Advanced mates (angle, width, path) in Solidworks - Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Advanced mates in SolidWorks help you control how parts move and fit together in complex ways. They let you set angles, control widths, and guide parts along paths, making your assembly behave just like real objects.

When you need to fix the angle between two parts, like setting a door at 45 degrees open.

When you want to keep a specific gap or width between parts, such as a spring compressed to a certain size.

When you want a part to follow a curved path, like a sliding drawer moving along rails.

When parts must move together but only within certain limits, like a hinge that stops at 90 degrees.

When you want to simulate real-world motion in your assembly for testing or presentation.

Steps

Step 1: Open your assembly file

- SolidWorks main window

Your assembly with parts is visible on screen

Step 2: Click Mate button

- Assembly tab on the CommandManager toolbar

Mate PropertyManager opens on the left side

Step 3: Select the two faces, edges, or vertices you want to mate

- Graphics area

Selected items highlight and appear in Mate selections

Step 4: Click Advanced Mates dropdown

- Mate PropertyManager

Advanced mate options like Angle, Width, and Path become available

Step 5: Choose Angle mate

- Advanced Mates section

Angle mate controls appear allowing you to set the angle value

💡 Use the angle input box to type exact degrees or drag the arrow to adjust visually

Step 6: Choose Width mate

- Advanced Mates section

Width mate controls appear allowing you to set the distance between two faces

💡 Select two faces on opposite sides to define the width

Step 7: Choose Path mate

- Advanced Mates section

Path mate controls appear allowing you to select a path curve and a part to follow it

💡 Select the path curve first, then the part or edge that will move along it

Step 8: Set limits or values as needed

- Mate PropertyManager

Mate behavior updates to reflect your settings

Step 9: Click OK

- Mate PropertyManager

Mate is applied and parts move or stay fixed according to your advanced mate

Before vs After

Before

Parts move freely without controlled angles or paths, causing unrealistic assembly behavior

After

Parts move only within set angles, widths, or along defined paths, simulating real-world motion accurately

Settings Reference

Angle Value

📍 Mate PropertyManager under Angle mate

Sets the exact angle between two selected entities

Default: 0°

Width Distance

📍 Mate PropertyManager under Width mate

Defines the distance between two opposite faces

Default: 0 mm

Path Selection

📍 Mate PropertyManager under Path mate

Specifies the path and the part that moves along it

Default: None

Limit Stops

📍 Mate PropertyManager for Angle and Path mates

Restricts movement within set boundaries

Default: Disabled

Common Mistakes

Selecting incorrect faces or edges for mates

This causes mates to behave unexpectedly or fail to constrain parts properly

Carefully select the intended faces or edges that define the desired relationship

Not setting limits on angle or path mates

Parts may rotate or move beyond realistic positions, breaking the assembly

Use limit stops to restrict movement within practical ranges

Using path mate without a proper path curve

The part will not follow the intended motion path

Ensure the path is a valid curve or edge suitable for guiding the part

Summary

Advanced mates let you control angles, widths, and paths between parts in assemblies.

They help simulate real-world movement and positioning accurately.

Always select correct geometry and set limits to avoid unrealistic motion.

Practice

1.

What is the main purpose of using angle mates in SolidWorks assemblies?

easy

A. To create a path for a part to follow

B. To control the rotational angle between two components

C. To lock the position of a part in all directions

D. To fix the distance between two parts

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the function of angle mates

   Angle mates specifically control the rotational angle between two parts, allowing precise angular positioning.

2. Step 2: Compare with other mate types

   Distance mates control linear spacing, fixed mates lock all movement, and path mates guide movement along a path.

3. Final Answer:

   To control the rotational angle between two components -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Angle mates = control rotation [OK]

Hint: Angle mates set rotation, not distance or fixed position [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing angle mates with distance mates
• Thinking angle mates fix all movement
• Mixing path mates with angle mates

2.

Which of the following is the correct syntax to create a width mate between two faces in SolidWorks?

1. Select both faces
2. Choose Width Mate
3. Select the center plane
4. Confirm

easy

A. Select one face and one edge, then apply width mate directly

B. Select two edges, then select a reference axis to define the width mate

C. Select two faces, then select a center plane to define the width mate

D. Select two faces only, width mate applies automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the correct selection for width mate

   Width mates require selecting two faces and a center plane or axis to define the width constraint.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Edges alone or one face and one edge do not define width mates properly; automatic application without center reference is incorrect.

3. Final Answer:

   Select two faces, then select a center plane to define the width mate -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Width mate = two faces + center plane [OK]

Hint: Width mates need two faces plus a center reference [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Selecting edges instead of faces
• Skipping the center plane selection
• Assuming width mate applies automatically

3.

Given an assembly where a path mate is applied to a slider component along a curved edge, what will happen if the path is a closed loop?

medium

A. The slider will move continuously around the loop without stopping

B. The slider will stop at the start point and cannot move further

C. The slider will move back and forth along the path

D. The slider will detach from the path and float freely

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand path mate behavior on closed loops

   Path mates constrain movement along a defined path. If the path is closed, the component can move continuously around it.

2. Step 2: Analyze other options

   Stopping or detaching does not occur unless additional mates or limits are applied; back and forth motion requires limits or motors.

3. Final Answer:

   The slider will move continuously around the loop without stopping -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Closed path mate = continuous motion [OK]

Hint: Closed path means endless movement along it [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming slider stops at start point
• Thinking path mate causes back and forth by default
• Believing slider detaches without extra mates

4.

In an assembly, a user tries to apply an angle mate between two faces but receives an error. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The angle mate requires a reference axis which is missing

B. The faces are coincident and angle mate is redundant

C. The two faces are parallel and angle mate cannot be applied

D. The faces belong to the same part and mates require different parts

Solution

1. Step 1: Check mate requirements

   Mates in SolidWorks connect different parts; applying mates between faces of the same part is invalid.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other options

   Angle mates can be applied to parallel faces; coincident faces do not cause errors; reference axis is not always required.

3. Final Answer:

   The faces belong to the same part and mates require different parts -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Mates connect parts, not faces on same part [OK]

Hint: Mates only work between different parts [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to mate faces on the same part
• Assuming parallel faces block angle mates
• Thinking reference axis is always needed

5.

You need to assemble a robotic arm where the forearm must rotate exactly 45 degrees relative to the upper arm and slide along a curved track. Which combination of advanced mates should you use?

hard

A. Angle mate for rotation and path mate for sliding along the track

B. Width mate for rotation and angle mate for sliding

C. Path mate for rotation and width mate for sliding

D. Distance mate for rotation and path mate for sliding

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify mate for rotation control

   Angle mates precisely control rotation between parts, perfect for setting 45 degrees between forearm and upper arm.

2. Step 2: Identify mate for sliding along curved track

   Path mates constrain movement along a curve, ideal for sliding motion along the track.

3. Step 3: Eliminate incorrect options

   Width mates control width, not rotation or sliding; distance mates control linear spacing, not rotation.

4. Final Answer:

   Angle mate for rotation and path mate for sliding along the track -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Rotation = angle mate, sliding = path mate [OK]

Hint: Use angle for rotation, path for curved sliding [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using width mate for rotation
• Confusing distance mate with angle mate
• Applying path mate for rotation