SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Chapter 12: Building Efficient Assemblies

To create a sensor in an assembly, right-click the Sensors folder in the assembly FeatureManager. If

the Sensors folder is not there, choose Tools ➪ Options ➪ FeatureManager page and turn it on.

Figure 12.18 shows the Sensor setup interface.

FIGURE 12.18

Setting up a sensor in an assembly

Using the AssemblyXpert

You can find the AssemblyXpertcan on the Tools menu, or choose Tools ➪ Customize from the
menu to place it on the Assembly toolbar. AssemblyXpert gives suggestions about things you can
do to improve the performance of an assembly, such as updating files to the new version and
looking at Large Assembly Mode, and existing errors in the assembly mates, in-context, and
supposedly circular references.

I was not able to confirm that AssemblyXpert would find a circular reference, but SolidWorks

and I might be using different definitions of circular reference. My definition is a list of parts

referencing other parts where the references form a loop, with one part as the start and end point.

AssemblyXpert could not find this kind of reference loop. SolidWorks may be using a more

explicit definition where specific geometry within a part is both driving and driven.

Figure 12.19 shows the AssemblyXpert results. Notice that the results include the information

formerly included with the Assembly Statistics: part and subassembly count, along with mates,

unique parts, and so on.

The information in the AssemblyXpert is certainly useful, particularly for newish users who may

not know to look for things like this already. You can use it as both a diagnostic and a learning

tool.