What Is the Practical Guide to Mechanical Mates in SOLIDWORKS?

 Mechanical Mates in SOLIDWORKS - A Practical Guide

Mechanical mates in SOLIDWORKS allow you to define how components move in relation to one another, beyond just locking them in place. These mates are essential for assemblies that involve rotating, sliding, or interacting parts, such as gears, cams, and linkages.

This blog gives you a simple overview of each mechanical mate in SOLIDWORKS and how it works.

Cam Mate:

The Cam Mate is used to simulate contact between a rotating cam and a linear follower. It maintains consistent contact as the cam drives motion, allowing you to make complex mechanical timing and movement.

How to use:

• Select a closed profile or edge loop on the cam.

• Select a point, vertex, or face on the follower component.

Figure 1: CAM Mate

Hinge Mate:

The Hinge Mate allows two components to rotate relative to each other around a common axis, just like a physical hinge with realistic rotational motion.

How to use:

• Select two cylindrical faces (e.g., shaft and hole).

• Select two planar or curved faces to define alignment.

Figure 2 : Hinge Mate

Gear Mate:

The Gear Mate links the rotation of two cylindrical components by applying a defined gear ratio, enabling you to accurately represent the motion of meshing gears. It simplifies the simulation of gear trains, timing belts, or pulley systems without needing detailed tooth geometry.

How to use:

• Select two cylindrical faces (typically gear hubs).

• Set the gear ratio (e.g., 2:1).

• Rotation is synced based on the defined ratio.

Figure 3: Gear Mate

Rack and Pinion Mate

The Rack and Pinion Mate converts rotational motion of a pinion into linear movement of a rack, facilitating the simulation of rotary-to-linear motion transfer mechanisms. This mate is commonly used in applications like steering systems, CNC machine tables, etc.,

How to use:

• Select a linear edge on the rack.

• Select a cylindrical face on the pinion.

• Define pitch diameter or travel distance per turn

Figure 4 : Rack and Pinion Mate 

Screw Mate

The Screw Mate simulates the threaded interaction between rotating and translating components, creating a direct relationship between rotational input and linear displacement, such as a screw driving a nut.

How to use:

• Align the parts using concentric/planar mates.

• Define thread pitch (e.g., 2 mm per turn).

• Rotation drives linear motion.

Figure 5: Screw Mate 

Universal Joint Mate

The Universal Joint model rotation transfer between two non-collinear shafts connected through an angled joint, allowing torque transmission despite shaft misalignment.

How to use:

• Select two cylindrical faces.

• SOLIDWORKS links their rotation.

Figure 6 : Universal Joint Mate

Conclusion:

Mechanical mates in SOLIDWORKS simulate real-world motion by defining how parts rotate, slide, or interact. Mastering them enhances design accuracy and simplifies motion analysis.

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