Assembly Modeling
Create an assembly of parts, mate the parts into position, and then save the design to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
What's Covered?
- Create an assembly from scratch [00:29].
- Add components, including the pin and handle, and create multiple instances of a part [01:49].
- Understand fixed vs. floating components and how they behave in an assembly [03:53].
- Apply mates (coincident, concentric, etc.) to constrain the motion of parts [04:40].
- Manage files and save the assembly using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform [01:13].
Step-by-Step Instructions (AI-generated from video transcript):
Based on the video at https://youtu.be/XcOzOMelEyc, here are step-by-step instructions for creating the assembly:
Part 1: Start a New Assembly
- Open SolidWorks and click the New icon.
- Select Assembly and click OK. The assembly will open in a new tab.
Part 2: Insert Components
- To insert the first component, you can either drag and drop it from the 3DEXPERIENCE platform or click the "Insert Components" icon in the assembly toolbar.
- The first component you place will be fixed automatically. The video uses the pin as the first component.
- To add a second component, such as the handle, select it and click to place it.
- To create a second instance of the same component, hold down the Control key and drag the first instance to a new location.
Part 3: Understand and Adjust Component States
- In the FeatureManager design tree, a part that is fixed will have an "(f)" next to its name. A floating part, which is free to move, will have a "(-)".
- To change a fixed component to a floating component, right-click on it in the tree and select Float. To fix a floating component, right-click and select Fix.
Part 4: Apply Mates
Mates are used to define the relationship and movement between components. You can create mates in a few ways:
- Using a Popup: Select the origins of two parts, and a popup menu will appear. Choose a mate type like "coincident" to lock their positions together.
- Using the Mate Command: Click the Mate icon in the toolbar. Select the two faces or edges you want to constrain and choose the mate type from the PropertyManager.
- Using Drag and the Alt Key: Select a cylindrical face on one part, then drag it toward a cylindrical face on another part while holding down the Alt key. When released, they will automatically snap into a concentric mate.
Part 5: Save the Assembly
- Click the Save icon.
- If you are using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, you can save the assembly directly to a collaborative space. This also saves a local copy to your hard drive.
- You can also lock the assembly to prevent others from making changes while you are working on it.
More Info
Roles:
solidworks with cloud services 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS
Tags:
beginners guide SOLIDWORKS Assembly Mates
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