AnsweredAssumed Answered

Mates disappearing/flipping

Question asked by Dean Baragar on Feb 7, 2012
Latest reply on Jul 31, 2013 by Jeff Morriss

Like • Show 0 Likes0
Comment • 5

I had a hydraulic cylinder modeled as a ram and a base, then assembled with one concentric mate, one parallel mate, and several distance mates (each in their own configuration. I use this cylinder in models and set it as flexible and floating, or else rigid to set a specific position. This has worked quite well for me until recently.

Today, when I opened up my main model, the cylinder appeared to be functioning properly. However, after playing around for an hour or so, I noticed that the cylinder has flipped around (ports facing the opposite way that they used to). When I opened up the cylinder model I noticed that there are no mates (not just suppressed, but that there are no mates at all - the plus sign is not there). But, if I switch configurations, there is one where the I can find the mates. How is this possible?

Has anyone else had similar problems?

No one else has this question

Outcomes

Tom Cote Feb 9, 2012 11:09 AM

I have had that very same issue when I set to flex as well. For that reason and the very noticeable performance hit I try to avoid using “flex” in assemblies. My assembly models are VERY large so anything that has a negative impact on speed is avoided. Plus the time to keep fixing it after they flipped was time wasted and aggravating. I would guess it has been since SW 2009 or 2010 since I tried it; so I was hopeful that it had been fixed by now.

Actions

Luke Maurer Mar 6, 2012 12:52 PM

I have had multiple instances of the same problem with the assembly mate feature group not having the [+] icon next to the "paperclips" to open the mate tree, making it impossible to view or edit the mates for an assembly.

When a [+] for a part in the assy is clicked, even the mate folder is not showing.

I am not using "flex" in this instance.

This particular assembly is small (19 parts), but has several configurations that are affected.

For some configurations, the [+] icon appears and I am able to edit the mates for those other configurations.

For other configurations, the problem persists.

This problem has also affected larger assemblies (200+ parts).

I have had to re-mate entire assemblies to correct this and am not sure it won't happen again!

I am now uneasy about opening any other drawings or especially assemblies, so as not to infect this "bug" on them.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Actions

Luke Maurer Mar 6, 2012 1:10 PM

I just discovered that re-naming the configuration will result in the [+] icon reappearing with full functionality..

The mate folders also reappear in the parts.

I temporarily renamed the affected configuration and then immediately renamed it back to it's original configuration name.

Not sure if this will work for Dean, but it did for me.

Actions

Jeff Morriss Jul 31, 2013 5:53 PM

Hello,

I've recently run into a similar problem. We have a large assembly with 10+ sub-assemblies (with hunderds of parts total as various sub-levels), all mated together and fully constrained with no mating errors, and today I opened it up to add another sub-assembly, added the 3 related mates, saved, and closed...

A co-worker later opened up the assembly to view and we found the assembly mates had completely vanished, the mate "group" is still visable but it is empty, all sub-assemblies have remained constrained as well (can't drag and drop them),

no additional forced mates can be placed... but I can create duplicate mates (like creating a parallel mate that doesn't affect current position) that cause the related sub-assembly to become unconstrained (over-rides what solidworks has retained as it's correct position) and utilizes only the newly made mate for position and the sub-assembly can be moved via mouse drag and drop

I've tried right clicking sub-assemblies to "view mates" but just an empty box pops up

There is only the default configuration available in the assembly, no additionals have been created

I tried Luke's proposed fix but to no avail,

FYI assembly & sub-assemblies were created in 2012 solidworks, no conversions were present

any other information would be greatly appreciated

thanks in advance,

- Jeff

Actions

5 Replies

Kris Rowlands Feb 8, 2012 11:44 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Check this post.Re: Planes missing in an assembly - just gone!

https://forum.solidworks.com/message/267389#267389

Does this sound like your issue?
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
Tom Cote Feb 9, 2012 11:09 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
I have had that very same issue when I set to flex as well. For that reason and the very noticeable performance hit I try to avoid using “flex” in assemblies. My assembly models are VERY large so anything that has a negative impact on speed is avoided. Plus the time to keep fixing it after they flipped was time wasted and aggravating. I would guess it has been since SW 2009 or 2010 since I tried it; so I was hopeful that it had been fixed by now.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
Luke Maurer Mar 6, 2012 12:52 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
I have had multiple instances of the same problem with the assembly mate feature group not having the [+] icon next to the "paperclips" to open the mate tree, making it impossible to view or edit the mates for an assembly.
When a [+] for a part in the assy is clicked, even the mate folder is not showing.
I am not using "flex" in this instance.
This particular assembly is small (19 parts), but has several configurations that are affected.
For some configurations, the [+] icon appears and I am able to edit the mates for those other configurations.
For other configurations, the problem persists.
This problem has also affected larger assemblies (200+ parts).
I have had to re-mate entire assemblies to correct this and am not sure it won't happen again!
I am now uneasy about opening any other drawings or especially assemblies, so as not to infect this "bug" on them.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
Luke Maurer Mar 6, 2012 1:10 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
I just discovered that re-naming the configuration will result in the [+] icon reappearing with full functionality..
The mate folders also reappear in the parts.
I temporarily renamed the affected configuration and then immediately renamed it back to it's original configuration name.

Not sure if this will work for Dean, but it did for me.
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions
Jeff Morriss Jul 31, 2013 5:53 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Hello,

I've recently run into a similar problem. We have a large assembly with 10+ sub-assemblies (with hunderds of parts total as various sub-levels), all mated together and fully constrained with no mating errors, and today I opened it up to add another sub-assembly, added the 3 related mates, saved, and closed...

A co-worker later opened up the assembly to view and we found the assembly mates had completely vanished, the mate "group" is still visable but it is empty, all sub-assemblies have remained constrained as well (can't drag and drop them),

no additional forced mates can be placed... but I can create duplicate mates (like creating a parallel mate that doesn't affect current position) that cause the related sub-assembly to become unconstrained (over-rides what solidworks has retained as it's correct position) and utilizes only the newly made mate for position and the sub-assembly can be moved via mouse drag and drop

I've tried right clicking sub-assemblies to "view mates" but just an empty box pops up

There is only the default configuration available in the assembly, no additionals have been created

I tried Luke's proposed fix but to no avail,

FYI assembly & sub-assemblies were created in 2012 solidworks, no conversions were present

any other information would be greatly appreciated

thanks in advance,

- Jeff
Like • Show 0 Likes0
Actions

Mates disappearing/flipping

Outcomes

Related Content

Recommended Content