Creating an assembly document in Solidworks - Dashboard Building Guide

Dashboard Mode - Creating an assembly document

Goal

Understand how to create an assembly document in SolidWorks to combine multiple parts into one model.

Sample Data

Part ID	Part Name	Material	Quantity
101	Base Plate	Steel	1
102	Shaft	Aluminum	2
103	Gear	Plastic	3
104	Cover	Steel	1
105	Fastener	Steel	10

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Total Parts Count
  Formula: Sum of Quantity column = 1+2+3+1+10 = 17
• Table: Parts List
  Shows Part ID, Name, Material, Quantity
• Chart: Material Distribution Pie Chart
  Shows percentage of parts by material type:
  • Steel: 1+1+10 = 12 parts
  • Aluminum: 2 parts
  • Plastic: 3 parts
  Percentages: Steel 70.6%, Aluminum 11.8%, Plastic 17.6%
• Instruction Panel: Steps to create assembly document:
  1. Open SolidWorks and select 'New'
  2. Choose 'Assembly' document type
  3. Insert parts from parts list
  4. Use mates to position parts correctly
  5. Save the assembly document

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+----------------------+
|      KPI Card        |  Instruction Panel   |
|  Total Parts: 17     |  Steps to create    |
|                      |  assembly document  |
+----------------------+----------------------+
|                  Parts List Table             |
|  (Part ID, Name, Material, Quantity)          |
+-----------------------------------------------+
|           Material Distribution Pie Chart      |
+-----------------------------------------------+

Interactivity

Filter by Material type:
- Selecting a material filters the Parts List Table to show only parts of that material.
- KPI Card updates to show total quantity of filtered parts.
- Pie Chart highlights the selected material slice.

Self Check

Add a filter for Material = Steel.
Which components update?
- Parts List Table shows only Steel parts (Base Plate, Cover, Fastener).
- KPI Card updates total parts to 12.
- Pie Chart highlights Steel slice.

Key Result

Dashboard shows parts list, total parts count, material distribution, and steps to create an assembly document in SolidWorks.

Practice

1. What is the main purpose of creating an assembly document in SolidWorks?

easy

A. To combine multiple parts and show how they fit together

B. To create a 2D drawing of a single part

C. To write code for automating part creation

D. To export parts as image files

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the role of assembly documents

   Assembly documents are used to combine parts to visualize how they fit and work together.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from other document types

   Unlike part or drawing documents, assemblies focus on multiple parts and their relationships.

3. Final Answer:

   To combine multiple parts and show how they fit together -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Assembly = Combine parts [OK]

Hint: Assemblies show part relationships, not single parts [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing assembly with part document
• Thinking assembly creates 2D drawings
• Assuming assembly is for coding or exporting images

2. Which SolidWorks command is used to add parts into an assembly document?

easy

A. Extrude Boss/Base

B. New Part

C. Save As

D. Insert Components

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the command to add parts

   The 'Insert Components' command allows you to bring existing parts into an assembly.

2. Step 2: Exclude unrelated commands

   'New Part' creates a new part file, 'Save As' saves files, and 'Extrude Boss/Base' creates features inside parts.

3. Final Answer:

   Insert Components -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Add parts = Insert Components [OK]

Hint: Use 'Insert Components' to add parts in assembly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing 'New Part' instead of inserting existing parts
• Confusing feature commands with assembly commands
• Using 'Save As' to add parts

3. Consider you inserted two parts in an assembly and applied a 'Coincident Mate' between their faces. What will happen?

medium

A. The assembly will show an error and not save

B. The two faces will align and touch each other

C. The parts will move freely without restriction

D. The parts will merge into a single part

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the 'Coincident Mate'

   This mate aligns two faces so they touch and stay together in the assembly.

2. Step 2: Clarify what does not happen

   The parts do not merge; they remain separate but connected. The assembly does not error or allow free movement for those faces.

3. Final Answer:

   The two faces will align and touch each other -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Coincident Mate = Faces touch [OK]

Hint: 'Coincident Mate' aligns faces exactly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking parts merge into one
• Assuming parts remain free to move
• Believing assembly errors on mate

4. You tried to insert a part into an assembly but received an error saying the part is already in the assembly. What is the likely cause?

medium

A. The part file is missing from the computer

B. The assembly document is corrupted

C. You are trying to insert the same part twice without renaming

D. You did not save the assembly before inserting

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the error message

   The error indicates the part is already present, so inserting it again without changes causes conflict.

2. Step 2: Exclude other causes

   Corruption or missing files cause different errors. Not saving assembly does not prevent insertion.

3. Final Answer:

   You are trying to insert the same part twice without renaming -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Duplicate part insertion = Error [OK]

Hint: Avoid inserting identical parts twice without changes [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming assembly corruption causes this error
• Thinking missing files cause this error
• Believing saving assembly is required before insert

5. You want to create an assembly where a wheel rotates around an axle but does not move sideways. Which mate combination should you use?

hard

A. Use a concentric mate for rotation and a coincident mate to fix sideways movement

B. Use two coincident mates on the wheel and axle faces

C. Use a distance mate to keep the wheel fixed in place

D. Use a parallel mate to allow free rotation and movement

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand rotation and movement constraints

   A concentric mate aligns the wheel and axle axes allowing rotation. A coincident mate fixes sideways movement by aligning faces.

2. Step 2: Evaluate other mate options

   Two coincident mates restrict rotation. Distance mate fixes position but may restrict rotation. Parallel mate allows unwanted movement.

3. Final Answer:

   Use a concentric mate for rotation and a coincident mate to fix sideways movement -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Rotation + fixed sideways = Concentric + Coincident [OK]

Hint: Concentric for rotation, coincident to fix sideways [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using only coincident mates restricting rotation
• Using distance mate that blocks rotation
• Choosing parallel mate allowing unwanted movement