SOLIDWORKS Toolbox Lock Rotation of new Concentric Mates to Components

In SOLIDWORKS 2019, any new Toolbox components can have their concentric mates rotation locked automatically. In order to activate the SOLIDWORKS Toolbox Lock Rotation for concentric mates option, you need to go to: Tools > Options > System Options > Hole Wizard/Toolbox and under Toolbox Mates, check the Lock rotation of new concentric mates to Toolbox components option.

Enabling Automatic Lock Rotation of New Concentric Mates for Toolbox Components

Once you have this option enabled, any new Toolbox component that you insert into your assembly and apply a concentric mate, will have its rotation locked. You can still right-click on the mate and Edit Feature and clear Lock Rotation under the Concentric mate to unlock the rotation.

Here is an example of how you can use this new functionality:

1. Insert the toolbox component into your assembly by drag and dropping it to the face where it is going to be mated to (creating an automatic concentric mate).

Drag and Dropping a Bolt (Toolbox Component) to a Cylindrical Face to Create an Automatic Concentric Mate

2. Verify that the concentric mate has its rotation locked by looking at the locked rotation icon and also editing the mate feature.

Editing the Concentric Mate Using Edit Feature To Verify the Automatic Locked Rotation For Concentric Mates

3. When you edit the mate feature, you can clear the Lock Rotation box for the concentric mate if needed.

The Lock Rotation Box Can Be Unchecked If Required

NOTE: SOLIDWORKS Toolbox Lock Rotation functionality also works when using the Smart Fastener command, when creating a SmartMate using the Alt + drag technique on a cylindrical face (or circular edge) of a toolbox component, or when manually creating a concentric mate.