SolidWorks 2011 Assemblies Bible - Matt Lombard [19]
FIGURE 2.11
Using the triad with Along Assembly XYZ
Along Entity
If you want to move a part in a particular direction that is not aligned with the coordinate system of the assembly, you can use the Along Entity option. This requires you to have an edge, axis, or sketch line that goes in the direction you want to move the part.
By Delta XYZ
You can use the By Delta XYZ option to move a component when you know the specific distance and direction you want to move the selected parts. Figure 2.12 shows this PropertyManager along with the same triad from the Along Assembly XYZ option.
FIGURE 2.12
Moving a component using the By Delta XYZ option
To XYZ Position
This PropertyManager, like the other Move Component PropertyManagers, doesn't have a selection box to show you what is selected. If you use this option to move a component, then the component's origin is moved to the specified XYZ point unless you have a point on the model selected, in which case that point is moved to the specified XYZ point. Figure 2.13 shows the To XYZ Position PropertyManager.
FIGURE 2.13
Using the To XYZ Position option to move a part
Selecting Move Component options
Not all of the options in this panel of the Move Component PropertyManager apply to all movement methods. The three options are
• Standard Drag
• Collision Detection
• Physical Dynamics
The Standard Drag option simply refers to dragging parts visually on the screen.
Collision Detection allows parts to move until they interfere with another part. When the parts touch, SolidWorks makes a sound. The performance of this type of movement is highly dependent on the complexity of shapes in the assembly and your hardware specifications. Figure 2.14 shows the PropertyManager options for Collision Detection.
Physical Dynamics is like Collision Detection except that when parts touch, instead of stopping, they push the other parts. You can use this type of motion if you have an assembly where the parts are not highly constrained. You need to remember that it does not take into account factors such as momentum, material properties, or anything other than contact and mates.
FIGURE 2.14
Using options for Collision Detection
Dynamic Clearance
Dynamic Clearance is an option in the Move Component PropertyManager that you can use while moving parts by dragging. It works by placing the minimum clearance dimension between parts when one of them is being dragged. You can use Dynamic Clearance in conjunction with other options in the Move Component PropertyManager. Figure 2.15 shows the Dynamic Clearance panel of the Move Component PropertyManager.
In the Advanced Options panel, the Highlight Faces option highlights the faces that would collide or are being measured between for minimum clearance. The Ignore Complex Surfaces option tells SolidWorks not to calculate complex faces; this speeds up calculations in situations where speed is a problem.
Using the Mate interface
The SolidWorks Mate interface works slightly differently from some of the other functional interfaces. Normally, you get into a rhythm with the button pushes and keyboard strokes, but the Mate interface slightly breaks up this rhythm. The SolidWorks developers set up the interface based on the assumption that you are going to make multiple mates every time you use the Mate PropertyManager.
Considering workflow
The normal workflow for tools is that you use the tool, and when you click the green check mark icon, the interface closes, unless it is a feature that has the pushpin in the PropertyManager, and you have the pushpin pushed. In this case, it keeps the interface open so you can do multiple iterations. For example, the Offset Entities PropertyManager, shown in Figure 2.16, has a pushpin.
FIGURE 2.15
Using the Dynamic Clearance option with Move Component