Insert multiple instances of component
Insert multiple instances of component
(OP)
Greetings,
I am having a hard time with this one. If I am in an assembly with random bolt holes, not a pattern. All holes get the same 1/4-20 bolt. Is there a way to drag the bolt into position other than to mate each one individually? It gets tiring.
Thanks,
Steve
I am having a hard time with this one. If I am in an assembly with random bolt holes, not a pattern. All holes get the same 1/4-20 bolt. Is there a way to drag the bolt into position other than to mate each one individually? It gets tiring.
Thanks,
Steve






RE: Insert multiple instances of component
And you can try Component Patterns, you just have to give distances to each hole. Depending on how much hardware you have, it may be better to go this route. This way, you only insert 1 instance of your similar hardware, which will make things easier down the road (less computer intense) when you assemblies start to get bigger.
"Happy the Hare at morning for she is ignorant to the Hunter's waking thoughts."
RE: Insert multiple instances of component
If you want I can send you and example of a derived sketch part. By doing this and having SW Toolbox all you have to do is:
1) Pick one hole
2) Then Pick Insert Smart Fastners
3) Pick the bolt
4) Choose your specs for the bolts and OK it.
Works pretty darn good.
I hope that helps,
Scott Baugh, CSWP
credence69@REMOVEhotmail.com
http://members.sigecom.net/sbaugh/
RE: Insert multiple instances of component
BBJT CSWP
RE: Insert multiple instances of component
Adding things like patterns to your models up front will make asssembly life a whole lot easier.
BBJT CSWP
RE: Insert multiple instances of component
The other frequently used method is to make holes in my parts to be patterns. I put in one seed hole in a part, then repeat it as a pattern. I color the initial hole red so I can find it in the assembly.
I mate a fastener to the initial hole, then use component/pattern/existing to add the rest. There are some limits on this which you will discover. Mostly you can't make a pattern of a pattern, and a few other details. It does speed up things a lot.
Crashj 'screw this' Johnson
RE: Insert multiple instances of component
SW Toolbox is perfect for your application. Smart Fasteners is perfect for this. Use it! If you dont have yet, buy it!
You can write a macro too, but this is much more complicaded.
Hope that helps.
PS: Hey Scott, I saw your page. It is very cool. I take one or two parts and one example in excel. And the picture of the car, it is very beatifull too!
RE: Insert multiple instances of component
RE: Insert multiple instances of component
As for your option on being faster than smart fasteners, I disagree. I used to feel the same way as you do now, till I sat down and figured out how to use smart fasteners.
I don't know exactly what you’re doing to get errors, but you have to remember this. (You may already know this, but it is important for others reading this to know about it) When using SW it is very important to decide on how your going start, & build it before you actually begin. Because that is usually the biggest thing that everyone forgets to do and it eventually leads to errors later. I know this because I have been teaching myself how to use SW since it came out. Even with my CSWP Certification, I still have to keep up with the new features SW adds in every revision.
Best Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP
credence69@REMOVEhotmail.com
http://members.sigecom.net/sbaugh/
RE: Insert multiple instances of component
First... The pattern for the bolts to follow MUST be made using the hole wizard. The rest is gravy...
Second... Mate the first bolt into the first location specified in your hole wizard pattern...
Third... Insert a componet pattern with your first bolt as a the item to copy and the hole wizard pattern as the pattern to copy.....Presto...
I've used this method for 20 to 30 bolts, screws, pins etc. at a time and it has never failed.
RE: Insert multiple instances of component
Thanks for all of the positive input.
Steve
RE: Insert multiple instances of component
You can do this in SolidWorks 2001Plus SP2.
Ctrl select all the circular edges (holes) that you want a fastener in, the on the Toolbox tab, right click on the fastener you would like to insert and select the 'Insert into assembly' option....
Hope this helps,
Joy
RE: Insert multiple instances of component
If you have a patterned set of holes and you insert the component into one of those holes in the patten you can populate the rest of the holes by using the INSERT/COMPONENT PATTERN command and select "use an existing feature pattern (derived)" option. Select the bolt as your seed component, and select the inside face of one of the instances of the holes in the pattern and SWX will fill all of the instances within that pattern with the bolt you've selected.
Hope that helps
Regards,
Jon
jgbena@yahoo.com