Creating an assembly document in Solidworks - Business Scenario Walkthrough

Scenario Mode

👤 Your Role: You are a mechanical design engineer working on a new product.

📋 Request: Your manager wants you to create an assembly document that shows how individual parts fit together to form the complete product.

📊 Data: You have 5 individual part files: Base, Shaft, Gear, Bolt, and Cover. Each part is designed separately in SolidWorks.

🎯 Deliverable: Create a SolidWorks assembly document that includes all parts positioned correctly, with exploded view and a bill of materials table.

Sample Data

Part Name	Description	Quantity
Base	Main support structure	1
Shaft	Rotating shaft	1
Gear	Transmission gear	1
Bolt	Fastening bolt	4
Cover	Protective cover	1

1

Step 1: Open SolidWorks and create a new assembly document.

File > New > Assembly > OK

Expected Result

A new empty assembly workspace opens.

2

Step 2: Insert the Base part into the assembly as the first component.

Insert > Component > Existing Part/Assembly > Select Base.sldprt > Open

Expected Result

Base part appears fixed in the assembly workspace.

3

Step 3: Insert the Shaft part and mate it concentrically and coincident with the Base.

Insert > Component > Existing Part/Assembly > Select Shaft.sldprt > Open; Use Mate tool: select cylindrical face of Shaft and hole in Base > Concentric; select flat face of Shaft and Base face > Coincident

Expected Result

Shaft is positioned correctly inside the Base.

4

Step 4: Insert the Gear part and mate it concentrically on the Shaft and coincident on the correct face.

Insert > Component > Existing Part/Assembly > Select Gear.sldprt > Open; Mate cylindrical face of Gear to Shaft > Concentric; Mate Gear face to Shaft face > Coincident

Expected Result

Gear is positioned on the Shaft correctly.

5

Step 5: Insert four Bolt parts and mate them to the Base holes with coincident and concentric mates.

Insert > Component > Existing Part/Assembly > Select Bolt.sldprt > Open; For each Bolt, mate cylindrical face to Base hole > Concentric; mate Bolt head face to Base face > Coincident; Repeat for all 4 bolts

Expected Result

All four Bolts are positioned correctly in the Base holes.

6

Step 6: Insert the Cover part and mate it coincident to the Base top face.

Insert > Component > Existing Part/Assembly > Select Cover.sldprt > Open; Mate bottom face of Cover to top face of Base > Coincident

Expected Result

Cover is positioned correctly on top of the Base.

7

Step 7: Create an exploded view showing all parts separated for clarity.

Assembly tab > Exploded View > Select components and drag them apart along appropriate axes > Confirm

Expected Result

Exploded view shows all parts spaced apart clearly.

8

Step 8: Create a drawing document from the assembly.

File > Make Drawing from Assembly > OK (use default template)

Expected Result

A new drawing document opens with the assembly view.

9

Step 9: Add a Bill of Materials (BOM) table to the assembly drawing.

Insert > Tables > Bill of Materials > Select assembly > Choose template > Place BOM table on drawing sheet

Expected Result

BOM table lists all parts with quantities and descriptions.

10

Step 10: Save the assembly document with all components and views.

File > Save As > Enter file name for assembly.sldasm and drawing.slddrw > Save

Expected Result

Assembly and drawing documents saved with all parts and exploded view.

Final Result

Assembly Document
-----------------
| Base          |
|   Shaft       |
|    Gear       |
| 4 x Bolt      |
| Cover         |

[Exploded View]
Base    Shaft    Gear    Bolts    Cover
  O       O       O       O        O

Bill of Materials:
Part Name | Description          | Quantity
------------------------------------------
Base      | Main support structure| 1
Shaft     | Rotating shaft        | 1
Gear      | Transmission gear     | 1
Bolt      | Fastening bolt        | 4
Cover     | Protective cover      | 1

Bonus Challenge

Create a motion study to simulate the rotation of the Shaft and Gear within the assembly.

Show Hint

Use the Motion Study tab, add rotary motor to the Shaft, and observe gear movement.

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