Hinge Mates

A hinge mate limits the movement between two components to one rotational degree of freedom. It has the same effect as adding a concentric mate plus a coincident mate. You can limit the angular movement between the two components.

Advantages of hinge mates:
  • When modeling, you need to apply only one mate instead of two mates.
  • If you run an analysis (such as with SOLIDWORKS Simulation or SOLIDWORKS Motion), the reaction forces and results are associated with the hinge mate, not a concentric or coincident mate. This association reduces the negative effects of redundant mates on the analysis.

To add a hinge mate:

  1. Click Mate (Assembly toolbar) or Insert > Mate.
  2. In the PropertyManager, under Mechanical Mates, click Hinge .
  3. Make selections and specify options under Mate Selections:
    • Concentric Selections . Select two entities. Valid selections are the same as for concentric mates.

    • Coincident Selections . Select two entities. Valid selections include a plane or planar face and:
      • Plane or planar face
      • Edge
      • Point


    • Specify angle limits. Select to limit the angular rotation between the two parts. Define the extent of rotation:
      • Angle Selections . Select two faces.

      • Angle. Specify the nominal angle between the two faces.
      • Maximum Value
      • Minimum Value
  4. Click .

    Hinge appears in the Mates folder in the FeatureManager design tree.

    To use Hinge Mates in a Motion Study, SOLIDWORKS Motion must be loaded.