A distance mate can be made dependent on another mate through an assembly equation in SOLIDWORKS 2006. The available evidence does not confirm that the same interface or capability exists in SOLIDWORKS 2003, so treat the 2006 workflow as a compatibility test rather than a guaranteed 2003 procedure.
Version Evidence and Compatibility Limit
| Version | Evidence | Engineering decision |
|---|---|---|
| SOLIDWORKS 2003 | The assembly user reports that Add Equation works for parts but not for assembly mates. | Do not assume mate equations are supported or accessed through the same interface. |
| SOLIDWORKS 2006 | A reported workflow exposes a distance mate dimension and inserts it into an equation. | Use this workflow to identify the required controls, then check whether 2003 provides them. |
Configure a Dependent Distance Mate
- Create the standard distance mates required by the assembly.
- In the feature tree, double-click the first mate and confirm that its dimension appears in the graphics area.
- Select the displayed dimension and use the available dimension-link or equation control to create the relationship.
- Alternatively, open the equation command from the Tools menu, double-click the first mate, and select its displayed dimension so it is inserted into the equation entry.
- Define that mate dimension in terms of the second mate dimension, then accept the equation.
These steps are reported for SOLIDWORKS 2006. Menu names, controls, and assembly-level support in SOLIDWORKS 2003 remain unconfirmed.
Diagnose the SOLIDWORKS 2003 Limitation
First determine whether double-clicking a distance mate exposes a selectable dimension in the graphics area. Next open the equation command and check whether selecting that displayed mate dimension inserts a reference into the equation entry. If either operation is unavailable, the evidence does not support a syntax correction; the limitation may instead be version-specific assembly behavior.
Verify the result by changing the driving distance mate and rebuilding the assembly. The dependent mate must update according to the equation without manual editing. If it does not, record whether the mate dimension was selectable, whether the equation accepted it, and whether the failure occurred during entry or rebuild; those observations separate an interface limitation from an invalid relationship.
FAQ
Can SOLIDWORKS 2003 use equations between assembly mates?
The available evidence does not confirm assembly-mate equation support in SOLIDWORKS 2003. A user reported that Add Equation worked for parts but not for mates, while the described working procedure applies to SOLIDWORKS 2006.
How do I link one SOLIDWORKS distance mate to another?
Double-click the distance mate, select its displayed dimension, and add a relationship through the dimension equation control or the Tools equation command. This workflow is supported by the evidence for SOLIDWORKS 2006.
How do I verify that an assembly mate equation works?
Change the driving mate distance and rebuild the assembly. Confirm that the dependent mate updates from the equation without manual adjustment.
