Fixed vs. Mates

[dlarz]

Any opinion on "fixing" components in assemblies versus mating them? Most of my mated parts show up as under defined in the feature tree but seem to be placed correctly. Once I fix them they aren't going anywhere. Now the boss wants an exploded assembly of the 100+ part model. Am I right that I can't do that with fixed components? Thanks.

 

[Standing]

dlarz,
Give it a quick try. Go into configurations and do an auto explode. Let us know if it works.

Bradley

 

[TheTick]

You can still explode fixed components. Auto-explode doesn't work so well.

We do a lot of automotive interior components. All of the components are fixed and modeled in in-car position.

"When everyone is thinking alike, no one is thinking very much." --Eckhard Schwarz (1930--2004)

http://www.EsoxRepublic.com

 

[MadMango]

It really depends on the design of your end product, and what function your models provide.

Our assemblies are about 600 components, all are mated, none are fixed. Having fixed parts with hardware is a bad idea. If there is a change to a part, your hardware will not update to the new hole locations, and interferences and other problems could be introduced.

We don't fully define some items, such as hardware, as we feel the added mates to keep something from rotating does not prove to be beneficial when compared to the strain on the computer when resolving mates.

[blue]"But what... is it good for?"[/blue]
Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, 1968, commenting on the microchip.
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

I agree with MadMango on this one.

However, if you have time to experiment, make all the parts fully mated, then make a new config. In that config, suppress all the mates, then Fix all the parts. The orignal config should have all the mates unsupressed & the "fixed" suppressed. Then you will have the best of both worlds.

from (the City of) Barrie, Ontario.

I tried sniffing Coke once, but the ice cubes got stuck in my nose

 

[dlarz]

Thanks to all - a lot of good info here! Some answers, additional points:

1 Already tried auto-explode without success. I kinda knew it wouldn't work anyhow.
2 I forgot to mention that I did not fix the hardware so whan I auto-explode, fasteners are the only items that move.
3 Unfortunately no time to play. I'm actually a consultant with the company. I bought in SolidWorks for the company's long term program but have no idea if I'll be a part of that. I like the idea a configuration options though.

Thanks to all.