The document discusses best practices for designing assemblies in SolidWorks, including strategies for managing mates and external references. It emphasizes the benefits and drawbacks of top-down versus bottom-up design approaches, recommending a combined method for optimal performance. Additionally, it provides tips on utilizing features like reference geometry and patterned assemblies to improve efficiency and maintain control over the design process.

1. Force Design SolidWorks Assemblies

2. Performance Options Automatically load Lightweight Always Resolve sub-assemblies

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. Managing External References External References are wonderful, But… Can get Out of Control Increase Rebuild time There are Bugs….WHAT?!? Revealing the Bugs

13. Questions/Discussion Layouts Configurations Display States Assembly Features Belts/Chains

14. Thank You