SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Chapter 12: Building Efficient Assemblies

Item numbering

Balloons number the parts according to the item number that is used in the BOM, but, of course,

you do not know the item numbers until the BOM is created. You can influence the item numbers

by reordering the parts in the assembly (which I discuss later in this chapter), by manually editing

item numbers, or by manually numbering the balloons. I cover all of this in detail in Chapter 24.

Individual steps

Each step corresponds to an assembly configuration (discussed in Chapter 14), and you can place

them on a separate sheet of the drawing (discussed in Chapter 21). Each configuration can have

multiple exploded views, if necessary, to show all the steps.

Patterning considerations

The most efficient way to pattern large numbers of components in an assembly is to pattern a

single subassembly with all the components to be patterned in it. While this may not be easily

combined with some of the other considerations that I mentioned previously, it is another option

that you can use to organize assemblies.

Using Folders

Folders are primarily used in the assembly FeatureManager for grouping parts and mates into

either special classifications for easy browsing, or groups that can be easily hidden and shown, or

suppressed and unsuppressed, as appropriate. Figure 12.10 shows some examples of these folders.

FIGURE 12.10

Folders that are used to organize components and mates