Is a ʼConcentric Mateʼ used specifically for circular or cylindrical faces in SolidWorks?
Short Answer
Yes — in SolidWorks, the Concentric Mate is specifically used to align circular edges, cylindrical faces, cones, and revolved surfaces so they share the same axis. The most common professional method is to select two cylindrical features in the Mate PropertyManager. It does not control axial position by itself.
What You Need to Know Before
Warning: A Concentric Mate only aligns axes; it does not stop parts from sliding or rotating unless you add another mate or lock rotation. A common assembly failure happens when users expect concentric alignment alone to fully constrain a pin, bolt, or shaft.
How to Use a Concentric Mate in SolidWorks
Command: Mate
Shortcut: M
Quick Steps:
- In an assembly, click Assembly toolbar > Mate or press M to open the Mate PropertyManager.
- Select two circular or cylindrical faces, circular edges, or matching revolved faces that should share the same axis.
- Under Standard Mates, confirm Concentric, then optionally enable Lock Rotation if you do not want the parts to spin.
Variables & Settings
Key Setting: Lock Rotation
- Expert Setting: This option prevents rotational movement between concentric components. Use it for bolts, dowel pins, or shafts that must stay angularly fixed, but leave it off when the part must rotate, such as wheels, bearings, or hinge pins.
Why it Fails
Cause 1 (Geometry): The selected faces are not truly cylindrical, circular, conical, or revolved, so SolidWorks cannot create a valid concentric relationship.
Cause 2 (layers/Locks): One component may be Fixed or constrained by existing mates, preventing the assembly from solving the new concentric condition correctly.
Cause 3 (Command/Logic): A Concentric Mate is used where additional control is needed, such as axial distance or angular orientation, so the part remains underdefined or still moves unexpectedly.
Quick Fix & Best Practice
Quick Fix: Edit the mate with Mate, reselect valid cylindrical faces, and add a second mate such as Coincident or Distance to control axial position.
Manager’s Verdict: Use Concentric Mate as the standard professional method for holes, shafts, pins, and fasteners, but never rely on it alone when the part also needs position or rotation control.
FAQ
Can Concentric Mate be used on circular edges and not just faces?
Yes, SolidWorks can create a concentric relation from circular edges as well as cylindrical faces.
Does Concentric Mate stop a shaft from rotating?
No, not unless you enable Lock Rotation or add another mate.
Can I use Concentric Mate for a bolt in a hole?
Yes, this is one of the most common assembly uses in SolidWorks.
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