Fundamentals of Graphics Communication

Assembly

EGN-1111C
Maohua Lin
 Objectives
Describe what assembly is.

Describe the process of creating assembly models in modern

CAD systems.

Describe how exploded view is.

Differentiate between top-down modeling and bottom-up

modeling techniques for assembly. (mate)

Discuss different motion study.

Topic 23: Assembly
 Part 1

Module 1
Part 2

Part
Module
Part
Product Module

Part

Part
Module N
Part N

Assembly files consist of multiple parts and the mates

that define constraints between parts.
Case: Mate/ align
How to track mate: DOF

6 DOF: 3 rotational and 3 linear

 What to do w/
the parts in assembly?

Make the DOF of parts to what they should be.

Position
1st part, usually placed at origin.
Other part, relative position to the 1st one.
Mate (relation)
1st part is fixed in the assembly.
Or related to the origin.
Other part, use mates.
 Ideation
Whenever possible, mate all components to one or two
fixed components or references.

Long chains of components take longer to solve and are

more prone to mate errors.

Never make loops of mates. They lead to mate conflicts

when you add subsequent mates.
The process of creating assembly
models in SW
Create an assembly file
Insert components
 Make sure Graphics preview is ON
Then Browse,
Select the part,
Click Open
 For the 1st part
After click Open in last
step, do NOT place it by
clicking in the graphic area.

Just move the mouse to the

left area of Solidworks, Graphic area

And click OK to insert it.

First Part Placed in Assembly is Fixed

Which part will be the base?

Whats the relation between parts?

Mate operation

1. Mate entities ( face,

edge or point)
2. Mate type
3. Parameter/option
4. Click OK to finish.

Note:
Press ESC to select nothing
before adding a new mate.
Pay attention to the display of
cursor, it show the type ( face,
edge or point) of entity you
will select.
Usually, we use face a lot.
Topic 24: Exploded View
 Add Exploded View
Click green check button after all steps. 2
1

For each explode step

1. click on the component you want to move
2. click and hold on the axis as move direction
3. drag the component to the position you
want.
 Show the collapse/explode status

Or double click on ExplView1 to explode or collapse.

 Modify Exploded View

1 Right click on ExplView1 and Edit

2. Right click on the step you want to modify

and Edit

3. Make the changes

And Apply then Done
 For the Subsequent parts

Move the mouse to find somewhere to place the part by

clicking in the graphic area.

Before clicking, you can hold the middle button of

mouse and move the mouse to change the view.
 Mate
Entities to Mate
Point/Edge/plane/Cylinder/Surface
Standard Mates
Coincident. Positions selected faces, edges, and planes (in combination
with each other or combined with a single vertex) so they share the
same infinite plane. Positions two vertices so they touch.
Parallel. Places the selected items so they remain a constant distance
apart from each other.
Perpendicular. Places the selected items at a 90angle to each other.
Tangent. Places the selected items tangent to each other (at least one
selection must be a cylindrical, conical, or spherical face).
Concentric. Places the selections so that they share the same center line.
Lock. Maintains the position and orientation between two components.
Distance. Places the selected items with the specified distance between
them.
Angle. Places the selected items at the specified angle to each other.
Mate alignment. Toggle the mate alignment as necessary.
More @ mate help
 More information about insert
Placing first part at the origin of the assembly is good
practice.

By default, the first part placed in the assembly is fixed,

Subsequent parts are free(float) to move (translate by left
button and rotate by right button) except as constrained
by mates.

Fix / float
Right click the part in the feature tree, click fix/float to
change.
Topic 25: Motion study
 Practice
Page 641-644
5 parts
"back plate", "center axle", "lever", "throw bolt",
"handle"
231.16 61.59 10.2 12.45
Conclusion
Describe what assembly is.

Describe the process of creating assembly models in

modern CAD systems.

Describe how exploded view is.

Differentiate between top-down modeling and

bottom-up modeling techniques for assembly.
 Practice
Page 649-652, 5 parts.
shaft, Volume = 437657.64 cubic millimeters
piston, Volume = 90328.29 cubic millimeters
Part name:
block, shaft, piston, rod, pi
Do assembly and exploded view.
Take PISTON part for drawing and dimensioning.
 Page 645 - 648
Do assembly and exploded view.
Take MOTOR HOUSING part for drawing and
dimensioning.
 Practice
Page 653-660
Take WHEEL part for drawing and dimensioning.
 Practice
Page 671-675
Take FAUCET BASE part for drawing and
dimensioning.
Topic 26: Advanced assembly