5 tsElements for SolidWorks Tools That Transform Your WorkflowtsElements for SolidWorks is a collection of productivity tools designed to speed up common modeling tasks, automate repetitive workflows, and add functionality that complements SolidWorks’ native toolset. Whether you work in sheet metal, weldments, assemblies, or complex part modeling, the right tsElements tools can shave minutes — or hours — off routine jobs. This article walks through five standout tsElements tools, explains how they transform workflows, and gives practical tips and examples for using them effectively.
1 — Feature Library (Reusable Feature Catalog)
What it does
- The Feature Library lets you save frequently used features, feature sequences, and feature parameters so you can insert them into new parts or assemblies with one click.
How it transforms workflow
- Saves time by avoiding repeated feature creation.
- Ensures design consistency across multiple parts and among team members.
- Speeds onboarding for new designers who can reuse proven feature setups.
Practical tips
- Create templates for common details: fillets with specific radii, standardized hole/fastener patterns, and mounting bosses.
- Organize library entries by project or product family.
- Use parameterized features where possible so saved features adapt to new geometry.
Example
- Instead of recreating a complex boss with multiple cuts and fillets for every new bracket, save it once and insert it into each new part; then tweak the sketch dimension or mate references.
2 — Smart Hole & Fastener Manager
What it does
- Automates hole creation, selection of standard fasteners, and placement of hardware within assemblies. Often integrates with fastener libraries (ISO, ANSI, etc.) and can populate holes based on rules.
How it transforms workflow
- Reduces manual checking and ensures correct hole/fastener pairing (clearance vs. tapped).
- Speeds BOM and procurement by automatically attaching standard fastener properties to components.
- Helps avoid common errors such as incorrect thread class or inadequate clearance.
Practical tips
- Configure default standards for your company (metric vs. imperial).
- Use rule-based placement for recurring patterns (e.g., corner mounting holes for plates).
- Link to your company’s preferred supplier codes in fastener properties if supported.
Example
- When designing a sheet-metal enclosure, use Smart Hole to place all mounting and cable-entry holes matching the selected fasteners; generate a fastener-only BOM for procurement.
3 — Sheet Metal Utilities
What it does
- A set of dedicated tools for sheet metal tasks: automatic flange creation, optimized bend reliefs, quick flatten checks, and batch unfold/fold operations.
How it transforms workflow
- Eliminates tedious manual adjustments and repetitive bend calculations.
- Ensures manufactured-friendly geometry with proper reliefs and bend allowances.
- Facilitates collaboration with manufacturing by providing accurate flat patterns quickly.
Practical tips
- Set material/thickness-specific bend allowance tables in the tool to match your shop’s processes.
- Use the batch flatten feature to check multiple parts for collisions or interferences before sending to production.
- Keep common flange and hem profiles in your Feature Library for quick reuse.
Example
- Create a complex bracket with multiple flanges and tabs; use Sheet Metal Utilities to automatically generate appropriate reliefs and produce a correct flat pattern for laser cutting.
4 — Assembly Automation & Pattern Tools
What it does
- Tools to automate repetitive assembly tasks: patterning components around axes, patterning with variable spacing, smart mating helpers, and bulk component insertion from libraries.
How it transforms workflow
- Speeds up assembly creation where many repetitive components exist (fasteners, ribs, fins).
- Reduces manual mate creation and the risk of mate errors.
- Improves performance by offering lightweight insertion options or simplified representations.
Practical tips
- Use variable-pattern options to place components that change spacing or orientation along a path.
- Employ smart mates to lock orientation quickly (coincident + concentric combos).
- For large assemblies, insert simplified representations for non-critical components to keep file size and rebuild times down.
Example
- Model a heat sink by patterning fins with variable spacing to match airflow constraints, using the pattern tool to place dozens of fins in seconds instead of manually copying and mating each.
5 — Model Clean-Up & Validation Suite
What it does
- A group of utilities for model diagnostics and cleanup: identify and repair small faces, delete redundant sketches, unify normals, check for undercuts, and run manufacturing/DFM checks.
How it transforms workflow
- Prevents downstream manufacturing issues by catching problems early.
- Speeds up file handoff to CAM and additive processes by ensuring watertight, manufacturable geometry.
- Reduces time spent debugging imported geometry from other CAD systems.
Practical tips
- Run validation before releasing models to ERP/CAM to reduce iteration between design and manufacturing.
- Keep a checklist of common fixes you apply automatically (merge tiny faces, heal gaps) and document exceptions.
- Use batch processing for imported models to run the same cleanup rules across multiple files.
Example
- Import a supplier’s STEP file; run the clean-up tool to unify faces and remove tiny slivers so the part can be meshed accurately for simulation and CAM.
Implementation Workflow — How to Introduce tsElements into Your Team
- Pilot: Start with a small team or single product line to evaluate tools and build initial libraries.
- Standards: Configure company-wide standards (fastener types, bend tables, naming) within tsElements.
- Training: Run short sessions focused on the five tools above and create quick-reference guides.
- Review: After 4–6 weeks, collect feedback and extend the library and rules based on real use.
- Scale: Roll out to the wider organization and integrate with PDM/ERP where useful.
ROI & Productivity Gains
- Time savings vary, but targeted use of feature libraries, assembly automation, and smart hole managers commonly reduce repetitive task time by 30–70%.
- Fewer manufacturing iterations and fewer BOM errors shorten product development cycles and lower procurement friction.
- Consistent standards via shared libraries reduce rework and improve part quality.
Final Notes
Select the tools that fit your process first (sheet metal vs. large assemblies), build reusable libraries, and enforce standards. Small investments in configuration and training produce outsized productivity gains.
Leave a Reply