SolidWorks 2010 Bible

CHAPTER

Using Smart

Components

IN THIS CHAPTER

Understanding Smart

Component elements

Applying Smart Components

Creating Smart Components

Working with Smart

Components tutorial

S

mart Components is functionality that can save you a lot of time; the
more standard parts or assemblies with associated part-level features
that you insert into your assemblies, the more time it can save you.
Like anything else of much automation value, it does require some setup,
but the setup is a one-time thing.

Smart Components are parts or assemblies that you can place into an upper-
level assembly and that carry with them mounting features and hardware
(cut-outs, mounting holes, and even fasteners). Smart Components are con-
figurable and can automatically size themselves on cylindrical parts.

Understanding Smart

Components

A Smart Component can comprise several elements:

l (^) A single part or an assembly that may use size configurations
l A configurable library feature that usually serves as mounting holes
or a viewing window for the Smart Component
l Associated hardware that may also be driven by size configurations
l (^) A training assembly that is used to define the Smart Component
Some minor limitations exist, as you might expect:
l (^) A Smart Component part cannot have references that are external to
the Smart Component group of which it is a member