What Does (+) Mean in SolidWorks?

If you’ve been using SolidWorks for some time, you may have come across the symbol (+) in various places within the software. This symbol holds a special significance and is used to convey important information to users. In this article, we’ll explore what the (+) symbol means in SolidWorks and how it can help enhance your design workflow.

Understanding the (+) Symbol

The (+) symbol is commonly used in SolidWorks to represent a mate reference. A mate reference is a predefined point or plane on a component that can be used as a reference when creating mates between different components in an assembly. By using mate references, you can easily align and position components accurately within an assembly.

When you see the (+) symbol next to a feature or component in SolidWorks, it indicates that the feature or component has one or more mate references defined. These mate references act as anchor points that allow you to establish relationships and connections between different components.

Using Mate References

To take advantage of mate references, simply select the component with the (+) symbol and then drag and drop it onto another component within your assembly. SolidWorks will automatically apply the appropriate mate based on the predefined mate references.

For example, let’s say you have two components: a shaft and a bearing housing. The bearing housing has a hole with a mate reference defined at its center. When you drag and drop the shaft onto the bearing housing, SolidWorks will automatically align and position the shaft concentrically with the hole using the defined mate reference.

The Benefits of Using Mate References

Time-saving: By using mate references, you can quickly establish connections between components without the need for manual measurements and calculations. This saves you valuable time during the design process.
Accuracy: Mate references ensure precise alignment and positioning of components, reducing the chances of errors and misalignments in your assembly.
Flexibility: As your design evolves, you can easily modify and update mate references to accommodate changes. This flexibility allows for efficient design iterations.

Tips for Working with Mate References

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when working with mate references in SolidWorks:

Create mate references: Whenever possible, define mate references on commonly used features or points within your components. This will make it easier to establish mates in future assemblies.
Name your mate references: Give meaningful names to your mate references so that they are easily identifiable when working with complex assemblies.
Use multiple mate references: In some cases, you may want to define multiple mate references on a component to provide additional flexibility when mating it with other components.

By utilizing the power of mate references, you can streamline your design process and create assemblies more efficiently in SolidWorks. The (+) symbol serves as a visual cue, indicating the presence of these important reference points. Incorporating this knowledge into your workflow will undoubtedly enhance your productivity and precision when working with assemblies.

In conclusion, understanding what the (+) symbol means in SolidWorks is essential for leveraging its benefits in your designs. By utilizing mate references effectively, you can save time, improve accuracy, and achieve greater flexibility in assembling components within an assembly.