How to Use Smart Fasteners in SOLIDWORKS

Smart Fasteners in SOLIDWORKS can automatically add Toolbox hardware to holes in an assembly. Instead of inserting each bolt, screw, washer, and nut one by one, you can let SOLIDWORKS detect hole features and place matching fasteners in groups.

This is most useful for assemblies with many standard holes. It is not a substitute for engineering judgment: you still need to choose the correct standard, fastener type, length, stack, material, and clearance for the real design.

What you need before using Smart Fasteners

Smart Fasteners depends on SOLIDWORKS Toolbox. If Toolbox is not active, SOLIDWORKS may ask you to add it before the command can place hardware. The holes should also be modeled cleanly, preferably with Hole Wizard or consistent cut features.

Basic steps

1. Open the assembly.
2. Make sure SOLIDWORKS Toolbox is available.
3. Go to the Assembly tab and choose Smart Fasteners.
4. Select the holes or components that should receive fasteners.
5. Click Add in the PropertyManager.
6. Review the fastener series, type, size, length, and stack.
7. Adjust top stack or bottom stack items such as washers and nuts.
8. Accept the feature and inspect the assembly.

Enable Toolbox if needed

If Toolbox is not loaded, open the Task Pane, go to the Design Library, and enable Toolbox when prompted. In company environments, Toolbox may be managed by an administrator or stored on a shared network path. Do not casually change shared Toolbox settings without checking with the team.

Add fasteners to holes

After Toolbox is available, return to Smart Fasteners. Select the holes or faces that should receive hardware and use Add. SOLIDWORKS groups holes with matching sizes so you can assign the correct fastener type to each group.

Change fastener type and stack

If the automatically selected fastener is not right, change the fastener type in the series components. You can choose different screws, bolts, washers, nuts, and related Toolbox components depending on your Toolbox standard and configuration.

Use bottom stack settings when you need washers or nuts on the opposite side of the joint. Review auto-length behavior carefully, especially on real assemblies with counterbores, spacers, plates, or nonstandard stackups.

Best practices

• Use Hole Wizard where possible so hole data is cleaner.
• Group holes by real fastener requirement, not only by diameter.
• Check grip length, washer placement, and nut clearance.
• Use company-standard Toolbox parts if you work in a team.
• Verify the bill of materials after adding hardware.
• Do not assume the automatic selection is correct for strength, corrosion, or manufacturing requirements.

Smart Fasteners and the bill of materials

After adding Smart Fasteners, open or create a bill of materials and confirm that the fasteners appear the way you expect. Toolbox parts can be configured in different ways, and company setups vary. Some teams want every screw, washer, and nut listed separately. Others use simplified hardware descriptions or purchased-part numbers.

If the BOM is wrong, fix the Toolbox configuration, part properties, or fastener choice before releasing the assembly. It is better to catch that during CAD review than after purchasing or assembly planning.

Performance tips for large assemblies

Adding hundreds of Toolbox components can make an assembly heavier. If the assembly is large, add hardware intentionally instead of filling every hole automatically. Suppress fasteners in simplified configurations, use display states for review, and keep hardware detail appropriate for the design stage.

If large assemblies are already slow, review workstation performance and assembly workflow. The SOLIDWORKS Resource Monitor guide explains why memory and graphics warnings can appear during heavy sessions.

When Smart Fasteners are not a good fit

Manual insertion may be better when the assembly uses custom hardware, unusual stackups, slotted holes, nonstandard clearances, or critical structural fasteners. Smart Fasteners are a productivity feature, not a replacement for engineering review.

If you are still building core assembly skills, the SOLIDWORKS assembly configurations and SOLIDWORKS Toolbox guides are useful related topics.

Bottom line

Smart Fasteners can save a lot of assembly time when your holes and Toolbox setup are clean. Enable Toolbox, select the holes, add the fasteners, then review type, length, stack, and BOM behavior. Use the automation for speed, but still check the hardware like an engineer.

References: SOLIDWORKS inserting Smart Fasteners Help, SOLIDWORKS Smart Fasteners PropertyManager Help, and SOLIDWORKS Toolbox overview Help.