Subassemblies in SolidWorks are groups of components that are assembled together within a larger assembly. They allow for modular design and simplify the management of complex assemblies by breaking them down into manageable parts. To make subassemblies move within an assembly, you need to define relationships (mates) that allow components to translate or rotate relative to each other.
Steps to Make Subassemblies Move
1. Create or Open an Assembly
Start by creating a new assembly document in SolidWorks or opening an existing assembly where you want to add or modify subassemblies.
2. Insert Subassemblies
Insert the subassemblies you want to work with into the main assembly. You can do this by using the “Insert Components” command and selecting the subassembly files (.sldasm).
3. Position Subassemblies
Position the subassemblies relative to each other and to the main assembly using mates. Mates define how components within the subassemblies are constrained, allowing for controlled movement.
4. Apply Mates
Use the Mate tool (located in the Assembly tab) to apply relationships between components. Common mates include:
- Coincident: Aligns faces or points of two components.
- Parallel: Aligns edges or faces of two components to be parallel.
- Distance: Specifies a fixed distance between two components.
- Angular: Defines an angular relationship between two components.
- Cylindrical: Aligns cylindrical faces of two components.
Apply mates strategically to allow for the desired movement of subassemblies. For example, use a cylindrical mate to allow a shaft to rotate within a bearing or a coincident mate to align a bracket with a frame.
5. Check Degrees of Freedom
After applying mates, check the degrees of freedom of each subassembly and component. SolidWorks displays the number of remaining degrees of freedom, indicating how many more mates are needed to fully constrain the assembly. Aim to reduce degrees of freedom to zero to ensure stable motion.
6. Create Assembly Configurations
Use configurations to define different states or positions of the subassemblies within the assembly. Configurations allow you to switch between different setups without creating multiple assembly files.
7. Test and Validate Motion
Use the “Move Component” command to manually test the movement of subassemblies. This command allows you to translate or rotate components to ensure that they move as intended based on the applied mates.
8. Animate Assembly (Optional)
For visualization or presentation purposes, use SolidWorks Animation to create dynamic animations of assembly motion. This feature helps communicate how subassemblies interact and move within the larger assembly.
Tips for Effective Subassembly Motion
- Use Logical Mates: Apply mates that mimic real-world assembly constraints and interactions.
- Check Interference: Use the interference detection tool to identify and resolve any interference between components within subassemblies.
- Document Design Intent: Use SolidWorks’ design tree and feature manager to document design intent and simplify future modifications.
- Consider Motion Study: For more complex assemblies, use SolidWorks Motion Analysis to simulate dynamic motion and evaluate performance under various conditions.
Mastering the ability to make subassemblies move in SolidWorks is essential for designing functional and efficient assemblies. By understanding how to apply mates effectively, check degrees of freedom, and validate motion, engineers and designers can create assemblies that accurately represent real-world functionality. SolidWorks’ powerful tools for assembly modeling and motion simulation provide comprehensive capabilities for visualizing and testing assembly motion, ensuring designs meet performance requirements and functionality expectations. By following these steps and tips, you can leverage SolidWorks’ capabilities to create dynamic and interactive assemblies that meet your design goals and specifications.