Making a SOLIDWORKS assembly "flexible" typically refers to making a subassembly flexible within the context of a larger, parent assembly. This allows the components inside the subassembly to move relative to each other according to their mates, rather than the subassembly behaving as a single rigid unit.
Here’s how you can make a subassembly flexible in SOLIDWORKS:
The Simple Steps to Flexibility
To enable dynamic movement within a subassembly when it's placed inside a higher-level assembly, you need to change its properties. This is a straightforward process:
- Locate the Subassembly: Find the specific subassembly you want to make flexible in the FeatureManager design tree of your parent assembly.
- Access Component Properties: Click on the desired subassembly in the FeatureManager design tree to select it. Right-click on the selected subassembly and choose Component Properties from the context menu, or go to the "Components" menu and select "Component Properties".
- Set Solve as Flexible: In the "Component Properties" dialog box that appears, look for the Solve as option. Under Solve as, select Flexible, then click OK.
Once set to Flexible, the mates within that subassembly will be evaluated and solved relative to the parent assembly. This means parts inside the subassembly can move realistically based on their own internal mates and any external mates applied in the parent assembly.
Why Make a Subassembly Flexible?
Setting a subassembly to flexible is crucial for simulating the movement of mechanisms like linkages, hinges, or pistons directly within a larger assembly.
- Realistic Motion: See how components within the subassembly interact with each other and with other parts in the parent assembly during simulations or dragging.
- Accurate Design: Ensure correct clearances and range of motion for interconnected parts.
- Simplified Top-Level Assembly: You can build complex mechanisms as subassemblies and then integrate them flexibly into larger designs without having to recreate internal mates at the top level.
Without setting a subassembly to Flexible, it will behave as a rigid block, and its internal components will not move relative to each other within the parent assembly.
Key Considerations
- Performance: While powerful, using many flexible subassemblies can potentially impact rebuild performance in very large assemblies.
- Visual Cues: Flexible subassemblies are typically indicated with a specific icon overlay in the FeatureManager design tree.
By following these steps, you can effectively utilize the flexible property in SOLIDWORKS to create more dynamic and realistic assembly models.
