Assembly Modeling ConstraintsENGR 1182SolidWorks 05

Today’s Objectives Creating assemblies by constraining 3D

parts together• Movement and Location dictated by

Constraints

SW05 In-Class Activity

SW05 Out-of-Class Homework Assignment

AssembliesAssemblies are collections of 3D parts that form one engineering system

1. Modeled to Fit Together

2. Location defined by 6 degrees of freedom

• 3 translational (x,y,z)

• 3 rotational (about x,y,z axes)

3. Assembly Constraints in SolidWorks are applied using the Mates tool which positions two components relative to one another.

Modeled to Work Together

• Compatible Components

• Dimensional Tolerances

• Assembly Constraints

• Operational Requirements

• Moving? Fixed?

Defining Location

• 6 degrees of freedom constrain an instance of a part file

• X,Y,Z Translation

• X,Y,Z Rotation

Assembly Constraints(position two components relative to one another)

• Coincident

• Parallel

• Perpendicular

• Tangent

• Concentric

• Lock

• Distance

• AngleThe bridge example will be used to demonstrate

these core concepts

Concentric Constraints

Axes of cylindrical features and holes can be selected

Concentric constraints align centerline axes

Mating Surfaces

2D surfaces can be mated using the Coincident Constraint to become

flush with one another but the correct direction must be given to

the computer

Additional Constraints

Distance between entities if not flush

Coincident Lines or Vertices

SolidWorks Adding Components

In the Assembly tab (similar to the Features tab of a Part

file) use the Insert Components button to add part files to this assembly

Select from the open parts listed or use the Browse to

find saved files

After placing the base part, reopen the Insert Component dialog box and click on the pin to keep the box open. Now browse and double click on or Open the second part and left SINGLE click in SolidWorks window to place second part. Next go to the Insert Component dialog box and single left click on the second part just inserted so that it’s blue high-lighting is removed. Now click on browse and select the third part, left SINGLE click to place it, left click on the third part in the Insert Component dialog box to remove the blue high-lighting and repeat sequence. After placing the last part, select the green check mark or hit ESC to complete the insertion of parts. Note that if multiple copies of any part are needed, one can SINGLE click again after the part has been placed to produce another copy of the part.

SolidWorks: First Component

The first part inserted will become fixed in space and should be placed at the origin as a base for the assembly. This must be done by selecting the part and then clicking the green check mark to default to the origin instead of just left clicking in space.

ANCHORING THE BASE AT THE ORIGIN

INSERTING ADDITIONAL PARTS

SolidWorks Constraints/Mates

In SolidWorks these are the Standard Constraints

used in Assemblies

In the figure window it will show a preview of the mating and a smaller dialog box

will appear

Change Direction

Confirm Mate

The Secret to Successful Assemblies

1. Move components to be constrained close to each other

2. Rotate one component so the constrained surfaces or edges can be easily viewed

3. Zoom in so that the surface or edges are easy to select

SolidWorks Example Assembly of a water

filtering pitcher

http://youtu.be/1s-1CUoq1zE

Water Pitcher StartThe first part inserted will become fixed in space and will be placed at

the origin aligning the 3 major planes (front, right, top) as a base for the

assembly by selecting the part in the open parts list and clicking the

green check mark

Origin of Assembly

Origin of Base Part Aligned Origins

Water Pitcher Example:First Mate

Next lets bring in the top

compartment and mate the two back

surfaces

Water Pitcher:Top Compartment

Similar constraints are added to the sides and top ridge in order

to fully constrain the top compartment

Water Pitcher: Filter

Now lets add to our assembly the water filter which

fits into the circular hole of the top compartment

We’ll add a concentric

constraint in order to align the axis

Water Pitcher: Inserted Filter

The bottom ridge of the filter and the top of the

compartment are selected and the faces are constrained to be

flush

Water Pitcher: Section View

A section view can be used in order to see that

the mates are correct

Choose the correct plane that cuts through

an object

Water Pitcher: Sub-Assembly

The top cover of the water pitcher consists of 2 pieces that were put together in a separate

assembly and then brought into the current

assembly

Deleting Constraints

All Constraints applied are located in the Model Tree under

Mates

Deleting Constraints

Constraints can be selected and removed using the delete key

Assemblies Wrap-Up Assemblies – collection of

3D parts that form a system

6 Degrees of Freedom• XYZ Translation• XYZ Rotation

Assembly Constraints• Concentric• Mating Surfaces• Coincident• Distance

Homework Assignment SW06-OUT :

Buck-Eye-PhoneAssembly

In-Class Activity

Using the pre-made blocks and wheels construct

some kind of pinewood derby

racer using assembly

constraints

Create the base of any pinewood derby racer by

inserting the chassis (first) and then inserting

the axles

Important Takeaways Assemblies are collections of 3D

parts that form one engineering system

Assembly constraints are used to locate parts in the assembly relative to each other

What’s Next?

Due Next Class: SW06 Out of Class HW

Before next class, you will read about Exploded View and Extracting Drawings and Optional Extra Credit Advanced Assembly Modeling