Assembly configurations in Solidworks - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Assembly configurations

Business Question

How can we analyze different assembly configurations to understand their cost, weight, and production time impacts?

Sample Data: Assembly Configurations

Config ID	Assembly Name	Number of Parts	Total Weight (kg)	Production Time (hours)	Cost ($)
C1	Basic Model	50	120	8	1500
C2	Advanced Model	75	180	12	2300
C3	Premium Model	90	210	15	3000
C4	Lightweight Model	45	95	7	1700
C5	Heavy Duty Model	100	250	18	3500

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Average Cost
  Formula: AVERAGE([Cost ($)])
  Result: $2300
• KPI Card: Average Production Time
  Formula: AVERAGE([Production Time (hours)])
  Result: 12 hours
• Bar Chart: Cost by Assembly Configuration
  X-axis: Assembly Name
  Y-axis: Cost ($)
  Shows cost comparison across configurations
• Bar Chart: Production Time by Assembly Configuration
  X-axis: Assembly Name
  Y-axis: Production Time (hours)
  Shows time needed per configuration
• Table: Detailed Assembly Data
  Columns: Config ID, Assembly Name, Number of Parts, Total Weight (kg), Production Time (hours), Cost ($)
  Shows all raw data for reference

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+-----------------------+
| Average Cost         | Average Production Time|
|      $2300           |        12 hours        |
+----------------------+-----------------------+
|      Cost by Assembly Configuration (Bar Chart)      |
+-----------------------------------------------------+
| Production Time by Assembly Configuration (Bar Chart)|
+-----------------------------------------------------+
|               Detailed Assembly Data Table           |
+-----------------------------------------------------+

Interactivity

A filter dropdown allows selecting one or multiple Assembly Names. When a selection is made:

• KPI cards update to show averages only for selected configurations.
• Bar charts update to display data for selected configurations only.
• The detailed data table filters to show only the selected configurations.

This helps focus analysis on specific assembly configurations.

Self Check

If you add a filter to select only the "Lightweight Model" and "Basic Model", which components update and what changes occur?

• KPI Cards update to average cost and production time of these two models only.
• Bar charts show cost and production time bars only for these two models.
• Data table filters to show only rows for "Lightweight Model" and "Basic Model".

Key Result

Dashboard analyzing cost, production time, and details of different assembly configurations.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of assembly configurations in SolidWorks?

easy

A. To export assemblies to different file formats

B. To simulate motion of parts in an assembly

C. To create multiple versions of an assembly within a single file

D. To generate 2D drawings from 3D models

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of assembly configurations

   Assembly configurations allow you to have different versions of the same assembly in one file.

2. Step 2: Compare options given

   Exporting assemblies to different file formats, simulating motion of parts in an assembly, and generating 2D drawings from 3D models describe other features of SolidWorks, not assembly configurations.

3. Final Answer:

   To create multiple versions of an assembly within a single file -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Assembly configurations = multiple versions in one file [OK]

Hint: Think: one file, many assembly versions [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing configurations with exporting files
• Mixing up assembly motion simulation with configurations
• Thinking configurations generate drawings

2. Which of the following is the correct way to create a new assembly configuration in SolidWorks?

easy

A. Click 'File' > 'Export' > 'New Configuration'

B. Use the 'Save As' command to save a new file

C. Drag and drop parts into the assembly window

D. Right-click the assembly name in the ConfigurationManager and select 'Add Configuration'

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify how to add configurations

   In SolidWorks, new configurations are added via the ConfigurationManager by right-clicking the assembly name.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Using the 'Save As' command to save a new file, dragging and dropping parts into the assembly window, and clicking 'File' > 'Export' > 'New Configuration' describe unrelated actions.

3. Final Answer:

   Right-click the assembly name in the ConfigurationManager and select 'Add Configuration' -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Add configuration = right-click in ConfigurationManager [OK]

Hint: Right-click assembly in ConfigurationManager to add configs [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to create configurations by saving new files
• Confusing part insertion with configuration creation
• Looking for configuration options under export

3. Given an assembly with two configurations: Config1 where Part A is visible and Config2 where Part A is hidden, what will happen if you switch from Config1 to Config2?

medium

A. Part A will remain visible in both configurations

B. Part A will be hidden in Config2 but visible in Config1

C. Part A will be deleted from the assembly

D. The assembly will crash due to conflicting configurations

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand visibility control in configurations

   Configurations can control part visibility independently, so Part A can be visible in one and hidden in another.

2. Step 2: Analyze the effect of switching configurations

   Switching to Config2 hides Part A, but Config1 keeps it visible; no deletion or crash occurs.

3. Final Answer:

   Part A will be hidden in Config2 but visible in Config1 -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Visibility changes per configuration = Part A hidden in Config2 [OK]

Hint: Visibility can differ per configuration [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming parts get deleted when hidden
• Thinking visibility is global, not per configuration
• Believing conflicting configs cause crashes

4. You created a new assembly configuration but notice that changes to part positions are not saved when switching configurations. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. Part positions are not set to vary between configurations

B. The assembly file is corrupted

C. You forgot to save the assembly file

D. Configurations only control part visibility, not position

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand configuration control over part properties

   Configurations can control part visibility, size, and position if set to vary.

2. Step 2: Identify why position changes are not saved

   If part positions are not set to vary, changes won't be saved per configuration.

3. Final Answer:

   Part positions are not set to vary between configurations -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Positions must vary to save changes per config [OK]

Hint: Enable 'vary' for part positions to save changes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming file corruption causes this
• Forgetting to save the file
• Believing configurations can't control position

5. You want to create an assembly with three configurations: Default, Compact, and Extended. In Compact, some parts are hidden and others moved closer. In Extended, all parts are visible but some are repositioned. Which approach correctly manages these configurations?

hard

A. Use assembly configurations to control part visibility and position for each version

B. Create separate assembly files for each version to avoid confusion

C. Use part configurations inside each part instead of assembly configurations

D. Only change part colors to differentiate versions

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze requirements for multiple versions

   You need to control visibility and position differently in each configuration.

2. Step 2: Match approach to requirements

   Assembly configurations allow controlling visibility and position per version in one file, fitting the need.

3. Step 3: Eliminate other options

   Separate files increase management effort; part configurations control part internal states, not assembly layout; color changes don't affect visibility or position.

4. Final Answer:

   Use assembly configurations to control part visibility and position for each version -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Assembly configs control visibility & position per version [OK]

Hint: Use assembly configs to vary visibility and position per version [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Creating multiple files instead of configurations
• Using part configs for assembly layout changes
• Relying on color changes only