SolidWorks: Move Body Command
The Move/Copy Body tool in SolidWorks is useful when a part is needed to be shown in multiple configurations, such as a clamp or a door. The Move/Copy Body tool takes a body, copies it, and moves it to the desired location. This will keep the required relations and the part will still be fully defined. The old body will need to be hidden or suppressed, and the part will now appear in the new configuration.
The Move/Copy Body tool can be found under the Mesh Modeling tab, as shown below in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Move/Copy Body Location
Once selected, the menu has three sections: Bodies to Move/Copy, Translate, and Rotate. This menu is shown below in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Move/Copy Body Menu
The Move/Copy Body section is where the desired body to be copied or moved is selected. Once selected, the name of the body will appear in the blue box, as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Selected Body
Additionally, the selected body will turn green and an orange triad will appear in the center. If the Copy box is checked, a new instance of the body will be created. If unchecked, the Body will move, but no copy will be made. The number of copies to be made is also in this section. If the number of copies to be created is greater than 1, the bodies will be spaced evenly based on how the translate and to rotate sections are configured.
The translate section is where the amount by which the body will be moved. The triad, as shown below in Figure 4, can be clicked, and moved to determine where the new instance will be located. Additionally, the parameters can be set to the exact distance, as shown below in Figure 5.
Figure 4: Part with Triad
Figure 5: Translate Menu
In the box highlighted blue above in Figure 5, a reference for translation can be selected. This can be a linear entity, coordinate system, or vertex. This means the body will be translated up to that reference.
The next option is Rotate. The Rotate option will rotate the body about the X, Y, or Z-axis, or any combination of the three. The triad can be used to select the amount of rotation, or the parameters or reference can be chosen, just like the translation. The menu is shown below in Figure 6.
Figure 6: Rotation Menu
In addition to the amount of rotation, the center of rotation can be selected. It can be selected with the triad, or by entering the parameters. The default is the center of mass of the part.
Note that when moving or copying a body, only translate or rotate may be selected. It cannot be both. Once the desired position is found, click the green checkmark to accept the operation. SolidWorks will create a body at the interval set for as many instances as designated. For example, if the instance is 2 and the interval is 10mm in the X direction, 2 copies would be created at 10mm intervals.
Move/Copy Body can be useful when multiple configurations of the same part are needed to be shown. Once the Move/Copy is completed, the original body can be suppressed, and the new configuration is saved. This can be used for something like a clamp or a cupboard, where one instance needs to be opened and the other needs to be closed. The Move/Copy Body tool can be very helpful when creating multiple configurations of parts.
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