If you’re looking to create an opposite hand assembly in SolidWorks, you’ve come to the right place. In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of creating a mirrored version of an existing assembly. So let’s dive in and get started!
Step 1: Open the Assembly
Firstly, open the assembly file that you want to create the opposite hand version of. This could be any assembly that you’ve previously worked on or a new one that you’re starting from scratch.
Step 2: Save a Copy
Before making any changes, it’s always a good idea to save a copy of your original assembly file. This way, if anything goes wrong during the mirroring process, you’ll still have your original design intact.
Step 3: Create a New Configuration
To create the opposite hand version of your assembly, start by creating a new configuration. This will allow you to make changes without affecting the original configuration.
To do this, right-click on the configuration tab at the bottom of the SolidWorks window and select “Add Configuration” from the context menu.
Step 3.1: Name Your Configuration
In the pop-up window that appears, give your new configuration a meaningful name such as “Opposite Hand”. This will help you easily identify it later on.2: Activate Your New Configuration
Once you’ve named your new configuration, make sure to activate it by right-clicking on its tab and selecting “Activate” from the context menu. This will ensure that any changes you make are applied to this specific configuration.
Step 4: Mirror Components
Now that you have your new configuration set up, it’s time to start mirroring the components of your assembly. To do this, follow these steps:
Step 4.1: Select Components
Select the components that you want to mirror. You can do this by either clicking on each component individually or by using the “Ctrl” key to select multiple components at once.
Step 4.2: Activate Mirror Components Tool
Next, activate the “Mirror Components” tool from the SolidWorks toolbar. This tool can be found under the “Insert” menu or by using the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl+M”.3: Choose Mirror Plane
In the pop-up window that appears, choose a mirror plane for your components. This plane will define the axis along which your components will be mirrored.
You can select an existing plane from your assembly or create a new one by selecting a face or an edge.4: Adjust Options
Before finalizing the mirroring process, make sure to adjust any additional options as needed. These options include things like merging coincident faces and selecting whether to create a new configuration for mirrored components.
Step 5: Review and Modify
Once you’ve completed the mirroring process, take some time to review your opposite hand assembly and make any necessary modifications.
Step 6: Save and Document Changes
Finally, don’t forget to save your opposite hand assembly and document any changes you’ve made in your design documentation or revision history.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully created an opposite hand assembly in SolidWorks. By following these steps and using the mirroring tools available in SolidWorks, you can easily create mirrored versions of your assemblies without starting from scratch.
- Step 1: Open the Assembly
- Step 2: Save a Copy
- Step 3: Create a New Configuration
- Step 3.1: Name Your Configuration
- Step 3.2: Activate Your New Configuration
- Step 4: Mirror Components
- Step 4.1: Select Components
- Step 4.2: Activate Mirror Components Tool
- Step 4.3: Choose Mirror Plane
- Step 4.4: Adjust Options
-
Conclusion
In conclusion, mirroring an assembly to create an opposite hand version can be done easily using SolidWorks’ mirroring tools and configurations. By following the step-by-step process outlined in this tutorial, you’ll be able to efficiently create mirrored assemblies without the need for manual reassembly.
If you found this tutorial helpful, check out our other SolidWorks tutorials for more tips and tricks!
Visit our website for more tutorials.
Happy designing!