How to use Interference Detection in Solidworks
Problem:
-We have an assembly that it included a lot of parts and sub-assemblies. We want to find interference between parts/sub-assembly and another parts/sub-assembly.
Solve:
- Using Interference Detection command in SOLIDWORKS Assembly environment.
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Step 1: Run Interference Detection Command
*Way 1: Choose Evaluate tab > Interference Detection
*Way 2: In Search Commands box, typing "inter" > press Enter and choose Interference Detection line.
*Way 3: Click Tools menu > Evaluate > Interference Detection
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Step 2: Choose assembly
The activated assembly will be automatically chosen as following, you can delete and choose sub-assembly or parts that you need to check interference.
Then, click "Calculate" button.
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Step 3: Results
The result will be showed on Results as following:
The 19634.95mm^3 is interference volume in red area.
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Step 4: Options
We have 8 options in Interference Detection command as following.
These options affected to interfering components.
Now, we go to the first option, it's Treat coincidence as interference. Let see it in next step.
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Step 5: Treat coincidence as interference (option 1)
It reports coincident entities as interferences.
Let tick "Treat coincidence as interference" item and click "Calculate" again.
As we know, head screw and counter-bored hole will be usually mated by Coincidence mate, or any parts mated by Coincidence mate, if you enable option 1, in the Results will list them in box.
and
So, we have two Coincident Interferences in this case.
Untick "Treat coincidence as interference" option to remove them in the result list.
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Step 6: Show ignored interference (option 2)
In case, you would like to hide one or a lot of interferences in the result list.
You choose interfering pair then click Ignore button.
That pair will be hidden.
A question is "How to show hidden interferences?".
Easily, you tick "Show ignored interferences" option. Let see the result:
To move interfering pair from "Ignore" status, you choose ignored interfering pair and click "Un-Ignore".
Now, we have fully result list like the first time.
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Step 7: Treat sub-assemblies as components (option 3)
It's interferences between a subassembly's components are not reported.
Let's start...
Example, we have a sub-assembly (include base.sldprt and pin.sldprt), sub_asm.sldasm.
Note: I purposely didn't make a hole on base.sldprt.
and pink top.sldprt as below:
I installed them into a new assembly, Assem.sldasm:
Now, we run "Interference Detection" command without using "Treat sub-assemblies as components" option.
The result showed interference of pink base.sldprt and pin.sldprt in sub_asm.sldasm
Next, I run that command using option 3. Let see result:
Conclusion, if you untick option 3, the software will detect interferences in sub-assemblies if they have any interferences.
If you tick option 3, the software will ignore all interferences in sub-assemblies. This mean, the software considers every sub-assembly as a component.
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Step 8: Include multibody part interferences (option 4)
It reports interference between bodies within multibody parts.
Example, we have a multi-bodies part (a shaft) as following, it has two bodies.
A pink ring part was installed to shaft above, we will check interference in this assembly.
Before we use "Include multibody part interferences" option, one interference was detected between pink ring part and shaft.
This mean, the software ignored interference in multi-bodies part (shaft).
After we use "Include multibody part interferences" option, there are two interferences appear. It included interference between multi-bodies in shaft part.
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Step 9: Make interfering parts transparent (option 5)
Display the components of the selected interference in transparent mode.
This option affects to the interfering pair.
Before we tick this option,
After we tick this option, the interfering pair will be showed in transparent mode.
Note: this option is always enabled (default) when you run Interference Detection command.
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Step 10: Create fasteners folder (option 6)
Segregates interferences between fasteners (such as a nut and bolt) into a separate folder named Fasteners.
An assembly used components in Toolbox as below, the screws can be added by Smart Fasteners command or Insert part.
The interferences were showed in Result.
When you enable "Create fasteners folder", the interferences between bolts/screws/nuts and parts will be moved to a folder, its name is "Fasteners".
Note: we don't need "Calculate" again for this option.
One more thing, this option can detect screws/bolts/nuts with the IsFastener property value is 1 in Custom Property.
So, if you create bolts/screws/nuts without using Toolbox hardware, remember set IsFastener value = 1 in Custom Property.
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You can see how to design a part as a Fastener in here.
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Step 11: Create matching cosmetic threads folder (option 7)
Segregates interferences between components with properly matched cosmetic threads into a separate folder named Matching cosmetic threads.
We have top and bottom block.
We will use two screws (M10x1.5) as below for this section.
Top block (green part) has a M10 straight hole.
Bottom block (gray part) has a M10x1.5 hole.
Note: using Cosmetic type for screws thread.
Example 1:
- M10x1.5 hole in Bottom part, full thread.
- M10x1.5 screws, full thread.
Interferences due to properly matched cosmetic threads are filtered out of the main results and listed in the Matching cosmetic threads folder.
Example 2:
- M10x1.0 hole at Bottom, full thread.
- M10x1.5 screws, full thread.
Interferences due to properly not matched cosmetic threads are listed in the main results and not listed in the Matching cosmetic threads folder.
Example 3:
- M10x1.5 hole at Bottom, full thread
- M10x1.5 screws, L32mm thread
Interferences due to properly not matched cosmetic threads are listed in the main results and not listed in the Matching cosmetic threads folder.
Example 4:
- M10x1.5 hole at Bottom, L10mm thread.
- M10x1.5 screws, full thread.
Interferences due to properly not matched cosmetic threads are listed in the main results and not listed in the Matching cosmetic threads folder.
Example 5:
- M10x1.5 hole at Bottom, full thread.
- M10x1.5 screws, custom screws, full thread.
The software can detect interference for custom screws if screw thread is created by Cosmetic annotation.
Interferences due to properly matched cosmetic threads are filtered out of the main results and listed in the Matching cosmetic threads folder.
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Step 12: Ignore hidden bodies/components (option 8)
Interferences involving components that are hidden, including those hidden by the Isolate command.
Interferences between a multibody part's hidden bodies and other components.
In case, the Bottom part was hidden by Isolate command (or Hide command).
Before we use "Ignore hidden bodies/components" option. There is an interference between Bottom part and screw.
After we use "Ignore hidden bodies/components" option, the interference of hidden parts will be NOT listed in Result.
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Step 13: Additional
In Non-interfering Components, we can set up view mode for non-interfering components.
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That's all. Good luck!
