How do you troubleshoot common issues or errors when creating exploded views in Solidworks?

1 Check your assembly structure

One of the first things you should do when creating an exploded view is to check your assembly structure and make sure it is logical and consistent. For example, you should group related components into subassemblies, use mates to define the relationships between parts, and avoid unnecessary or redundant constraints. This will help you control the movement and alignment of the parts when you explode them and prevent unwanted collisions or gaps. You can use the FeatureManager design tree to review your assembly structure and edit it if needed.

2 Use the Explode PropertyManager

The Explode PropertyManager is the primary tool for creating and editing exploded views in Solidworks. It allows you to select components to explode, specify the direction and distance of the explosion, and adjust the order and steps of the process. To access it, right-click on the Exploded View feature in the Configuration Manager and select Edit Feature. Common issues or errors can be resolved by using the Explode PropertyManager to add or remove components from the exploded view, change the direction or distance of the explosion, reorder or delete explosion steps, or align or space components evenly with the Smart Explode Lines tool or Align or Space Evenly options in the right-click menu.

4 Use annotations and balloons

You can enhance your exploded view by using annotations and balloons to provide additional information and instructions. Annotations are text labels and balloons are symbols that identify components and link them to a bill of materials or parts list. You can use annotations and balloons to show names, numbers, quantities, or descriptions of components. To create and edit annotations and balloons, you can use the Annotation toolbar or the Insert menu. Additionally, you can use annotations and balloons to add or remove them from the exploded view, change their position or alignment, or alter their style, format, or content. To do this, you can use the PropertyManager, the Format toolbar, the Align Annotations tool, or the Flip option in the right-click menu.

5 Use exploded view drawings

The final step to complete your exploded view is to create an exploded view drawing - a 2D representation of your exploded view that you can print, export, or share with others. This drawing can include dimensions, notes, tables, views, or other elements to document your design. You can create the drawing by using the Drawing toolbar or the File menu. To troubleshoot common issues or errors, you can use exploded view drawings to add or remove elements using the Drawing View Properties dialog box or the Delete option in the right-click menu. Additionally, you can change the scale, orientation, projection, layer, line style, or line weight of the drawing with options in the right-click menu and the Layer Properties dialog box or Line Format toolbar.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?