open dialog box: Select Large Design Review for Mode CommandManager: Large Design Review tab for various
functions you can access in Large Design Review mode
21 Open an assembly file. Click Open , browse to Full_Grill_Assembly, but do not click
open yet.
Set Mode to Large Design Review and click Open.
22 Inactive configurations. A message states, Graphics data might be out of date for the flagged components because these components reference inactive configurations. Large Design Review mode displays the
graphics for the last-saved configuration of a part. This message appears if there are parts that use a configuration other than the lastsaved one. Click OK.
23 Review hardware. Expand the Hardware folder and note that the
parts in the folder have a warning because they use inactive configurations.
24 Measure. Click Measure
. A message states that measurements are approximate in Large Design Review mode. Click OK.
Click the planar face above and the planar face below the propane tank to measure the distance between the faces. Press Esc to turn off Measure.
25 Section view. Click Section view . Change to the YZ plane and click OK. This section view offers a glimpse inside the
grill.
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Lesson 8 Large Assemblies
. Type Section for the name and click OK.
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26 Snapshot. Click Take Snapshot 27 DisplayManager.
Switch to the DisplayManager and expand Snapshots in the tree.
Double-click Home to display that snapshot. The section view is turned off and you see the entire assembly. The Home snapshot cannot be modified. It is there to provide a means for you to return to the original display.
28 Comment.
Right-click the Section snapshot and click Comment.
Type Here is a look inside the grill, then click Save and Close. Hover over the Clearance snapshot to see the comment.
29 Isolate.
Switch to the FeatureManager design tree. Right-click Grill_Top&Bottom and click Isolate. Click Take Snapshot . Type TopBottom for the name and click OK. Click Exit Isolate to display all the components again.
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Large Assemblies
30 Selective Open.
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Switch to the DisplayManager and double-click the TopBottom snapshot.
Select all of the components in the graphics area. Click Selective Open . In the dialog box, click Selected components and click Open Selected. Notice the changes:
The assembly is no longer in Large Design Review mode. The CommandManager tabs change to appear as they do for any other assembly. I A message appears to inform you that hidden components are not loaded into memory. I The selected components are loaded into memory. You can see their features and mates in the FeatureManager design tree. I I
31 Save and close the files.
Tips for Faster Assemblies
Whether your assembly is large or small, there are best practices to follow to create efficient and faster parts and assemblies. Faster means both opening speed and editing speed, both of which contribute to the overall time it takes you to work in SolidWorks.
I
Sub-assembly breakdown
Multiple sub-assemblies should be used in place of multiple component parts. Advantages include:
Facilitates multi-user design environments. Separate members of the design team can work on individual sub-assemblies. I Eases sub-assembly editing. You can edit sub-assemblies in their own window. Sub-assemblies are smaller and less complicated than the main assembly. I Reduces top-level mates. Placing the majority of mates in sub-assemblies instead of the top-level assembly allows the top-level assembly to solve faster. I Facilitates reuse of sub-assemblies. Parts grouped as sub-assemblies can be easily reused in other assemblies. I
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Lesson 8 Large Assemblies I
Using Component Patterns
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Patterns save editing time at the part and assembly level.
I
Configurations
Configurations of the assembly and sub-assemblies create different versions of a product. The versions can differ by the number of components, the visibility of the components, or the configurations of the components. One assembly configuration could contain simplified configurations of part components. Selecting that configuration selects all the part configurations contained within it.
I
Lightweight components
Lightweight components improve performance when working with assemblies because only a subset of the model data is loaded into memory. The remaining model data is loaded on an as-needed basis. A point to note is: the larger the assembly, the greater the performance gain. For more information see Lightweight Components on page 235.
I
Files saved in earlier releases
Be sure to save all component files in the latest release of the SolidWorks software. Files saved in earlier releases open and rebuild slower.
I
Graphical appearance
There are many functions that can enhance the appearance of an assembly, including: RealView graphics, shadows, textures, and so on. Consider reducing your use of these functions while creating and editing an assembly, then turn them on to create presentations or your final output.
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SolidWorks 2012
Large Assemblies I
Suppress unnecessary detail
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Use part configurations to represent models in a simplified state by suppressing details that are not critical in the assembly.
For comparison purposes, a bolt with full helical threads is over 100 times larger in file size than a bolt with no threads. A bolt with revolved threads is 30 times larger.
Fillets and chamfers are often the easiest features to identify and suppress.
Do not suppress those features that are required for mating and interference detection.
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Lesson 8 Large Assemblies I
System Options and Document Properties
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Some options affect assembly performance, including: Document Properties, Image Quality. These
I
settings affect the performance of an assembly. The coarser the display, the faster the performance.
System Options, Performance, Level of detail Set the slider to Off or from More (slower) to Less (faster) to specify the level of detail during dynamic I
view operations (zoom, pan, and rotate) in assemblies, multi-body parts, and draft views in drawings. I System Options, Performance, Verification on rebuild. When selected, the application performs more error checks when you create or edit features. Turn this option off when you do not need it to improve performance.
Mate Considerations
Mates are required in all assemblies to restrict the movement of components. Here are some considerations on what to select and what to avoid.
Mate Entity Choices
Avoid mating to faces that may be suppressed in other configurations. Create the mates using the simplified configurations of the parts. For example, assume that the highlighted cylindrical face is used in a mate.
In the simplified configuration, the feature is suppressed and the mate will fail.
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Large Assemblies
Some mates are required, but those that are excessive should be avoided. Components that are not fully defined may be acceptable. In this example, the bolt is free to spin. Adding a parallel mate to prevent the spinning would be excessive.
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Excessive Mates
Drawing Considerations
Drawings of large assemblies offer more challenges. The same issues with opening and loading the components of the assembly can happen at the drawing level. The best solution is a Lightweight Drawing. A Lightweight Drawing can be set to not load the hidden models, significantly reducing the loading time. Also, some operations, such as manually adding dimensions and annotations can be performed without loading the models.
For more information about lightweight drawings, see the SolidWorks Drawings manual.
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SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 24 Large Assemblies with Display States and SpeedPak
Create a series of display states and a SpeedPak configuration for this large assembly. This lab uses the following skills:
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Exercise 24: Large Assemblies with Display States and SpeedPak
I I I I
Bulk Selection Tools on page 146 Lightweight Components on page 235 Large Assembly Mode on page 237 Using SpeedPak on page 244
Procedure
Open the assembly Large from the Lesson08\Exercises\ Large_Assembly folder. Create the following Display States.
Tip
Use Select Toolbox, Direct Select, Isolate, Invert Selection, Show Hidden Components and other selection techniques with Hide and Show Components.
Display State No_Fastener
Create a display state that hides all Fastener components in the assembly.
Note
All display states will have fasteners hidden.
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Exercise 24
SolidWorks 2012
Large Assemblies with Display States and SpeedPak
Create a display state showing these components.
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Display State Center
Display State Press
Create a display state showing only these components.
Display State Upper
Create a display state showing only these components.
Display State Lower
Create a display state showing only these components.
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SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 24 Large Assemblies with Display States and SpeedPak
Create a SpeedPak configuration in the conveyor sub-assembly. Use that configuration for all instances in the assembly.
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SpeedPak for conveyor
Tip
When creating the SpeedPak, select Bodies to Include and use the related slider.
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Exercise 25
SolidWorks 2012
Flexible Sub-assemblies
Exercise 25: Flexible Subassemblies
Create this assembly.
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This lab uses the following skills: I
Procedure
Sub-assembly Solving on page 254
Use the following procedure:
1
New assembly.
Create a new assembly and name it Piston&ConnRod. Add Upper_Connecting_Rod at the origin. Add Lower_Connecting_Rod and mate it, fully defining it.
2
Plane to plane mate. Add Piston_Head and mate it to the upper end of Upper_Connecting_Rod using a width mate. Piston_Head should be free to pivot.
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SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 25 Flexible Sub-assemblies
Open an assembly file. Open the assembly Engine. The assembly contains Crankshaft, fixed
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3
at the origin.
4
Axis.
Open Crankshaft. Create an axis using the Top and Front planes of the component.
5
Float. Float the component.
Mate the Right plane of the component to the Right plane of the assembly. Also, mate the new axis of the component to the Front and Top planes of the assembly.
Make sure that the component can be rotated.
6
Sub-assembly.
Insert the sub-assembly Piston&ConnRod into the main assembly. Set the Solve as condition to Flexible.
7
Mates.
I
I
Mate the sub-assembly to Crankshaft using a Concentric mate. Add a Coincident mate between the Right plane of Piston_Head and the Top plane of the assembly.
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Exercise 25
SolidWorks 2012
Flexible Sub-assemblies
Mate the planar sides using a width mate.
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I
8
9
Motion. Drag Crankshaft to see the motion of the sub-assembly components.
Additional instances.
Add 3 more instances of the Piston&ConnRod sub-assembly using Flexible.
10 Save and close the files.
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Exercise 26 Working with Sub-assemblies
Exercise 26: Working with Sub-assemblies
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Dissolve sub-assemblies and add new ones to change the structure of this existing assembly.
This lab uses the following skills: I I I I
Procedure
Dissolving a Sub-assembly on page 250 Modifying the Structure of an Assembly on page 250 Promoting and Demoting Components on page 251 Sub-assembly Solving on page 254
Use the following procedure:
1
Open an assembly file.
Open lab_pro_dem from the Lesson08\Exercises\ Subassemblies folder
2
Dissolve sub-assembly.
Dissolve the sub-assembly bad_sub. The components of the subassembly are promoted to the main assembly. The sub-assembly is deleted.
3
New Sub-assembly SUB_body. Create a new sub-assembly that contains the following components: Main Body
Finger Grip Nozzle Nozzle
4
New Sub-assembly SUB_trigger. Create another new sub-assembly that contains the following components: Pull Ring Plunger
End Cap
Note that the sub-assembly is treated as a single component. Its Component Properties are set to the default Solve state of Rigid.
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Exercise 26
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Working with Sub-assemblies
Open SUB_trigger. Open the SUB_trigger assembly. Define its position in space by adding Fix to End Cap.
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5
Reorder the components within SUB_trigger so that End Cap is listed first in the FeatureManager design tree. Remember – the order components are listed in the FeatureManager design tree determines the default order they will be listed in a bill of materials.
Optional
6
Test the behavior.
Use dynamic assembly motion to test the behavior of the trigger assembly. You should be able to drag Pull Ring in and out of End Cap.
7
Switch.
Switch back to the main assembly.
8
Delete components.
Delete the following components: Pull Ring Plunger
End Cap
9
Add a second instance.
Add a second instance of SUB_trigger to the main assembly.
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Exercise 26 Working with Sub-assemblies
10 Mate sub-assembly.
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Mate the second instance of SUB_trigger to the main assembly.
11 Component Properties. Edit the Component Properties of SUB_trigger. Set the Solve as state to Flexible. Repeat the process for SUB_trigger. 12 Dynamic Collision Detection. Click the Move Component tool and click Collision Detection.
Make sure that Stop at collision, Highlight faces and Sound are enabled. Drag each of the Pull Ring components to the limits of their motion in both directions.
13 Save and close the files.
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Exercise 27
SolidWorks 2012
Simplified Configurations
Exercise 27: Simplified Configurations
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Create simplified configurations of parts, sub-assemblies and the main assembly. Also, add new sub-assemblies and change the structure of this existing assembly. This lab uses the following skills: I I I
Procedure
Simplified Configurations on page 249 Promoting and Demoting Components on page 251 Creating a New Sub-assembly with Components on page 250
Use the following procedure:
1
Open an assembly file. Open Compound_Vise from the Lesson08\Exercises\Simplified Configurations folder.
Create sub-assemblies within the assembly using Form new subassembly here.
Sub-assemblies
2
Sub-assemblies.
Create three sub-assemblies using components of Compound_Vise:
3
274
I
Base
I
Center
I
Vise
Modify sub-assembly. Open the Vise sub-assembly and add a second cap screw using a Component Pattern.
SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 27 Simplified Configurations
New sub-assembly. Open the Base sub-assembly and create a new sub-assembly named base swing plate from lower plate and cap screw. Add a component pattern of cap screw.
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4
5
Use sub-assemblies. Use the base swing plate
sub-assembly on both sides of the part. Delete components where required.
Perform a similar operation on the Center sub-assembly, adding a center swing plate sub-assembly and using it on both sides.
center swing plate
6
Drag and drop components. Drag all four locking handle components
from sub-assemblies to the top level assembly.
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SolidWorks 2012
Simplified Configurations
7
Simplified configurations.
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Create configurations in each part named simplified and suppress the listed features to complete it. Component
Suppress
cap screw
threads and extend features
lower plate and upper plate
All Fillet features, notch, limit_text and Chamfer1
Saddle
All fillet features
handle shaft
Chamfer1 feature;
Note some editing is required
compound center member
276
Fillet2 and Fillet3
SolidWorks 2012
Exercise 27 Simplified Configurations
Suppress
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Component
tool holder
Chamfer1 and Chamfer2
upper compound member
Fillet1, Fillet2, Fillet3 and Chamfer1
locking handle
Fillet6, Fillet7 and Fillet12
Create simplified configurations for the following sub-assemblies. Create an assembly configuration named simplified and use the simplified configurations of all the component parts.
Sub-assembly Configurations
The base swing plate is shown as an example.
8
Low level sub-assemblies.
Create the configurations for the lowest level of sub-assemblies. I I
base swing plate center swing plate
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Exercise 27
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Simplified Configurations
9
Sub-assemblies.
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Move on to the next level of sub-assemblies, using the work completed above. I I I
Base Center Vise
10 Top level assembly.
At the top level assembly, create the simplified configuration using the part and sub-assembly configurations. I
Compound Vise
11 Save and close the files.
12 Open simplified. Open the simplified configuration of the assembly using the Configurations list of the Open dialog. 13 Hide and Show.
Create new display states using Hide and Show Component. Name the display states Base&Center and Center&Vise and use a copy of the simplified configuration.
14 Save and close the files.
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Symbols ->? 23 ->* 24 ->x 24
A advanced open 250 advanced select 148 alignment, holes 195 appearances 159–168 assemblies add components 10 best practices 44, 183, 185, 236, 260–264 configurations 122–132, 144 display states 144–154 edit 174–195 external references 23–25 in-context features 8–20, 38–46 large 234–264 Large Design Review 257–260 layout 212–221 lightweight 235–236 mates 64, 85 mirror 190–192 modify the structure 250–253 options 237 reorganize the structure 250–253 replace components 180, 189–190 statistics 130 top-down design 8–20, 38–46 assembly features 39–46, 175–178 belt/chain 87 feature scope 176 hole series 39 hole wizard 175 assembly visualization 255 AssemblyXpert 130
B belt/chain assembly features 87 belt/chain sketch entities 222 best practices 44, 183, 185, 236, 260– 264 blocks 213–219 BOM, order of components 44 break external references 24
C cam mates 85, 89 capture mate references 72 changes to in-context features 20 colors edit parts in assembly 12 images in manual 4 comment in Large Design Review 259 component patterns 120 components add 10 configure 123 join 179 lightweight 235–236 mates 64 mirror 190–192 over defined 185 reload 181, 194 rename 11 replace 180, 189–190, 247 resolve 236 select 146–150 Smart Components 62, 73–84 unload hidden 242 Configuration Publisher 128 configurations 122–132, 144 simplified 249 Smart Fasteners 50 SpeedPak 244 Configure Component 123 convert entities 14 copy with mates 96 counterbore, See hole wizard
E edit assemblies 174–195 blocks 218 components 10, 17 feature scope 176 in context 23 mates 184–185 equations 197–200 errors in mates 186 external references 22–32
D defeature 246 Design Library 62, 70–71 dimension names 197 display pane 145 display states 144–154 drag and drop mates 64 reorganize assembly hierarchy 251 drag selection 147 drill, See hole wizard
G gear mates 85 global variables 197 graphics, RealView 161
F fasteners 46 feature palette, See Design Library feature scope 176 FeatureManager design tree folders 254 reorder 44 reorganize 250–253 scroll item into view 243 symbols 23–24, 236 features assembly features 39–46, 87, 175– 178 hole series 39 hole wizard 176–177 in-context 8–20, 38–46 time dependent 44 find file references 26, 44 folders 254 functions 200
H hardware 46 hinge mates 85 hole alignment 195 hole series 39 hole wizard 176–177
279
Index
N new part from block 219 new part in assembly 10
SolidWorks Toolbox 46 SpeedPak 244 split parts 178 statistics of assemblies 130 sub-assemblies dissolve 250 flexible 254 form new 250 rigid 254 symmetric mates 85
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I in-context features 8–20, 38–46 inplace mates 12, 21 insert components blocks 217 new part 10 summary 92–93 internal parts, See virtual parts invert selection 148 isolate components 148
SolidWorks 2012
J join components 179
L large assemblies 234–264 large assembly mode 237 Large Design Review 257–260 layout based assemblies 212–221 lightweight components 235–236 limit mates 85, 89 linear coupler mates 85 lock external references 24
M mate diagnostics 187–189 mate references 68, 72 materials 159–168 mates advanced 85 aligned/anti-aligned 63 cam 85, 89 copy with 96 diagnostics 187–189 edit 184–185 entities 184 errors 183, 186 gear 85–86 hinge 85 inplace 12, 21 limit 85, 89 linear coupler 85 mate references 68, 72 mechanical 85 multiple 94 path 85 pointers 66 pop-up toolbar 65 rack and pinion 86, 91 re-attach 184 screw 86 SmartMates 64 summary 92–93 symmetric 85 universal joint 86 view 188 width 85 with Alt key 64 MateXpert 187 measure in Large Design Review 258 mechanical mates 85–86 mirror components 190–192 multiple mate mode 94
280
O offset entities 17 open part from assemblies 18 open, advanced 250 out of context 22
P parent/child relationships 44 parts editing within an assembly 10 external 21 from blocks 219 open from assemblies 18 split 178 virtual 9, 11, 21 path mates 85 patterns of components 120 performance options 235 pointers for mates 66 propagate changes 20 PropertyManager 128, 188
R rack and pinion mates 86, 91 RealView graphics 161 re-attach mates 184 references external 22–32 find file 26, 44 list external 25 mate 72 relationships, parent/child 44 reload components 194 rename components 11 reorder in assemblies 44 replace components 180, 189–190, 247 resolve components 236 rollback in assemblies 44 S save blocks 215, 219 save as 27, 180, 189 save as copy 27, 180 save as part 179 virtual parts 14, 21 scenes 162 screw mates 86 section view in Large Design Review 258 select components 146–150 select transparent entities 13 selective open 260 sensors 201–203 show hidden components 149 simplified configurations 249 sketch blocks 213–219 Smart Components 62, 73–84 Smart Fasteners 46–50 SmartMates 63
T Tab key 63 tags 150 tap, See hole wizard time dependent features 44 top-down design 8–20, 38–46 traction relations 222 transparency 12–13
U universal joint mates 86 unload hidden components 242 V variables 197 view mates 188 virtual parts 9, 11, 14, 21 visualization, assembly 255 volume select 147, 240 W width mates 85
