Introduction to SolidWorks

Lesson 10 – Creating Assemblies and Sub-Assemblies
Section IV – Modeling Assemblies 10.1 Lesson Objectives

Lesson 10 – Creating Assemblies and

Sub-Assemblies

10.1 Lesson Objectives

After completing this Lesson, you will be able to:

 Customize Solidworks by creating an assembly template.

 Explain and create assemblies and sub-assemblies.

 Apply assembly mates.

 Explain and use the Change Transparency command.

10.2 Introduction

When we open a new assembly document, the software activates all the commands needed to
assemble two or more parts that were modeled previously. Most of these commands are
included in the Assembly toolbar. They include commands to move and rotate the individual
parts or the whole assembly. The Mate command can establish a relationship between different
parts. Some examples of relationships between parts are concentric, parallel and coincident.
Most are equivalent to the geometric relationships studied before, with the exception that they
are used with parts instead of lines.

In this Lesson, first we will customize SolidWorks by creating a template that we can use with
assemblies. Next, we will create the tire and wheel sub-assembly and then the truck sub-
assembly. Finally, we will learn to explode an assembly and to check for interference.

10.3 Creating the Assembly Template

To create the assembly template, we will follow Step 3 in Section 1. 4. The only critical option to
be selected is the units that will be used, inches or millimeters.

Step 80: Verify that the CommandManager shows the Assembly toolbar and the Sketch
toolbar.

 In ToolsOptions select the System Options tab, select FeatureManager and verify

that for Design Binder the pull-down menu says Show.

 Select the Document Properties tab and click Units to get Figure 10.1.

 Click IPS (inch, pound, second).

 Click OK.