What is an Engineering design?

The engineering design process is a series of steps that engineers follow to find a solution to a problem. The processes which are followed to come up with a product are –

• Define the problem
• Brainstorm possible solutions
• Research ideas and explore possibilities
• Establish constraints and criteria
• Consider an alternative solution
• Select an approach
• Develop a design proposal
• Make a model or prototype
• Test and Evaluate the prototype
• Refine or make the correction in the design
• Create the solution

Out of these processes “make a model or prototype” is very important as this step lets the pre-production team know how the product is going to look after manufacturing. The designing part involves creating 2 d views of the final product. In creating the final part various sub-parts or assemblies are needed. These parts and assemblies are joined in the software according to how they’re going to attach to the main body.

Need of assembly 

While designing a large component assembly we need to define the position of the part in that design. The position is fixed or with a minimum DOF ( Degree of Freedom). While part assembling on software the designer should know how the component is going to assemble. In actual assembling, the same track is followed by the worker. When will the first part be going attaching to the main body?

However, by designing the assembly on the software we come to know the clearances between the components. Secondly, the overall visualization of the assembly, like how it is going to look after manufacturing and assembly. Thirdly, the sequence in which the parts are going to attach to the main body.

However, while designing the assembly on SolidWorks the parts often have some degree of freedom. These degrees of freedom are not suitable. To restrain this degree of freedom mates are used. Mates is a feature available in the designing software. In this article, we are going to see Advance mates in Solidworks. What is the function of that mate and how can we apply those to constrain the undesired motion.

Mates in Solidworks

To apply the Advance mates we need to open parts in the design assembly. They’re using the mate option we can connect the two or more parts using the mate’s option. In mates option, we have many options available like Standard, Advanced, Mechanical, and Analysis. In this article, we will look after Advance mates.

Types of mates option

• Standard Mates
• Advanced Mates
• Mechanical Mates

Under Advanced Mates

• Profile center
• Symmetric
• Width
• Path Mate
• Liner/ Liner Coupler
• distance and angle

 

Profile center

In the profile center, we have to select a profile that is not circular. Then select the profile of the other part. Now the part will combine at the center of the profile which we have selected. We can move the components by giving the value in the distance space. That option will offset or move the profile by a certain value. We can change the orientation as well with respect to the profile center.

 

Symmetric

With symmetric mates, we can give the relation of the distance of two parts with respect to the plane. In this we have to select the plane first then we have to select the faces of the parts. In this way, they both will have symmetry or equidistance with the plane. We can give a certain distance also in the below option.

Width

We use this feature when we have to fix the part in between the two bodies. One thing we should keep in mind is that the two parts should be fixed. To apply this feature option first we have to select the faces of the fixed part in Width selections. In Tab selection, we have to select the two faces of the body which we are placing in between the two parts.

We can give the center distance or offset percentage to the mate. This will move the body from the center by a certain value.

Path Mate

In path mate, the body follows the certain path which we define. We have to select the point or profile of the body which has to follow the path and the path line. This way the body is attached to the path sketch and follows it if we move it.

Liner/ Liner Coupler

We use this feature when we want to move the two parts in the opposite direction or the same direction. We have to select the edges to give the direction of movement the edges. After applying this feature option, if we move the one part the other part will move in the opposite direction with respect to the first part. we can also define the ratio of movement by giving the input value in Ratios. Also, we can reverse the motion by clicking on the reverse. That will move the two parts in the same direction.

distance and angle

In distance mate, we can give the maximum and minimum distance between the two faces or the bodies. After reaching the maximum distance the first part will move along the second part.

In Angle mate, we can give the maximum and minimum angle between the two faces or bodies.