Frequent question: How do you create a virtual assembly in Solidworks?

What is a virtual assembly in Solidworks?

SOLIDWORKS Video Tech Tips

Virtual components are used for assembly modeling in SOLIDWORKS and they are special parts because they are saved internally in the assembly file instead of in a separate part or subassembly file. This means they only exist inside the assembly and not physically on the hard drive somewhere.

How do you save a virtual part in Solidworks?

Right-click a virtual component and select Save Part(in External File) or Save Assembly(in External File).

What is virtual sub assembly?

When you make a subassembly virtual, you can make all of its child components virtual at the same time. Conversely, when you save a virtual subassembly to an external file, you can save all of its child components to external files at the same time.

How do you create a Solidworks assembly?

To create an assembly from a part:

1. Click Make Assembly from Part/Assembly (Standard toolbar) or File > Make Assembly from Part. An assembly opens with the Insert Component PropertyManager active.
2. Click in the graphics area to add the part to the assembly. SOLIDWORKS makes the first component fixed.

How do I create a part within an assembly in SOLIDWORKS?

Creating a Part in an Assembly

1. Click New Part (Assembly toolbar) or Insert > Component > New Part.
2. Enter a name for the new part in the Save As dialog box and click Save.
3. Select a plane or planar face (while the pointer is ). …
4. Construct the part features, using the same techniques you use to build a part on its own.

Can you save an assembly as a part in SOLIDWORKS?

To open the Save Assembly as Part PropertyManager: In an assembly, click File > Save As. Select Part (*.

What is Envelope solidworks?

An assembly envelope is a special type of assembly component. Envelopes have two main functions. You can use envelopes as reference components and as selection tools. Envelopes are ignored in global assembly operations such as bills of materials and mass properties.

How do you make Solidworks independent?

In an assembly, in the graphics area or FeatureManager design tree, right-click a component or Ctrl + select multiple components and click Make Independent . In the dialog box, click OK when asked to save the component with a new name.

Should I save internally or externally solidworks?

By saving internally, you are keeping the files virtual, meaning the only place they exist is within the assembly file. By choosing to save externally you will be given the option to choose the path where the files will be saved (the default being where the assembly is saved).

What does the phrase part and assembly mean in Solidworks?

A document in which parts, features, and other assemblies (subassemblies) are mated together. The parts and subassemblies exist in documents separate from the assembly. For example, in an assembly, a piston can be mated to other parts, such as a connecting rod or cylinder.

What is SpeedPak solidworks?

SpeedPak creates a simplified configuration of an assembly without losing references. If you work with very large and complex assemblies, using a SpeedPak configuration can significantly improve performance while working in the assembly and its drawing.

What is a lightweight part in Solidworks?

You can load an assembly with its active components fully resolved or lightweight. Both parts and subassemblies can be lightweight. When a component is fully resolved, all its model data is loaded in memory. When a component is lightweight, only a subset of its model data is loaded in memory.

How do you create assembly?

To create an assembly in the drawing by inserting an assembly from a tool palette

1. To display the Tool Palettes window: Click Home tab Palettes panel .
2. Open the tool palette containing the desired assembly.
3. On the tool palette, click the assembly, and then click a location in the drawing. Press Enter to end the command.

What does assembly mean in engineering?

Assembly is the process of combining individual components into a finished product during manufacturing.

How do I ground a part in SolidWorks?

To define a ground plane:

1. In an assembly, click Insert > Reference Geometry > Ground Plane.
2. In the PropertyManager, in Ground Plane, select a face in the assembly.
3. (Optional.) Click Reverse Direction , or click the handle in the graphics area.
4. Click . Ground Plane appears in the FeatureManager design tree.