In this chapter, you will learn the following: Creating Configurations by using the Manual Method Creating Configurations by using the Design Table Suppressing and Unsuppressing Features Configurations

Creating Configurations by using the Manual Method In the Manual method, after creating the parent model in the Part modeling environment, you can create its configurations. You can create multiple configurations of a model and modify the model parameters for each configuration, as required. Consider a case of a plate as shown in figure, in which you need to create three different designs. In the first design, you need to create four counterbore holes at each corner and one countersink hole at the center of the plate. In the second design of the plate, you need to have only four counterbore holes at each corner. In the third design of the plate, you need to have only one countersink hole at the center of the plate.

To create multiple configurations of a model, click on the ConfigurationManager tab. The ConfigurationManager appears

Configuration Properties The Configuration name field of the Configuration Properties rollout in the PropertyManager is used to specify the name of the configuration. Bill of Materials Options the Bill of Materials Options rollout is used to select an option to display the name of the model in the Bill of Materials (BOM) when this configuration is used in the assembly. Advanced Options

Note: You can activate any existing configuration of a model by double-clicking on its name in the ConfigurationManager. Alternatively, right-click on the name of the configuration to be activated in the ConfigurationManager to display a shortcut menu and then click on the Show Configuration option. Once the required configuration is activated, you can make necessary modifications in the model for the active configuration.

Creating Configurations by using the Design Table The Design Table method is very easy and convenient way of creating configurations of a model. It provides you embedded Microsoft excel worksheet, where you can easily create or manage multiple configurations by specifying parameters. To create configurations by using the Design Table, click on the Insert > Tables > Design Table in the SOLIDWORKS menus. The Design Table PropertyManager appears.

The options of the PropertyManager are as follows: Source

Edit Control The Allow model edits to update the design table radio button is selected in the Edit Control rollout Options The New parameters check box is selected in the Options rollout, by default. As a result, on adding a new parameter in the model, a new column for the parameter is added automatically in the design table.

In the Dimensions window, select the dimensions of the model to be added in the design table by pressing and holding the CTRL key. After selecting the dimensions in the Dimensions window, click on the OK button. The design table appears as a Microsoft excel worksheet with the Default configuration of the model.

You can add multiple configurations of a model by entering their names in different rows of the table.

Note: After generating a design table with multiple configurations, you can further edit its parameters. To edit a design table, expand the Tables node in the ConfigurationManager and then right-click on the Design Table appeared. A shortcut menu appears. In this shortcut menu, click on the Edit Table option. The Add Rows and Columns window appears. Click on the OK button in this window. The design table as Microsoft excel worksheet appear in the graphics area. Now, you can make the necessary modifications in the parameters of the existing configurations and add new configurations as well. After editing the design table, click anywhere in the graphics area.

Suppressing and Unsuppressing Features In SOLIDWORKS, you can suppress or unsuppress the features of a model. A suppressed feature is removed from the model and does not appear in the graphics area. Note that a suppressed feature is not deleted from the model.

Tutorial 1 Create the model (Weld Neck Flange) as shown in figure. After creating the model, create its three different configurations by using the Design Table method. The details of the configurations to be created are given in the below table. All dimensions are in mm.

To create this tutorial, follow the steps given in the textbook.

Hands-0n Test Drive 1 Create the model shown in figure. After creating the model, create its two configurations: With Slot Cut and Without Slot Cut by using the Manual method. All dimensions are in mm. To create this tutorial, follow the steps given in the textbook.

Summary In this chapter, you have learned how to create configurations of a model by using the Manual and Design Table methods. You have also learned about suppressing and unsuppressing features of a model. Questions You can create configurations of a model by using two methods: ________ and ________. By default, the ________ configuration is created for a model. You can suppress a feature by using the ________ tool. You cannot suppress features of a model by using the Design Table. (True/False)