SOLIDWORKS 2016 Mirror Assembly Features

SOLIDWORKS 2016 now introduces the ability to mirror assembly features.  The mirrored feature will propagate down to the part level only if the parent feature is also propagated down to the part.

NOTE: If you receive an error when mirroring a Hole Series feature, try enabling the option “Geometry Pattern” in the mirror feature.

Mirror Assembly Features Example

In the figure below a counterbore hole has been applied as an assembly feature. This hole is required on the other side of the model so we’ll use the mirror feature to apply it.

Assembly-level feature requires mirroring

I’ll select the Mirror feature from the Assembly Features menu, note that the mirror tool is only enabled when there is an assembly feature present in the model.

Mirror command becomes available in the Assembly Features drop-down only after an assembly-level feature has been added

I’ll then select a model face or reference plane to mirror about. You can use an assembly model face/place or any component face/plane to mirror selected feature[s]:

Use an assembly reference plane or any component reference plane

Picking OK to create the mirrored feature, which you can now see at the foot of the design tree in the image below:

Mirror feature applied

When you open the related part file you’ll see that the mirror feature has been propagated from the assembly to the part as an in-context relation. But the mirrored feature will propagate down to the part level only if the parent feature is also propagated down to the part.

Mirror feature is propagated down to part level

More SOLIDWORKS 2016 Tips

To learn more about what’s new in SOLIDWORKS 2016 software you can review other SOLIDWORKS 2016 update posts here. You might also consider attending a SOLIDWORKS Advanced Update course where you can learn how to obtain new SOLIDWORKS skills. Learn more about our Update Training.