SolidWorks 2011 Assemblies Bible - Matt Lombard [134]
8. Display the part in the Design Library panel of the Task pane.
9. Open the part from the DVD with the filename Chapter 19 Tutorial Plate.sldprt. Place this part into a new assembly.
10. Drag the Tutorial Start (Smart Component) from the Design Library into the assembly, and move the part over the holes in the plate. As you drag the part up and down the row of holes, the part changes size to match each hole. Figure 15.30 shows all the holes that are populated with the matching Smart Component sizes, as driven by the configurator table. Place the part over one of the diameters.
11. To edit the configurator table, open the Smart Component part in its own window. Then right-click the Smart Feature folder and select Open In Defining Assembly. An assembly that was created from the data stored in the part opens.
12. Click the Edit Definition button that appears in the upper-right corner of the graphics window.
FIGURE 15.29
Filling in the configurator table
FIGURE 15.30
Smart Component parts match holes in the part.
13. Reassign the minimum and maximum diameter values for the 3⁄16-inch and 1⁄4-inch configurations to the shortest lengths. For example, the chart shows the 3⁄16-32x.75-inch configuration to be assigned to a minimum of .1 and a maximum of .199. Move the .1 and .199 values up two cells to the 3⁄16-32x1⁄4-inch configuration. Do something similar for the 1⁄4-28x1-inch configuration. The edited part of the chart now looks like Figure 15.31.
FIGURE 15.31
The edited configurator table
Tip
You may have difficulty expanding the width of the column that contains the configuration names, thus making it difficult or impossible to read the ends of the long configuration names. However, like Excel, you can expand the height of the rows, which causes the configuration names to wrap, as shown in Figure 15.31.
Summary
Smart Components can automate the placement of a main component, as well as associated mounting features and components. It can also offer automatic resizing options, depending on the geometry to which it is mated. The setup for Smart Components varies from simple to complex, with auto-sizing causing most of the complexity. Libraries, and in particular smart library parts like Smart Components, can greatly simplify repetitive tasks.
Library features are very useful in automating frequent design tasks. They are easy to create, store, apply, and automate. Setting up the features for the most flexibility often takes careful planning and attention to the detail of the references that you use. The more data you reuse, the more time you will save by automating and centralizing your libraries.
Part IV: Creating Assembly Drawings
In This Part
Chapter 16
Creating Assembly Drawings
Chapter 17
Working with Tables and Drawings
Chapter 16: Creating Assembly Drawings
In This Chapter
Merging parts and assemblies in one drawing
Using page two formats
Working with drawing views with special assembly functions
Applying color to individual parts in the assembly window
Working with drawings of large assemblies
Creating a simple assembly drawing tutorial
Drawings containing assemblies often have very different uses than drawings containing parts. Assembly drawings tend to have fewer dimensions, and may be primarily for reference in assembling a product. Some assembly drawings are mainly pictorial in their purpose, particularly with exploded, section, and cutaway views.
Most of the actual tools that you might use for part drawings are the same for assembly drawings, with a few exceptions. This chapter covers these exceptions along with some special techniques that might make assembly drawings easier or clearer.
Combining Parts and Assemblies on the Same Drawing
Every company seems to do things differently when it comes to assembly drawings. Some use the drawings