Page 156 - Mastering SolidWorks

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Creating a Simple aSSemBlY 125

create a 3D part is going to be different from how you want to show that part on your drawings.
Both methods work. You have to decide how you want to create your parts and how you want to
create your drawings.
SolidWorks includes tools for Model-Based Definition (MBD). This is a method where you
document the 3D part separate from a 2D drawing. Chapter 41, “Facilities Design Tools,” covers
MBD methods in detail, and drawings start in Chapter 24, “Automating Drawings: The Basics.”

Creating the Offset
You need to consider one more thing before you create the groove sketch. What should you use
to create the offset—the actual block edges or the original sketch? The answer to this is a Best
Practice issue.

Best Practice
when creating relations that need to adapt to the largest range of changes to the model, it is best to
go as far back in the model history as you can to pick up those relations. in most cases, this means
creating relations to sketches or reference geometry rather than to edges of the model. model edges
can be fickle, especially with the use of fillets, chamfers, and drafts. the technique of relating fea-
tures to driving layout sketches helps you create models that do not fail through the widest range
of changes.
One tool to help you easily see the parent/child relations between features is the dynamic reference
Visualization, found at View ➢ User interface ➢ dynamic reference Visualization.
much of the Solidworks software was created with initial ease of use in mind. Sometimes doing
what’s easy initially creates complications later in the design process. the easiest way to create the
slot is to open a sketch on the back face, and offset a sketch from the edges of the face, and then
apply sketch fillets. this method is very fast, but it is not very robust, meaning that there are several
ways in which errors can happen. in the end, there is no truly bullet-proof way to create a model.
each method has its benefits and potential problems.

VIDEO watch the video tutorial www.wiley.com/go/mastersolid for a demonstration of making
a simple part. You can follow along if you like. the finished part is also supplied in the downloadable
materials.

Creating a Simple Assembly
An assembly is a special document type in SolidWorks that allows you to position multiple parts
with respect to one another using geometrical mate relationships (such as coincident and
concentric) or distance relationships (such as dimensions). The simple assemblies you begin
creating here start with a single part that is located with respect to the assembly’s origin and
standard planes. This is very much like orienting the first sketch of a part to the part’s origin.
Parts can be added to the assembly in a number of ways and mated together using reference
geometry or faces. It is best if you can use reference geometry, because items like planes and axes