Sub-assembly creation in Solidworks - Dashboard Guide

Dashboard Mode - Sub-assembly creation

Goal

Understand how to create and analyze sub-assemblies in SolidWorks to improve assembly management and performance tracking.

Sample Data: Sub-assembly Components

Component ID	Component Name	Quantity	Cost per Unit ($)	Weight (kg)
101	Gear	4	15	0.5
102	Shaft	2	25	1.2
103	Bolt	10	0.5	0.05
104	Bracket	1	10	0.8
105	Spring	3	3	0.1

Dashboard Components

• KPI Card: Total Cost
  Formula: SUM(Quantity * Cost per Unit)
  Calculation: (4*15)+(2*25)+(10*0.5)+(1*10)+(3*3) = 60 + 50 + 5 + 10 + 9 = 134
• KPI Card: Total Weight
  Formula: SUM(Quantity * Weight)
  Calculation: (4*0.5)+(2*1.2)+(10*0.05)+(1*0.8)+(3*0.1) = 2 + 2.4 + 0.5 + 0.8 + 0.3 = 6.0 kg
• Bar Chart: Cost per Component
  Shows cost contribution of each component (Quantity * Cost per Unit)
  Values: Gear=60, Shaft=50, Bolt=5, Bracket=10, Spring=9
• Table: Component Details
  Shows all columns from sample data for reference

Dashboard Layout

+----------------------+----------------------+
|      Total Cost       |     Total Weight     |
|       $134            |       6.0 kg         |
+----------------------+----------------------+
|                                              |
|           Bar Chart: Cost per Component       |
|                                              |
+----------------------------------------------+
|                                              |
|             Table: Component Details          |
|                                              |
+----------------------------------------------+

Interactivity

A filter allows selecting specific components by name. When a component is selected, the KPI cards, bar chart, and table update to show data only for that component. For example, selecting 'Gear' updates Total Cost to $60 and Total Weight to 2.0 kg, and the bar chart and table show only Gear data.

Self Check

Add a filter to select only the 'Bolt' component. Which components update?

• Total Cost updates to $5
• Total Weight updates to 0.5 kg
• Bar Chart shows only Bolt with value $5
• Table shows only the Bolt row

Key Result

Dashboard shows cost and weight KPIs, cost distribution bar chart, and component details table for sub-assembly components.

Practice

1.

What is the main purpose of creating a sub-assembly in SolidWorks?

easy

A. To group related parts for easier management

B. To create a new part from scratch

C. To export the assembly as a 2D drawing

D. To change the color of parts automatically

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand sub-assembly concept

   Sub-assemblies group related parts to manage them easily within a larger assembly.

2. Step 2: Compare options

   Options A, B, and D describe unrelated tasks, not the main purpose of sub-assemblies.

3. Final Answer:

   To group related parts for easier management -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Sub-assembly = Group parts [OK]

Hint: Remember: sub-assemblies simplify complex assemblies [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing sub-assembly with part creation
• Thinking sub-assembly changes part colors
• Assuming sub-assembly exports drawings

2.

Which of the following is the correct way to create a sub-assembly in SolidWorks?

1. Insert parts into a new assembly document
2. Save the assembly with a clear name
3. Use the sub-assembly inside a larger assembly

easy

A. Create a new part, then save as sub-assembly

B. Export parts as separate files and link them

C. Open a drawing and add parts as sub-assembly

D. Insert parts into a new assembly, save it, then use it inside a larger assembly

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify correct sub-assembly creation steps

   Insert parts into a new assembly document, save it clearly, then use it inside a bigger assembly.

2. Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options

   Create a new part, then save as sub-assembly creates a part, not a sub-assembly. Open a drawing and add parts as sub-assembly uses drawings incorrectly. Export parts as separate files and link them exports parts separately, not sub-assembly.

3. Final Answer:

   Insert parts into a new assembly, save it, then use it inside a larger assembly -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Sub-assembly steps = Insert + Save + Use [OK]

Hint: Think: assemble parts first, then save as sub-assembly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Saving a part as sub-assembly
• Trying to create sub-assembly inside a drawing
• Not saving the assembly before using it

3.

Given a main assembly with two sub-assemblies, each containing 3 parts, how many total parts will the main assembly show?

medium

A. 2

B. 3

C. 6

D. 9

Solution

1. Step 1: Calculate parts in each sub-assembly

   Each sub-assembly has 3 parts, so 2 sub-assemblies have 3 x 2 = 6 parts.

2. Step 2: Add parts from sub-assemblies to main assembly

   Main assembly includes all parts from sub-assemblies, so total parts = 6.

3. Step 3: Check if main assembly has extra parts

   Since main assembly contains 2 sub-assemblies only, total parts = 6 parts inside sub-assemblies plus 0 extra parts = 6.

4. Final Answer:

   6 -> Option C

5. Quick Check:

   2 sub-assemblies x 3 parts = 6 parts [OK]

Hint: Multiply sub-assemblies by parts inside each [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Counting sub-assemblies as parts
• Adding sub-assemblies and parts incorrectly
• Ignoring parts inside sub-assemblies

4.

What is wrong with this sub-assembly creation process?

1. Insert parts into assembly
2. Save assembly as a part file (.sldprt)
3. Use it inside main assembly

medium

A. Inserting parts before saving is wrong

B. Saving assembly as a part file is incorrect

C. Using sub-assembly inside main assembly is not allowed

D. Parts should be inserted after saving

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify file type error

   Assemblies must be saved as assembly files (.sldasm), not part files (.sldprt).

2. Step 2: Confirm correct workflow

   Insert parts, save as assembly file, then use inside main assembly.

3. Final Answer:

   Saving assembly as a part file is incorrect -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   Assembly file extension = .sldasm [OK]

Hint: Save assemblies as .sldasm, not .sldprt [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Saving assemblies as part files
• Confusing file extensions
• Thinking parts insert order matters

5.

You have a complex assembly with 50 parts. To improve performance, you want to create sub-assemblies. Which approach is best?

hard

A. Group related parts into sub-assemblies and save them separately

B. Keep all parts in one assembly without sub-assemblies

C. Create sub-assemblies but do not save them separately

D. Convert all parts into drawings before assembly

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand performance benefits

   Grouping related parts into sub-assemblies reduces complexity and improves performance.

2. Step 2: Importance of saving sub-assemblies

   Saving sub-assemblies separately allows reuse and better management.

3. Step 3: Evaluate other options

   Keeping all parts together slows performance; not saving sub-assemblies loses benefits; converting parts to drawings is unrelated.

4. Final Answer:

   Group related parts into sub-assemblies and save them separately -> Option A

5. Quick Check:

   Sub-assemblies + save separately = better performance [OK]

Hint: Save sub-assemblies separately to improve performance [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Not saving sub-assemblies separately
• Keeping all parts in one big assembly
• Confusing drawings with assemblies