Chapter 33: Employing Master Model Techniques

IN THIS CHAPTER

Applying Pull functions

Applying Push functions

In this book, the term master model refers to a technique where an entire assembly is laid out or has its major faces constructed in a single part, and that part is then placed into other files from which the individual parts are created. Master model techniques are generally used in situations that in-context design cannot deal with or where in-context design is cumbersome.

Master model techniques are comprised of four separate features or functions that have some similarities, and they rely heavily on the knowledge of parent/child concepts and multiple bodies. These four features are Split, Save Bodies, Insert Part, and Insert Into New Part. SolidWorks 2013 introduces the Intersect feature, which is similar to Split, without the ability to push bodies into or pull bodies from other parts.

As an example of a master model technique, consider the mouse model shown in Figure 33.1. The overall shape is modeled as a single part and then split into several bodies using multibody methods. Then, using the four master model features, the individual bodies are used to create individual part files, where detail features are added.

Understanding the concepts of parent and child documents is key to understanding how master model techniques work. A parent document is always the driving document—the one that existed first—so changes to the parent propagate down to the child. The child ...

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