SolidWorks

• SolidWorks is a Computer-aided Design/Computer-aided Manufacture (CAD/CAM) package designed by Dessault Systemes, part of the French aerospace manufacturer. CAD/CAM systems come in two basic formats -- two dimensional and three dimensional. SolidWorks is a 3D design package. This means that the engineer creates an image of a part or product while building up its technical drawing. The part can be viewed either as a solid piece or in mesh or cut-away view. The manufacturing support features of the package include the automatic generation of materials requirements, adjusting details of the assembly according to the chosen materials and dimensions.
  
  

Assemblies

• An assembly is composed by fitting together parts. The parts are 3D models that have already been designed and stored in files -- one file for each part. The part files have the SLDPRT file extension. Parts can be adjusted while in assembly view, and thus both the assembly file and all altered part files are updated upon saving changes. As well as designed parts, the assembly will include items from a library of hardware such as nuts, bolts, lock nuts and washers.
  
  

Processing Assemblies

• An assembly can be developed iteratively. It may be that the parts contributing to the assembly have to be adjusted to size. SolidWorks makes these adjustments automatically and recalculates the weight of the assembly and other metrics, accordingly. The environment allows for the assembly to be simulated in action, which enables any design flaws to be identified. Again, adjustments to the parts of the assembly automatically update the parts files.
  
  

Assembly File Contents

• A SolidWorks SLDASM file contains the assembly together with a Bill of Materials that the system automatically generates from the design. The views of the assembly can be stored in a combination of plan view, exploded assembly, cutaway and 3D image from a series of angles. SolidWorks also offers the option of automatically labeling the parts in the exploded view of the assembly. This uses the same numbering system used in the Bill of Materials that is integrated into the assembly file.