® ® SolidWorks 2011 Assemblies Bible Table of Contents Part I: Introducing Assembly Basics Chapter 1: Understanding Assemblies Understanding the Purpose of Assemblies Identifying types of assemblies Creating an alternative to multiple assemblies Creating Assembly Templates Putting Parts into Assemblies Understanding External References Referencing external files in-context Referencing external files from a part Summary Chapter 2: Navigating the Assembly Interface Identifying Elements of the SolidWorks Assembly Interface Using the CommandManager and toolbars Introducing the assembly tools Using the Heads-Up View toolbar Using the Shortcut “S” toolbar Working in the assembly FeatureManager Working with multiple document windows Managing open windows Understanding the Interface for Moving and Mating Using the Move Component interface Using the Mate interface Summary Chapter 3: Visualizing Assemblies Manipulating the View Using arrow keys Using the middle mouse button Clicking the triad Using mouse gestures Using the Magnifying Glass Investing in a 3D mouse device Controlling Appearances Removing appearances and overrides Using the Display Pane Using the DisplayManager Using Display States Using Edge and Wireframe Settings Making the case for shaded with edge display Using tangent edge display Using Assembly Visualization Tutorial: Using Assembly Visualization Summary Part II: Working with Assemblies Chapter 4: Building Efficient Assemblies Identifying the Elements of an Assembly Understanding standard reference geometry items Working with assembly equations Using an assembly layout sketch Working with virtual components Creating assembly reference geometry Comparing history-based and non-history-based portions of the assembly tree Understanding parts and subassemblies Creating folders Organizing mates Applying assembly features Using component patterns and mirror components Looking at in-context reference Update Holders Using Smart Fasteners Applying the Hole Series Using SpeedPaks Using ghosts Sharing self-contained data Using SpeedPaks with drawings Using Subassemblies Creating subassemblies from existing parts Organizing for performance Organizing for the Bill of Materials Grouping subassemblies by relative motion Organizing groups of purchased components Depicting an assembly process Patterning considerations Using Folders Creating folders in the FeatureManager Adding items to existing folders Reordering items in the tree Working with Tree Display Options Showing feature names and descriptions Showing component and config names and descriptions Using names other than the part filename in the assembly FeatureManager Using Component Reference per Instance Viewing features, mates, and dependencies Working with Assembly Tools Using Sensors Using the AssemblyXpert Tutorial: Arranging Assemblies Tutorial: Managing the FeatureManager Summary Chapter 5: Getting More from Mates Applying Mates Mating through the Mate PropertyManager Taking advantage of SmartMates Mating with macros Mating for Motion Analyzing degree of freedom Setting up successful motion Working with Advanced and Mechanical Mate Types Symmetric mate Cam mate Width mate Gear mate Rack and Pinion mate Limit mates Screw mate Path mate Linear Coupler mate Hinge mate Belt/Chain Editing and Troubleshooting Editing existing mates Troubleshooting assembly mates Troubleshooting warnings and errors Examining Mate Options Reviewing Mate Best Practices Tutorial: Mating for Success Summary Chapter 6: Working with Assembly Sketches and Layouts Looking at the Techniques Using the assembly layout sketch Using master model Using the Layout Feature Using the Layout workflow Working with virtual components Balancing advantages and limitations Tutorial: Working with a Layout Summary Chapter 7: Using Assembly Tools Placing Parts without Mates Using the Move Component options Using the For Positioning Only option Building parts in place Using Proximity Tools Using Interference Detection Working with Clearance Verification Using Dynamic Clearance Working with Collision Detection Using Physical Dynamics Using Sensors Selecting Components Selecting with a volume Selecting suppressed components Choosing hidden components Selecting parts mated to another part Selecting internal components Choosing Toolbox parts Using the Advanced Select options Reading AssemblyXpert Results Using Defeature Using the Hole Alignment Tool Working with Large Assemblies Using special techniques to improve large assembly performance Using special tools to improve large assembly performance Summary Chapter 8: Controlling Assembly Configurations and Display States Using Display States Controlling display states and configurations Using display states with drawings Using part display states in parts Understanding Assembly Configurations Applying configurations for performance Using configurations for positions Applying configurations for product variations Using design tables for assembly configurations Working with Modify Configurations and the Configuration Publisher Looking at assembly configuration dos and don'ts Tutorial: Working with Assembly Configurations Summary Chapter 9: Patterning and Mirroring Components Using Local Component Patterns Creating local pattern references Using Mirror Components Using Feature-Driven Component Patterns Understanding Other Pattern Options Tutorial: Creating Component Patterns Summary Chapter 10: Modeling in Context Understanding In-Context Modeling Working through a simple in-context example Weighing the advantages of in-context modeling Anticipating problems with in-context modeling Identifying alternatives to in-context modeling Dealing with the Practical Details of In-Context Modeling Understanding the in-context process Looking at in-context best practices Using Other Types of External References Using inserted parts Working with split parts Using mirror parts Using the Layout Feature Using the Layout workflow Understanding virtual components Balancing advantages and limitations Tutorial: Working In-Context Summary Chapter 11: Creating Assembly Features Creating Assembly Cuts Using the Feature Scope Propagating features to parts Making Fillets and Chamfers in Assemblies Creating Weld Beads Working with Envelopes Summary Chapter 12: Using Parametric Links in Assemblies Using Equations in an Assembly Tracking external references Renaming documents referenced by equations