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Popular perceptions of in-context techniques aside, in-context modeling is a powerful extension of parametric design techniques. If you follow the best practice suggestions outlined in Chapter 10, you will soon gain confidence and master this technique rather than being intimidated by it. The functionality works, and if you do not abuse it, it will serve you well.

Using Smart Fasteners

Smart Fasteners are assembly features that automatically select Toolbox parts for use in standard-sized holes, and you can use them in many different ways. The Smart Fastener feature in the assembly FeatureManager is used to edit the definition of the Smart Fastener, which can include adding items such as nuts and washers. You can also use Smart Fasteners in conjunction with the Hole Wizard to place appropriate holes and matched fasteners, all in a single step.

Cross-Reference

Smart Fasteners, the Toolbox, and the Hole Wizard are discussed in detail in Chapter 14. This is the only functionality beyond what is found in SolidWorks Standard edition that is dealt with in this book.

Applying the Hole Series

The Hole Series is a Hole Wizard–type feature that you apply in an assembly. This wizard leaves the feature icon in the assembly but also adds features directly to the individual parts. It also adds in-context Update Holders to the assembly FeatureManager, as shown in Figure 4.4. The Hole Series is designed to go through a series of parts, placing the appropriate hole type in each part: counterbore, through, threaded, and so on.

FIGURE 4.4

Adding in-context Update Holders

Using SpeedPaks

A SpeedPak is a derived configuration of an assembly that keeps only selected solid bodies and faces but can represent the rest of the assembly with non-selectable display data. You can use a SpeedPak to replace an entire subassembly within an upper-level assembly. SpeedPaks are intended to increase performance with very large assemblies and drawings.

Figure 4.5 shows the SpeedPak PropertyManager on the left, which you access by right-clicking an active configuration and selecting Add SpeedPak. Each configuration can have only one SpeedPak.

The center image in Figure 4.5 shows the configuration list with the SpeedPak indented under the Default config, and the entire assembly. The right image shows the SpeedPak inserted into an assembly document, consisting of a single face and two solid bodies. Notice the special icon associated with SpeedPaks. You can change a part in an assembly from or to a SpeedPak in the same way that you would change a configuration using Component Properties.

Remember that this is a tool for increasing assembly speed, and to increase speed there is always something that you have to give up. A SpeedPak is similar to Lightweight assemblies and components in that it is display-only data. If your expectations of the tool match its actual functionality, you will be very satisfied with what the SpeedPak offers. For this reason, it is important to understand the abilities and limitations of SpeedPaks.

Using ghosts

You can use any faces or bodies that you select in the Include lists either manually or through the Quick Include sliders (which automatically select bodies and faces based on size) in assemblies to mate to or in drawings to dimension to. Any geometry that is not selected is included as a ghost — it displays, but you cannot select it. When you move the cursor near ghost geometry, the ghost fades away, revealing only selectable geometry. Notice at the bottom of the SpeedPak PropertyManager that you can also choose to remove the ghost data and further increase the memory savings.

Sharing self-contained data

The SpeedPak is self-contained. All the selected face and body geometry is saved inside the assembly. If you want to send someone a visual representation of an assembly, you can make a SpeedPak configuration and send only the assembly file — no parts are required. This is the equivalent of being able to put an eDrawing file into an assembly.

Using SpeedPaks