SOLIDWORKS: Configurations

(Part and Assembly)

SOLIDWORKS Configurations are a great way to represent multiple variations of a part/assembly within a single file.
Using configurations also helps with managing your files.

We can use Configurations in both Part as well as Assembly of SOLIDWORKS.

- Firstly, we will see the configuration in the Parts
- Then we will see configuration in the Assembly.

 Parts:

For example, consider a sockets. It has different sizes for the diameter, head, and depth. It is common that a
standard sockets has hundreds of different variations. Now imagine if you need to have a separate file for each one
of these variations. Managing all these files would be a nightmare. But thanks to configurations in SOLIDWORKS you
can make all those variations in one single file and modify/change multiple variations with a few clicks.

We will make these sockets by using 3 methods of SOLIDWORKS configurations:

 Manually
 using a Configuration Table
 using a Design Table.
 Preparing the model for Configuration –
Since configuring a model often involves changing the values of dimensions and suppressing features, it is good
practice to change dimension and feature names to simplify the configuration creation process. For the socket
model, we changed the name of several dimensions to more clearly represent what the specific dimension’s
control. This way, when we change a dimension between configurations, we can make sure we know what the
dimension is controlling. Dimensions can be renamed by selecting the dimension and changing the name in the
Property Manager, or by double-clicking on a dimension and changing the name from the Modify dialog.
We also changed the name of several features, to make it easy to choose which ones will remain unsuppressed
down the line. Features can be renamed by slow double-clicking on the feature name in the Design Tree.

1. Manual Method –
Every SOLIDWORKS part or assembly model starts off with a default configuration, and there are multiple methods
for creating additional configurations. The first is to manually specify new configurations from the Configuration
Manager tab of the Feature Manager. Right clicking on the top-level part or assembly in the Configuration Manager
(or right clicking neutral space) and choosing “Add Configuration…” will start the Configuration Properties
command.
From here, we can specify the name and description of the new configuration, as well as set any necessary options.
In this case, we are choosing to use the name of the configuration rather than the file name when this part is used
in a Bill of Materials. We also chose to suppress new features in other configurations when they are added to this
configuration. Any new configurations created using this method will retain the settings of the last used
configuration.
As we change a dimension in the new configuration, we can specify whether we intend that change to remain
contained within this configuration, specific configurations, or all configurations.
We can switch between the new configuration and the old one by double-clicking on them in the Configuration
Manager.
The highlighted, in colour configuration is known as the “active” configuration. Configurations that are inactive but
have a check mark have been rebuilt, but are simply not being viewed.

We will create another configuration by selecting the ’11 Long’ configuration and then clicking Edit, Copy and Edit,
Paste.

The newly pasted configuration appears in the Configuration Manager, and can be renamed with a slow double-
click
For this new configuration, we will suppress a feature by right clicking it in the Design Tree, and choosing
“Suppress”. This feature is now suppressed for this configuration only.

2. Using Configuration Table –

Another method we can use to create configurations is the SOLIDWORKS Configuration Table. We access the
Configuration Table by right clicking on a dimension or feature and choosing “Configure Dimension” or “Configure
Feature”.

The resulting window that launches allows us to quickly create additional configurations and specify values for this
dimension for the new configurations.
Once the table has been filled in, it can be saved by entering a name in the <Enter Name> field, and choosing “Save
Table View”

The table is now saved and appears in the Configuration Manager.

We can access the table by double-clicking on it, and we can add additional columns by double-clicking on the
associated dimensions or features.
3. Using Design Table –
The last method we will look at for creating configurations is the Design Table. Design Tables are very similar to
Configuration Tables, but use Microsoft Excel instead of the built-in SOLIDWORKS table editor. This gives us the full
power of Excel, and allows us to use functions, formulas, and more as we configure parts and assemblies. (You must
have Excel 2010 or later installed on your machine to use Design Tables in SOLIDWORKS)
To create a Design Table, click Insert, Tables, Design Tables… (notice the icon has a superimposed Excel logo). This
will launch the Design Table Property Manager.
Here, we can specify if we would like SOLIDWORKS to create and format the table for us, or if we would like to use a
blank or linked Excel file. We can also choose whether or not we want bi-directional associativity between the
Design Table and the SOLIDWORKS file.
If we choose ‘Auto-Create’ and click OK, Excel will launch inside of SOIDWORKS.

We can create new configurations by typing in the cells below the existing configurations. We can also edit
dimension values or suppression states quickly by simply changing the values contained in the cells. Upon returning
to SOLIDWORKS, we receive a message for any new configurations that have been created by the Design Table.
 Assembly:
By using Configurations, you can make simplified versions of the design by suppressing components. You can create
the Families of assemblies with different configurations of the components, different parameters for assembly
features, different dimensions, or configuration-specific custom properties.

What can be configured in Assemblies?

- Dimension Changes of Features and Mates.
- Suppression of Components, Assembly Features and Assembly Mates.
- Choosing which Configuration to use in a Components.
- Custom Property Changes.

How to create assembly level configurations?

Assembly level configurations are made exactly as you would make them on the part level. You have a Manual
Method and a Configurator Table method. Let’s briefly recap how that is done in the Manual Method.

We will make changes in assembly by using 2 methods of SOLIDWORKS configurations:

 Manually
 Using a Configuration Table
 Preparing the Assembly for Configuration –
For this assembly we have 8 parts. Three of the eight parts have configurations. To make this example simplified I
created two configurations; Small and Large. On each of the three parts, I created two configurations; Size 1 and
Size 2. These two sizes correspond with the Small and Large configurations of the assembly.

Assembly configurations take part level configurations to the next level.

Not only can an assembly configuration do everything a part configuration can do, we also have the capability to;
alter the configuration of a part used in an assembly, alter configurations by suppressing mates (or components all
together) that define that assembly, change configuration specific custom properties, and modify any dimensions
wherever they were made (mates, features, sketches).

In the two images below, you will notice a couple things present. The first, you will notice the assembly’s active
configuration listed next to the assembly name in the Feature Manager Tree. The second, you will notice the
components configuration listed next to the components name in the Feature Manager tree.
 You can toggle the visibility of configuration s and display states used on and off by:
- Right clicking on the assembly name in the feature manager tree
- In the right click menu, click on tree display
- In the tree display menu, you can toggle several options on and off including display state and configuration.
 Quick example of using mate suppression in assembly configuration –

Above is the Small configuration with a coincident mate unsuppressed and a limit mate suppressed. This leaves the
upper portion of our assembly unable to extend.

Above is the Large configuration with a coincident mate suppressed and a limit mate unsuppressed. This leaves the
upper portion of our assembly able to extend up to the limit that has been set.
How do I apply a part level configuration in the context of an assembly?

You can change a parts configuration per assembly configuration in a couple diverse ways. The configurations can
be managed following the manual method or the configurator table method.

4. Manual Method –
You can either left or right click on the name of the component/part in the Feature Manager Tree, or on the
component/part in the viewport (aka on the model). Above the toolbar that appears (with a left and or right click),
you will see a pull-down menu with a list of configuration options. Choose the configuration you want to change to,
and then click the green check to accept that change.

Below is an example of a left click on the component/part in the viewport (aka on the model).

You can see above the left click toolbar (where I have highlighted), there is a pull down menu where you can choose
that components configuration being used. You can also see the option to apply this change either; to all
configurations, to this configuration, or to specific configurations.

Once you have chosen your configuration and decided how to apply that change, you will have to click the green
check mark button (as shown below), in order to officially process that change.
5. Manual Method –
Create your table by right clicking a component you want to configure, just like you would in a part. Then, double
left click either on the name of the part in the Feature Manager Tree, or on the part model in the assembly’s
viewport to add parts you would like to configure into your table.

You will notice in the table (image below) you have a new column you are not use to seeing, that column is the
Configuration column. In this column you can change a components configuration being used for that assembly
configuration.
DON’T FORGET TO SAVE YOUR TABLE!

Remember if you want to reuse this table, you have to name it and then hit that save button located to the left of
the name dialog box. Also, remember that when you save that table it is then stored in a Tables folder located in
the Configuration Manager Tab (as seen below).

When designing in SolidWorks, there is always something you can do to help increase your
efficiency. One such tool is the use of Configuration. If you create multiple parts that contains
variations, Configuration can save your time. Not only can it help save time, but if set up properly it
helps reduce the chance of missing or incorrectly updating a component or feature.