Tips on How to Unfix a Component in Solidworks

How to Unfix a Component in Solidworks
How to Unfix a Component in Solidworks

The first part added into the assembly by default is Fixed, which is represented by (f). That means the component can’t translate or rotate around any axis. When inserting components, you can also fix a part by clicking the green checkmark.

This will align the origin of the part with the origin of the top-level assembly. Assemblies should be totally constrained, much like fully defined sketches for parts. Only one component should be fixed at most. Usually, it is preferable that all components are completely constrained.

Tips on How to Unfix a Component in Solidworks

In this article, we’ll go through how to unfix a component and identify ones that aren’t completely constrained. Let’s have a look at the FeatureManager design tree first before moving on.

The Assembly FeatureManager Design Tree

The collection of instructions that tell SOLIDWORKS how to construct your Parts and Assemblies is called the FeatureManager Design Tree. The FeatureManager in Parts is history-based, order-dependent, and contains all the features that make up your component.

The part or assembly icon indicating whether a certain assembly component is a part or subassembly of the top-level assembly is the first item we notice when we look at the Assembly Components section.

Parts and assemblies feature manager design tree

After that, the icon for the part or assembly is followed by either (f), (-), or neither. The components’ mobility inside the top-level assembly is indicated by these letters.

Part or assembly followed by f

When we have applied Mates to eliminate ALL degrees of freedom, neither the (f) nor the (-) appear next to an assembly component.

The next item we notice is the Part or Subassembly File Name.

Part or assembly file name with number

A number (1>, 2>, etc.) is written after the file name. This figure represents the total number of distinct parts or subassemblies that make up this assembly.

The maximum instance number here might not necessarily correspond to the number of that part or subassembly in the top-level assembly, thus it’s crucial to keep in mind that this instance count remains even if parts and subassemblies are eliminated.

Part or assembly configuration name

The Configuration Name comes next, and then the Display State.

Unfixing a component

In this post, we will use a bottle assembly design. Any component with at least one degree of freedom has a negative sign (-) next to it (translate or rotate about at least ONE of the x, y, or z axes). This is also referred to as “Float”.

Right-clicking a component in the Design Tree and selecting “Float” will convert a Fixed component to a Float component, and vice versa will convert a Float component to a Fixed component.

Design tree float

Additionally, you may unfix components in SolidWorks using a VBA macro. To use this strategy, you must be familiar with the VBA programming language.

Identifying components that are not fully constrained

When a component is moved within a completely constrained assembly, the assembly as a whole is also moved. Any parts that have not been completely restrained may appear to be out of place. I’ll move the longer straw inside the bottle as an illustration.

Components not fully constrained

One of the bottle sealers (green) moved out of place as a result of the longer straw’s movement. Using a completely defined assembly is not always necessary. One is when rotation is unrestricted but has no effect on fit, shape, or function. Another is when movement is necessary.

Factors to consider before fixing a component

  1. Fixed Part or Component. You should take into account any components that are fixed or stationary in the design. It is recommended to fix the base part to the assembly graphics area’s origin.
  2. Fix Component by Default in Assembly. When you initially place a component in a SolidWorks assembly, it will automatically fix itself. Therefore, always place the base or stationary component first in your model.
  3. It Is Not Possible to Fix a Single Instance of a Component Pattern