SolidWorks® 2009 Bible

Chapter 17. Using Hole Wizard and Toolbox

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Using the Hole Wizard

• Understanding Toolbox

• Tutorial: Gaining experience with the Hole Wizard and Toolbox

The Hole Wizard and Toolbox are two applications that go together because they both work from a single database of matching hole and fastener sizes. One of the most useful examples of combining these two applications is the ability to automatically place holes through multiple parts and put appropriately sized screws and hardware into the holes, all in one step. The hole knows which fastener or stack of fasteners needs to go together.

Many automatic aspects of Toolbox exist, and I find the concept behind the combination of Toolbox and the Hole Wizard compelling. As usual, there is often a disconnect between concept and implementation, and this situation is no different. Practical details conspire to keep Toolbox from being used quite often in SolidWorks using companies. This chapter aims to give you the information you need to decide how or if to implement and use Toolbox in your work.

Using the Hole Wizard

1. Pre-select the face to put the holes on, although this is not required. This turns out to be an important issue that is related to the type of placement sketch, and I revisit this subject later.

2. Select the type of hole; for example, counterbored, countersunk, drilled hole, tapped hole, pipe tap, or legacy.

3. Set the standard to ...