Problem

This article will show how to use the SOLIDWORKS Toolbox add-in to add Toolbox fasteners to an assembly. For more information on other Toolbox topics, review this article: Comprehensive Toolbox Guide

Solution

1. Open SOLIDWORKS
2. Go to Tools > Add-ins 
3. Enable both the SOLIDWORKS Toolbox Library and SOLIDWORKS Toolbox Utilities.

4. Navigate to the SOLIDWORKS Design Library on the far right of the graphics area and expand the Toolbox

   

5. Pick the standard, type of hardware, and browse for the specific style and version of the hardware desired to insert into the assembly

   

6. Add the Toolbox Fastener by dragging and dropping it into the assembly. Many of the components in the Toolbox, including Bearings, Bolts and Screws, and retaining rings, contain mate references to automatically add concentric and coincident mates with any circular edge. The size of the fastener will be driven by the size and type of the Hole Wizard Hole the Toolbox component is being applied to or the size of the geometry the component is dragged over for other components.

   

7. After the Toolbox Component has been dropped into the assembly, the Configure Component Property Manager will appear. From the Property Manager, use the drop-down menus to select any specifics desired for the hardware.       

   

8. Part Numbers and Descriptions can be added to the component by clicking "Add". This can be leveraged later on in documents such as the Bill of Materials and can be reviewed in the Toolbox Settings. The Part Number and Description will appear in the Part Number field of the Configure Component PropertyManager any time that type of fastener is used, allowing us to recall the configurations of the hardware for future application. We do not need to add a Part Number or description to use a Toolbox Component. The information dictating the size and other properties of the fastener will be saved based on the method specified in the User Settings. 
9. Once we have configured the Toolbox component, clicking on the green check box will exit the property manager and allow us to insert any additional instances of the configured component without the need to drag and drop from the Task Pane or re-enter sizing information.
10. Alternatively, right-clicking on the hardware in the browser and picking “Insert into Assembly” will also insert the Toolbox Component into an assembly. Adding a part this way will place the part “floating” at the origin, so we will need to mate the component in to place it and specify the size from the PropertyManager.

Note: We can get back into the configure Component Property manager by right clicking on the any part added using the Toolbox by right clicking on it and selecting Edit Toolbox Component. We can delete a Part Number and Description by activating it, then clicking Delete. Selecting Edit will allow changing the Part Number and Description for a Component configuration.
 

For additional support, existing customers can submit a ticket or new customers can contact Hawk Ridge Systems.