How Do You Add McMaster-Carr Add in to SolidWorks?

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If you’re a SolidWorks user, you might be familiar with McMaster-Carr, the popular online industrial supply store. McMaster-Carr provides a vast catalog of mechanical components, tools, and materials that can be used in various engineering projects. In this tutorial, we will learn how to add the McMaster-Carr Add-in to SolidWorks and leverage its features to streamline your design process.

Step 1: Downloading the Add-in

The first step is to download the McMaster-Carr Add-in from their website. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Visit the McMaster-Carr website at www.com.
  2. Navigate to the CAD Models section and select SolidWorks as your CAD software.
  3. Find the desired component or part you want to download and click on it.
  4. On the product page, click on the “Download” button next to SolidWorks.

Note: You may need to create an account or log in before being able to download CAD models.

Step 2: Installing the Add-in

Once you have downloaded the McMaster-Carr Add-in file, follow these steps to install it:

  1. Locate the downloaded file on your computer (usually in your Downloads folder).
  2. Double-click on the file to run the installation wizard.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions and agree to any terms or conditions.
  4. Select your SolidWorks installation directory when prompted.
  5. Click “Install” to begin installing the add-in.

Step 3: Using the McMaster-Carr Add-in

Now that the add-in is installed, let’s explore its features and how to use them within SolidWorks:

Accessing the McMaster-Carr Library

To access the McMaster-Carr library from within SolidWorks, follow these steps:

  1. Open SolidWorks and create a new part or assembly document.
  2. In the top menu, click on “Tools” and then select “McMaster-Carr” from the dropdown menu.
  3. A new window will appear, displaying the McMaster-Carr library.

Browsing and Inserting Components

Within the McMaster-Carr library window, you can browse various categories and subcategories to find the desired component. To insert a component into your SolidWorks document, follow these steps:

  1. Navigate through the categories and subcategories to find your desired component.
  2. Select the component by clicking on it.
  3. Click “Insert” to place the component into your SolidWorks document.

Modifying Component Parameters

The McMaster-Carr Add-in also allows you to modify various parameters of inserted components directly within SolidWorks. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Select the inserted component in your SolidWorks document.
  2. In the feature tree or design tree, right-click on the component and select “Configure Component” from the context menu.
  3. A new window will appear, displaying editable parameters for that particular component.
  4. Modify the desired parameters and click “OK” to apply the changes.

Updating Components

If you want to update a component that was inserted using the McMaster-Carr Add-in, follow these steps:

  1. Select the inserted component in your SolidWorks document.
  2. The McMaster-Carr library window will appear, showing the selected component.
  3. Click “Update” to update the component with any available revisions or changes.

Note: The McMaster-Carr Add-in requires an internet connection to check for updates and download any new revisions of components.

Conclusion

The McMaster-Carr Add-in is a powerful tool for SolidWorks users, providing quick access to a vast library of mechanical components. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can easily add the add-in to your SolidWorks installation and take advantage of its features to enhance your design process. Happy designing!