It's quite simple - you just insert a part into a part.
I've done it where I create a casting model first off, and then insert my casting model as a part (as the first feature) into the machined part model. I then chew lumps off it to make the finished part. That way the complicated casting model remains separate and keeps things relatively simple. I also have other parts using the same casting; they are separate models because to have it all as one model would (in this case) create a truly horrendous and almost unmanageable design table.
So far, so good. BUT!!
I've just come unstuck because my casting had different configurations - there were different versions of the casting, which I had specified in the design table. It worked beatifully when the casting model was in session.
The problem was that I didn't have checked.
The result is I issued drawings to the shop which correctly called in the right casting as far as the words on the drawing were concerned, but the casting actually used pictorially in the drawing was the last-generated config of the casting and not the one I wanted - I didn't have the casting model loaded.
So what I'm saying is that if you use parts within parts, make sure you load referenced models! SolidworksParts And Features
I've done it where I create a casting model first off, and then insert my casting model as a part (as the first feature) into the machined part model. I then chew lumps off it to make the finished part. That way the complicated casting model remains separate and keeps things relatively simple. I also have other parts using the same casting; they are separate models because to have it all as one model would (in this case) create a truly horrendous and almost unmanageable design table.
So far, so good. BUT!!
I've just come unstuck because my casting had different configurations - there were different versions of the casting, which I had specified in the design table. It worked beatifully when the casting model was in session.
The problem was that I didn't have
The result is I issued drawings to the shop which correctly called in the right casting as far as the words on the drawing were concerned, but the casting actually used pictorially in the drawing was the last-generated config of the casting and not the one I wanted - I didn't have the casting model loaded.
So what I'm saying is that if you use parts within parts, make sure you load referenced models! SolidworksParts And Features
