Creating a Subassembly in SolidWorks
The ability to create subassemblies in SolidWorks is an essential skill for any designer or engineer. Subassemblies allow you to break down complex designs into smaller, more manageable components, making the overall design process more organized and efficient. In this tutorial, we will explore how to create a subassembly in SolidWorks step by step.
Step 1: Open Your Assembly
Before we dive into creating a subassembly, make sure you have your main assembly file open in SolidWorks. This main assembly will serve as the parent assembly for our subassembly.
Step 2: Insert Components
To create a subassembly, you need to insert the components that will make up the subassembly. These components can be existing parts or new parts that you create specifically for the subassembly.
To insert components, go to the “Insert” menu and select “Component” > “Existing Part/Assembly” or “New Part/Assembly.” Browse your computer for the desired component files and click “Open.”
Note:
- Existing Part/Assembly: This option allows you to insert parts or assemblies that already exist in your SolidWorks files.
- New Part/Assembly: This option allows you to create new parts or assemblies directly within your subassembly.
Step 3: Arrange and Mate Components
Once you have inserted all the necessary components for your subassembly, it’s time to arrange and mate them together. Mating ensures that the components are properly aligned and connected within the subassembly.
To mate components, use the various mating options available in SolidWorks such as coincident, concentric, parallel, and perpendicular. These options can be accessed through the “Mate” toolbar or the right-click context menu.
Note:
Tip: Properly naming your mates can help you keep track of how components are connected within your subassembly.
Step 4: Save as Subassembly
With all the components mated and arranged, it’s time to save your subassembly. To do this, go to “File” > “Save As” and choose a location on your computer to save the subassembly file.
In the “Save as type” drop-down menu, select “Assembly (*.sldasm)” and provide a suitable name for your subassembly file. Click “Save.”
Step 5: Insert Subassembly into Main Assembly
Now that you have created your subassembly, it’s time to insert it into your main assembly. To do this, open your main assembly if it’s not already open and follow these steps:
- Select the desired location within the main assembly where you want to insert the subassembly.
- Go to the “Insert” menu and select “Component” > “Existing Part/Assembly.”
- Browse for your saved subassembly file and click “Open.”
Note:
Tip: You can use mates again to properly position and align your subassembly within the main assembly.
Congratulations!
You have successfully created a subassembly in SolidWorks. By breaking down complex designs into smaller components, you can easily manage and modify different aspects of your assembly without affecting the entire design. Remember to save your work regularly to avoid any potential data loss.
Keep practicing and exploring the various features of SolidWorks to become a proficient designer or engineer. Happy designing!