Assembly Modeling with SolidWorks 2012

Book excerpt: Assembly Modeling with SolidWorks 2012 is written to assist the beginning SolidWorks user with a few months of design experience to the intermediate SolidWorks user who desires to enhance their skill sets in assembly modeling. The book provides a solid foundation in assembly modeling using competency-based projects. In step-by-step instructions, the book provides examples to: Start a SolidWorks session and to understand the following interfaces: Menu bar toolbar, Menu bar menu, Drop-down menus, Context toolbars, Consolidated drop-down toolbars, System feedback icons, Confirmation Corner, Heads-up View toolbar, CommandManager, and more. Set System Options and Document Properties as they apply to a part and assembly template. Create new SolidWorks folder locations: Document Templates, Reference Documents, and Design Library. Download components from 3D ContentCentral and rename and save components using SolidWorks Explorer. Apply the Bottom-up assembly approach with two levels of configurations using the Configure Component tool, the Configure Dimension tool, Design Tables, and the Add Configuration tool. Create new parts based on component features utilizing the Bottom-up assembly approach. Apply Standard Mates, SmartMates, and the Design Library Toolbox. Apply the Top-down assembly approach with two levels of configurations with In-Context components. Understand the following: Out-of-Context components, External References, InPlace Mates, redefining and replacing components and motion studies. Apply the Derived Feature Component Pattern tool, Linear Component Pattern tool, and the Mirror Component tool along with the Explode Line Sketch tool. Create a multi sheet, multi view assembly drawing. Knowledge of Custom Properties in a part/assembly and linked notes, with the ability to incorporate configurations of an Exploded view, Bill of Materials, Revision tables, and more. Address the Layout-based assembly approach and Global Variables and Equations to control relationships. Each chapter begins with the desired outcomes and usage competencies. Explore assembly modeling techniques through a series of design situations, industry scenarios, projects and objectives. Chapter 9 provides a bonus section on the Certified SolidWorks Associate CSWA program with sample exam questions and initial and final SolidWorks models. Passing the CSWA exam proves to employers that you have the necessary fundamental engineering graphics and SolidWorks competencies. The book compliments and enhances the SolidWorks Tutorials. Although over 150 SolidWorks tools and commands are utilized in Assembly Modeling with SolidWorks 2012, the book is not a reference guide. The book is a self-paced tutorial in a realistic design setting. Complex models expose you to large assembly modeling techniques. You focus on the design process while learning the commands relative to assemblies. To obtain the most from this text, you should be familiar with the SolidWorks User Interface or other parametric modeling software application. Your skill sets should include the ability to create simple parts, assemblies, and drawings and manipulate documents through the Windows operating system. The authors developed the industry scenarios by combining their own industry experience with the knowledge of engineers, department managers, vendors and manufacturers. These professionals are directly involved with SolidWorks everyday. They create assemblies with thousands of components and drawings with hundreds of sheets. Their responsibilities go far beyond the creation of just a 3D model.