SOLIDWORKS: Insert Part Feature for Multibody Part Modeling

The Insert Part feature is a hidden gem that allows referencing another part file, inside a SOLIDWORKS part! This is useful for simple multibody modeling when you need to reference only a part or two, and don't need the full capability and complexity of in-context assembly editing. In this video Insert Part will be used to combine two bodies that will constitute and a handle injection molded (overmolded) over a threaded insert.
Insert Part also has some unique capabilities, such as importing sketches and reference geometry, or dissolving the inserted part into it's original features.
Presented by Ryan Navarro
Additional resources:
Move/Copy Body Feature:
• SOLIDWORKS: Reorientin...
In-context Assembly Editing:
• SOLIDWORKS: In-context...
0:00 Introduction
0:38 Insert Part Feature
3:40 Subtracting Geometry using Combine Feature
4:42 Copying Body using Move/Copy Body feature
6:20 Dissolving Inserted Part (Breaking Link)
For more information on SOLIDWORKS: hawkridgesys.com/solidworks
Technical Support Knowledgebase: support.hawkridgesys.com/

[@rickfearn3663]

Exceptional clarity. Thank you.

[@wilhelmtaylor9863]

I use insert part often but never to this level. Thanks for the clarifications.

[@joshturnerislegend]

That was super helpful. thanks.

[@sasha7442]

Thanks!

[@monsterjesse]

intriguing

[@mohsentaraki6969]

thank you

[@kandasamyrajan]

Thanks

[@dvaVivy]

Hello! I was planning to merge in some different parts from some other parts I've downloaded. But every time I insert it it's not the right size that I wanted it to be. Is there any option like to scale it? Newb here.

[@allaboutmould2252]

Sir is there any option like keep tool in solidworks which is available in Unigrahics

[@hawkridgesystems]

The Combine feature used in this video is the most basic and doesn't have such an option. The procedure at 4:42 shows how to copy the solid body ahead of time to preserve the tool body when using Combine. There is a feature called Indent that can do a similar operation but keep the tool body. This video covers it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGGlhGiEqL-gba8 There is also the Intersect feature which can do the same type of cut and will keep bodies so long as they aren't excluded.

[@maverickpeters5660]

When I edit the part that I have inserted in context, the link breaks. I don't get an option to rebuild. Any ideas?

[@hawkridgesystems]

That's pretty strange. Which version of the software are you using (year and service pack) ?

[@dablakh0l193]

If you do this, then how would you show it in a BOM of the part?

[@hawkridgesystems]

If it's necessary to separate them on BOM then the best workflow would be to keep both part files separate. For this approach you could basically stop at 4:42 in the video and save the plastic part (with insert subtracted) at this state as its own file. Then insert both the plastic part and the insert in a new assembly. One benefit of using this type of modeling is that both components should automatically position correctly in the assembly. The method shown from 4:42 onward should be used when it is desirable to not have separate BOM items / part numbers. For instance, if the combined plastic body + insert were to represent a single purchased part. Otherwise, the Weldments functionality does allow for "Indented" behavior in a BOM. So if you do ever have a multibody part that needs to be represented on a BOM, it could be converted to Weldment.