5-Step Guide to Using the Auto-Mate Addition Macro in SolidWorks

Amen Jlili

5 months ago

5-Step Guide to Using the Auto-Mate Addition Macro in SolidWorks and An illustration of a person working at a computer, with hands on a keyboard and mouse. The computer screen displays a 3D model of a mechanical part with a hole, viewed in a design software interface showing tools like "Pains," "Origine," "Extrusion," and "Add Step" on the left sidebar. An orange gear icon with a small robot face overlays the screen, symbolizing automation or AI assistance in the design process.

Auto-Mate Addition Macro is a SolidWorks VBA code script applied to automatically add mates to your assemblies. The macro is an efficient solution for engineers and designers to save time on repetitive manual work and prevent human error.

Unlike manually creating mates, which is time-consuming and laborious, this macro makes it easier. With the macro, you can use a defined mate in an instant with one operation. Leaning on the SolidWorks VBA API, the macro ensures consistency and accuracy in your designs and liberates you from manual repetitive tasks.

This article provides full instructions for installing, using, and customizing the Auto-Mate Addition Macro. With the addition of this tool to your process, you can significantly boost your productivity and work on more complex design problems. In order to use the macro, have the parts to be mated pre-selected, open the SolidWorks VBA editor (Alt + F11), copy and paste the code, and run the macro.

Understanding the Auto-Mate Addition Macro

Auto-Mate Addition Macro is a simple and effective tool to assist in making your assembly process using SolidWorks as smooth as possible. It makes it easy to add a specific mate relationship between selected entities, which saves you time and effort from performing repetitive manual labor.

This macro is useful in workflows where you’re constantly needing to create the same type of mate, for example, a coincident or concentric mate, between parts. By automating it, you’re avoiding the hassle of possible errors and inconsistencies in your designs.

Key Features and Benefits

This macro is not just about automation, though; it’s about streamlining your design process. Here are some of the ways it makes your life easier:

Boosts Productivity: Installs mates immediately with one click without accessing menus and dialog boxes.
Ensures Accuracy: Automatically applies an accurate, pre-defined mate type that preserves design integrity and consistency.
Easy for Challenging Assemblies: Ideal for complex assemblies with many components, where manually adding mates can be time-consuming and prone to errors.

Automatically Cleans Up: Macro gets rid of the chosen entities after being executed, so that you will not inadvertently change your model or contain unnecessary unwanted objects in your workspace.

System Requirements

To execute this macro, keep your environment as noted below:

SolidWorks Version: SolidWorks 2014 and later. The macro utilizes APIs compatible with this version.
Operating System: Windows 7 and later. The SolidWorks software application itself relies on a Windows platform.

Prerequisites

In order to execute the macro successfully, the following preconditions are necessary:

Active Document: A running and active SolidWorks document (assembly or part) must be open in the application window. Without an open document, the macro will not execute.
Proper Selection Order: The components that you want to mate need to be pre-selected inside the graphics window in the correct sequence prior to executing the macro. The specific sequence required depends on the mate that you are using. A concentric mate requires two round edges or faces to be selected.

How to Set Up and Use the Macro?

The following are the simple steps to get the macro functioning on your SolidWorks computer:

Open SolidWorks: Open the SolidWorks and the assembly or the part file you intend to work on.

Select Entities: In the graphics window, choose the two entities you intend to mate.

Access the VBA Editor: Use Alt + F11 on your keyboard to open the SolidWorks VBA editor.

Insert the Code: Open up your VBA editor, right-click your assembly file in the project tree, choose Insert, and then Module. Paste the provided macro code into the new module window.
Run the Macro: In order to run the macro, either hit F5 while within the VBA editor or choose Tools > Macro > Run and select your macro from the list.

Understanding the Results

After you’ve run the macro, you should notice the following results:

Mate Creation: You now have a new mate generated in the entities you selected and shown in the FeatureManager design tree under Mates.
Clean Workspace: The previously selected entities will be automatically cleared, and your graphics area will now be empty and ready for your next action.

VBA Macro Code

' Disclaimer:
' The code provided should be used at your own risk.  
' Blue Byte Systems Inc. assumes no responsibility for any issues or damages that may arise from using or modifying this code.  
' For more information, visit [Blue Byte Systems Inc.](https://bluebyte.biz).

Option Explicit

' Declare variables for SolidWorks application and document
Dim swApp As Object               ' SolidWorks application object
Dim Part As Object                ' Active document object
Dim Gtol As Object                ' Placeholder for potential future use (e.g., geometric tolerances)

' Main subroutine
Sub main()
    ' Initialize SolidWorks application
    Set swApp = CreateObject("SldWorks.Application")
    
    ' Get the active document from SolidWorks
    Set Part = swApp.ActiveDoc

    ' Ensure an active document exists
    If Part Is Nothing Then
        MsgBox "No active document found. Please open a part or assembly."
        Exit Sub
    End If

    ' Add a mate with specified parameters
    ' Parameters: 
    ' - Type: 1 (Concentric)
    ' - Alignment: 2 (Aligned)
    ' - Distance/Angle: 0 (No offset)
    ' - Minimum distance: 0.01 meters
    ' - Angle: 0.5235987755983 radians (~30 degrees)
    Part.AddMate 1, 2, 0, 0.01, 0.5235987755983 ' Example parameters for a concentric mate
    
    ' Clear any active selections to tidy up
    Part.ClearSelection

    ' Notify the user about the operation
    MsgBox "Mate added successfully."
End Sub

You can also download the macro file directly from here.

Customization and Advanced Usage

This macro is a great starting point, but the strength of it lies in how you can modify it. For example, based on your personalized requirement, you might need to change the mate type, adjust the parameters, run batch operations, etc. And the good news? We, at Blue Byte Systems Inc., specialize in creating customized macros to meet specific requirements.

We can provide you with custom macro development tailored to meet your needs and help integrate it with other processes, too. So, should you require any special needs or wish to integrate this macro into a more sophisticated automation process, why the wait? Get in touch with us today!