how to quickly "repeat" same component in assembly

[jamiddel]

Hello,
Does anyone out there know how to "repeat" components into an assembly? For example, you have a sheetmetal plate, you insert one threaded pem insert into a hole and define 2 mates (bottom of pem to bottom of plate, and center axis of pem to center axis of plate hole). Then you want to add a bunch more of the same pem part to other holes in the sheetmetal plate, with no defined pattern, and without having to assemble 2 mates for each new pem. In Pro-E you can select the component, then "repeat" and select the axis mate, then simply select one by one each of the other hole axis's you want pems, they simply pop in and keep the other mate to the bottom of the metal plate...Adding a bunch of the same pems quickly to different locations, not one by one defining the two necessary mates for each and every pem. Hope that makes sense. Thanks in advance for your expertise.

 

[rlj4794]

With PEM's, I like to use hole wizard to create my Pem holes and use feature driven patterns.

 

[dgowans]

In the absence of a true pattern, I'd like into adding mate references to the component being added multiple times. If you're using a PEM fastener from the Toolbox the mate references may already be there. If you're using a model of the PEM that you created or downloaded you can certainly add the mate references.

What the mate references do is allow you to add the appropriate mates automatically when dragging the part into your assembly. Check the help - I've done this in the past and it seemed pretty straightforward at the time.

 

[JMirisola]

Wait for 2008...then you can copy not only the part, but it's mates, too...

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP2.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2GB RAM, nVidia 2500M

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

 

[ctopher]

Add smart mates to the part then add to your library.

Chris
SolidWorks 07 3.0/PDMWorks 07
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 04-21-07)

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

You could also create a sketch and add a point at the centre of each hole in which you want the fastener placed, then use that sketch to pattern the seed fastener.

 

[fcsuper]

CTRL-ALT and left mouse button click on a part to drag and copy it with Smart Mates turned on.

Matt
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA
sw.fcsuper.com
Co-moderator of Solidworks Yahoo! Group

 

[ng89]

I would do as CorBlimeyLimey suggested, but if you don't like to do that or to do SmartMates for any reason:

What might help you a little is the Multi-Mate tool - added in 2007. First add all the PEMs you need (quick by holding CTRL and draging and dropping the number you need from the feature manager tree). Then click the one face of the sheet metal and click the Mate command/button. Near the top left is a paper clip button with a lightning bolt going through it. Click that to enable multi-mates. Then you can click the correct face on each of your PEMs in that one command.

Mating your axes is another story, but at least this is a start.

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[AnnaWood]

I create the holes with the Hole Wizard. Then you can add your PEM to the seed hole of the Hole Wizard feature. To find the seed hole, click on the feature and the hole with all the dimensions is the seed hole. Mate your first pem there, then invoke the Feature Driven Pattern command.

Feature Driven Patterns are one of our most used commands for populating hole patterns with fasteners, spring packs, etc in the die designs we use.

Regards,



Anna Wood
SW 2007 SP4.0, WinXP
Dell Precision 380, Pentium D940, 4 Gigs RAM, FX3450

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/solidmuse

http://www.phxswug.com

 

[jamiddel]

Thanks everyone for your replies! Looks like there are several good ways to achieve the result. Thanks!!

 

[badboggs]

jamiddel,

One method that was not brought up here is one that use regularly. Here are the steps.

1) Have the PEM and the assy open.
2) Tile the screen so you can see both viewports.
3) Adjust your assy view so the hole you want to mate to is visible.
4) On the PEM select an edge that will be both concentric and coincident to its correct position in the assy.
5) Hold CTRL and drag the PEM edge into the assy and hover over the corresponding edge.
6) Toggle the coincident mate with the TAB key.
7) When you release the part will be mated with both mates.
8) Readjust your assy view and repeat as necessary.

This is a really fast way to add parts to assy.

Hope this helps if not a little late.

Cheers,
Boggs

 

[engAlright]

You can achieve the mating behaviour "SmartMates???" Boggs describes from within the assembly as well. Insert one instance of the PEM, pick your mating edge on the PEM then hold down ALT while dragging over the appropriate edge on the mating part.