CAD Forum

As i dont recall seeing a similar topic anywhere, thought i will start this discussion here as I was curious how others are managing their assembly tree...

Do you insert component according to assembly step?
Do you use folder?
How do you handle patterned component (especially for SOLIDWORKS where patterned component is below the tree)?
Other tricks?


Personally, when working on a really large assembly I like to rearrange the tree so that the component is inserted according to the actual assembly step while keeping the fasteners, cables, bulkparts in other folders & subfolders as I feel that this allow me to make step by step exploded view more easily...

Example:
Main assembly
→ 123456.sldprt
→ 123457.sldasm
→ 123458.sldasm
→ [Folder] Fastener
→→ [Subfolder] Fastener for 123457
→→ [Subfolder] Fastener for 123458
→ [Folder] Cables
→ [Folder] Bulk parts

I might roughly follow assembly steps, if I know them. Sometimes the factory may assemble differently than I expect though.

The base grounded/fixed component I almost always make the first in the tree. I do use folders for groupings of parts and hardware. I used to put hardware by itself like you show but now keep it with the component to more easily find and group it. I think it just may depend on the type of assembly. For example, an electrical controller, it's easier to keep mounting fasteners with the component since there are so many on the back panel. So hiding and suppressing them are easier if they are a group together.

Patterned parts I don't do anything special with, other than to name the patterns what they are. Sometimes I wish I could visually show them in the folder group with the seed components.