SOLIDWORKS Toolbox

Owned by Abby Speckhals
Last updated: Oct 30, 2024
3 min read

How to setup SOLIDWORKS toolbox using the toolbox configured by Abby and saved in the PDM. This must be done if you are going to use hardware from the toolbox for NER assemblies so that the hardware is coming from a folder also saved in the PDM.

Setup:

  1. go to SOLIDWORKS options

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  1. hole wizard/toolbox

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  1. click the three dots to select a folder where the toolbox is located

  1. navigate to the NER PDM top level folder and then go to Hardware and select the folder named SOLIDWORKS Data

  1. Click OK

How to use hardware from the toolbox:

  1. open the Design Library panel on the right of your screen

  1. Click on toolbox and add in toolbox now. Wait for it to load then you should see the parts folders

  1. I have configured the toolbox so that it only shows the basic hardware stuff that we actually use. You can double click on the folders for ANSI Inch and ANSI Metric and there will be subfolders with nuts/bolts/washers of various types.

  2. Once you find the part that you want, drag it into your assembly.

if you drag a bolt into a hole wizard hole it will automatically make the bolt the correct size and mate it in place for you!! (same with washers and nuts)

  1. Double check that the bolt diameter defaulted to the correct size and select the correct length from the drop down on the left

  1. repeat for a nut on the other side for example

  1. Notice how solidworks has added those two parts to your feature tree with names corresponding to the specific diameter/length of hardware that you chose. Also, since the toolbox is saved in PDM, your assembly should have no problem being checked back into PDM and others who have setup the toolbox properly can see them too.

  1. yay all done :)