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Tips & Tricks and best practices for SolidWorks assemblies. Created for Summit meeting in Columbus, Ohio in July 2009. Presented with SolidWorks 2009
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Force Design
SolidWorks Assemblies
Performance Options
Automatically load Lightweight
Always Resolve sub-assemblies
Assemblies Options
Prompt before changing mate alignments on edit Pitfalls of MateXpert
Large Assembly mode Reduces file size when
saving May be easier to
Manually activate
Things to Do…Always
Minimize mates and components in top level assembly
Resolve Warnings and especially Errors Each rebuild SolidWorks tries to resolve the
problem
Top Down Design What’s Good
Components Interrelated External Relations Changes Propagate Design intent more explicit…
What’s Bad Lots of External References
More difficult file management Decreased Performance
Sloppier design Insert New Part
Parts not orientated well
MAYBE
What’s Good Easier to control Model, Diagnose Problems Fewer External References
Easier File Management Better Performance
Works Better with PDM What’s Bad
Design Intent not as clear… More “Manual” Not as Quick & Easy
Or Bottom Up
MAYBE
So Which is It?
Top Down or Bottom Up? Reasoning to Support either Method Each has its Place Neither is Right or Wrong
Combination of each Method Recommend Starting with Bottom Up and
adding External References
Planes & Axis
Establish a “Datum” or important location such as a Locating Pin, Axis of a Shaft etc. Place the Locating Pin at the Origin Create Planes and Axis at other Critical locations
with External References Centered and Balanced
Mates
Start with one Fixed component Automatically Suppresses mates (f)
Mate each component to only one component 3 Mates Preferred
Two Opinions on Cylindrical components 1) Eliminate all Degrees of Freedom 2) Minimize Mates You Decide!
Use Reference Geometry Macros to Speed Mating
Where are they for Assemblies? Workaround
Create a Patterned Feature in a Component Hole Wizard Feature with Multiple Holes Or Pattern Bodies (Surface or Solids)
Insert the component Pattern Assembly Component(s) using Feature
Driven Pattern Example Using Solid Bodies
Sketch Driven Patterns
Product Files Imported Geometry Subject to Change during Design Build assembly around Product
Use Reference Geometry for Mating ‘Master’ Assembly allows quick change to revised
parts
Managing External References External References are wonderful, But…
Can get Out of Control Increase Rebuild time
There are Bugs….WHAT?!? Revealing the Bugs
Questions/Discussion
Layouts Configurations Display States Assembly Features Belts/Chains
Thank You