Top Down Assembly

By William Li

Main concept
Top Down Assembly simply means that you start to model from the
completed design and then spawn components as they are required.

Assembly
Subassembly

Part

Part

Subassembly
Part

Create component parts at the assembly level

Part

Basic method
Start by constructing the main part/parent part which will be used
as a reference to make the rest.
Assembly
Structure_1

Parent part
(Sketch, Surface,
Solid)

Child part
(Driven from
Parent part)

Basic method
A method of driving multiple part design using a single parent
part
Assembly
Structure_2

Parent part
(Sketch, Surface,
Solid)

Child part
(Driven from
Parent part)

Basic method
Sometimes multiple parent parts are referenced by other child parts
When finished, all the components will appear as if they had been
created individually.

For this example, the

Structure control and
Electron plate use to
be referenced and
control other child
parts together

How can ZW3D help?

To begin
Begin a Top Down Assembly by
going to New > .Multi-Object
New >Part/Assembly

To start a new design go to

Insert >Create a new component

Insert > Create a new component

Create a new component
in an existing .z3 file

Create a new component

in a new .z3 file

Layout - Main part/Parent part

Create the key sketch, surface and solid of the parent part which
will be used to control the global shape and dimensions of the final
product
The parent part works as a virtual component which should be
hidden after finishing the design (Blank or Assign to Layer)

Other Child Parts

To create the other parts, always start by Insert >Create a new
component
To edit or activate the component in assembly by Double click the
component in Operated window or Right click > Edit Part from
Assembly manger
Create

Activate

Other Child Parts

Follow the same process to create other components
Base the geometry of the design on the parent part before continuing with
the detailed design of the child part
Reference Geometry

Note: Want to know more about Reference Geometry function please click
on: http://www.zwsoft.com/forum/thread-2674-1-1.html

Summary
Knowing how do Top Down Assembly modeling is just the
first step
The key point to use it well is how to create reference
relationship in inter-part modeling and avoid regeneration fail
Top down assembly modeling maintains key relationships
between parts
Clearance and interface design details
Proper positioning in assemblies
Top down assembly modeling allows for rapid modifications
One change to a parent part can propagate to multiple
derived parts
Top Down and Bottom Up Assembly can be use
simultaneously to design more efficiently and effectively.

End