SolidWorks 2011 Assemblies Bible - Matt Lombard [120]
Of course, there is also a downside to this solution, and it is that you lose all the nice automation features available with Toolbox. The best course of action if you want to keep Toolbox is to use the Copy Parts option, install locally, use a PDM system, and if you get assemblies from Toolbox users who aren't part of your network, insist that they either use your parts or send you their parts.
Considering the most popular arrangement
By far the most popular way to employ Toolbox is to use it to insert the parts, then rename the parts and save them to another location. Some users save the parts to project-specific folders, and some save them to a central library. A relatively small number of Toolbox users actually use it by the intended, orthodox method because of the heavy file management and administrative overhead associated with doing it “the right way.”
The most effective way to use this method is with the Copy Parts setting. This is because having configurations within renamed parts may cause problems, as the intention is to have separate files for each size, but you will end up with multiple size configurations within each part.
For a more complete discussion of the administration issues surrounding SolidWorks Toolbox, refer to SolidWorks Administration Bible (Wiley, 2009).
Using the Hole Wizard
The Hole Wizard is related to Toolbox through the database that holds size information for matching fasteners and holes. The Hole Wizard is mainly used in parts but can also be used in assemblies for some situations such as Smart Fasteners in Hole Series holes.
All of this automated functionality requires that you use Toolbox following the orthodox automated method, which the better part of this chapter has warned you against. If you are very disciplined about your file management practices, and you are careful to keep your version installations properly synchronized, it is possible to make the automated Toolbox work the way it was intended to, and take advantage of advanced Hole Wizard functionality.
If you intend to try this method, you should use a test installation to make sure that you can achieve the results for which you are hoping.
The Hole Wizard enables you to place holes for many types of screws with normal, loose, or close fits. You can create Hole Wizard holes as assembly features in an assembly or as features in individual parts that are built in the context of an assembly using the Hole Series functionality. This tool is called a wizard because it guides you through the process step by step. A summary of the process of creating a Hole Wizard hole is as follows:
1. Pre-select the face to put the holes on (this is optional). Starting in SolidWorks 2010, pre-selection is no longer required to avoid 3D placement sketches; the Hole Wizard now uses 2D sketches by default.
2. Select the type of hole. For example, you can choose counterbored, countersunk, drilled hole, tapped hole, pipe tap, or legacy.
3. Set the standard to be used, such as ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Inch, ANSI Metric, or ISO (International Organization for Standardization).
4. Select the type of screw. For example, a counterbored hole can accommodate a socket head cap screw or a hex head screw, among others.
5. Select the size of the screw.
6. Select the fit of the screw into the hole. Settings include normal, loose, or close.
7. Select the end condition of the hole.
8. Select options for clearance and countersinks or edge breaks.
Alternatively, you can use or assign a favorite. A favorite is a hole with settings that you use frequently and want to save.
You can use Custom Sizing when you need a hole with nonstandard dimensions.
9. Locate the center of the hole or holes. You can place multiple