What Is a Derived Part in SolidWorks?
SolidWorks is a powerful computer-aided design (CAD) software widely used in the industry for creating 3D models. One of its key features is the ability to create derived parts, which are new parts that are based on existing parts. Derived parts can be extremely useful when you want to make modifications to an existing part without affecting the original design.
Why Use Derived Parts?
Derived parts offer several advantages that make them a valuable tool in the design process. Here are some reasons why you might consider using derived parts in SolidWorks:
- Design Iterations: When you need to explore different design variations or iterations, derived parts allow you to quickly create and modify new versions based on an existing part. This saves time and effort compared to starting from scratch.
- Assembly Design: Derived parts can be particularly handy when working with assemblies.
By creating variations of a part, you can easily test different configurations without affecting the main assembly.
- Parametric Design: SolidWorks allows you to define parameters and relationships between features. When using derived parts, these parameters and relationships can be inherited, making it easier to maintain design intent across multiple variations.
Creating a Derived Part
To create a derived part in SolidWorks, follow these steps:
- Select the base part that you want to derive from.
- Right-click on the base part in the FeatureManager Design Tree and select “Insert Derived Part”.
- In the “Insert Derived Part” dialog box, choose the desired options such as whether to link or break the references to the base part, and the name and location of the derived part file.
- Click “OK” to create the derived part.
Once you have created a derived part, you can modify it independently from the base part. Any changes made to the base part will not affect the derived part unless it is explicitly updated.
Managing Derived Parts
SolidWorks provides several tools for managing derived parts:
- Update: If you want to update a derived part with changes made to the base part, right-click on the derived part in the FeatureManager Design Tree and select “Update”. This will bring the derived part in sync with any modifications made to the base part.
- Delete: To remove a derived part, simply right-click on it in the FeatureManager Design Tree and select “Delete”.
This will not affect the base part or any other derived parts.
- Rename: You can rename a derived part by right-clicking on it in the FeatureManager Design Tree and selecting “Rename”. This can be useful when managing multiple variations of a design.
Tips for Using Derived Parts Effectively
To make the most out of derived parts in SolidWorks, consider these tips:
- Organize Your Files: Keep your files well-organized by using meaningful names for both base and derived parts. This will make it easier to manage and locate specific files later on.
- Create Design Tables: Design tables allow you to create multiple configurations within a single file.
By combining design tables with derived parts, you can efficiently manage a wide range of design variations.
- Use Equations: SolidWorks equations can help automate design modifications across derived parts. By defining equations based on parameters, you can ensure consistent changes across all variations.
In conclusion, derived parts in SolidWorks are a powerful tool that allows designers to create new variations based on existing parts. By using derived parts effectively, you can streamline design iterations, explore different configurations, and maintain design intent across a range of options.