[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":104},["ShallowReactive",2],{"JU0jk3knRKvYrh0livERg1f0XZrwwSFIbBVkyjg9Ibs":3,"article_the-misaligned-mate-in-solidworks-2018_solidworks":10,"_apollo:default":102,"_apollo:identified":103},{"mailchimpAudience":4},{"actionUrl":5,"slug":6,"locale":7,"default":8,"__typename":9},"","the-misaligned-mate-in-solidworks-2018","en","https:\u002F\u002F3ds.us3.list-manage.com\u002Fsubscribe\u002Fpost?u=ed4601044e1936748c0d2aa6b&id=e5080ff9fe&f_id=002d4de2f0","MailchimpAudience",{"posts":11},{"nodes":12,"__typename":101},[13],{"id":14,"slug":6,"title":15,"uri":16,"excerpt":17,"locale":18,"featuredImage":21,"tableOfContents":29,"content":30,"date":31,"authorJobTitle":5,"author":32,"masterings":42,"globalTags":56,"products":75,"disciplines":86,"seo":90,"__typename":100},"cG9zdDoxMTE4Mw==","The Misaligned Mate in SOLIDWORKS 2018","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Fthe-misaligned-mate-in-solidworks-2018","\u003Cp>The Misaligned Mate is a new mate introduced to the mating ecosystem…\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"locale":19,"__typename":20},"en_US","Locale",{"node":22,"__typename":28},{"large":23,"__typename":24,"medium_large":23,"thumbnail":25,"srcSet":26,"sizes":27},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-finished.jpg.webp","MediaItem","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-finished-150x150.jpg.webp","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-finished.jpg.webp 472w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-finished-300x242.jpg.webp 300w","(max-width: 472px) 100vw, 472px","NodeWithFeaturedImageToMediaItemConnectionEdge",[],"\u003Cp>The Misaligned Mate is a new mate introduced to the mating ecosystem in SOLIDWORKS 2018. In short, it’s a pair of concentric mates that have been relaxed so that the axes aren’t perfectly in line. Meaning that components that do not have identical hole centres can now be mated to one another.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>An example of this could be imported, or “bought in” components, where modifying the centre to centre dimensions is not viable. Let’s look at an example of a sink and a mixer tap, where the holes in the sink are 145mm centre to centre, while the tap is 150mm centre to centre. In terms of absolutes, there is a 5mm disparity between tap pipe and sink hole centres. Prior to SOLIDWORKS 2018 fully defining the two components via concentric mates would be impossible and a workaround would have to be employed.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>However, in reality a 16mm pipe in a 25mm hole means you can move the pipe up to 4.5mm off centre in any direction:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"701\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-pipe-explanation.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11185\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-pipe-explanation.png 701w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-pipe-explanation-300x267.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 701px) 100vw, 701px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Meaning in this example the holes on the sink could vary anywhere between 136 and 154mm, and the tap would still fit…\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"358\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-sink-hole-span-1024x358.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11186\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-sink-hole-span-1024x358.png.webp 1024w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-sink-hole-span-300x105.png.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-sink-hole-span-768x268.png.webp 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-sink-hole-span.png.webp 1107w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>…and this is where the Misaligned Mate comes in: With SOLIDWORKS 2018 we can apply a concentric mate to one pipe\u002Fhole set:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"764\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-first-mate.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11187\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-first-mate.png.webp 764w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-first-mate-300x269.png.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 764px) 100vw, 764px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Then when we attempt to apply one to the other set we get an additional line in the pop-up menu giving the option to make it misaligned:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"447\" height=\"555\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-toggle.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11188\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-toggle.png.webp 447w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-toggle-242x300.png.webp 242w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 447px) 100vw, 447px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Toggling this on then activates the pull-down menu next to it giving three options:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n\u003Cli>‘Align This Mate‘ – aligns the current mate; pushing all misalignment on the first (linked) coincident mate.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>‘Align Linked Mate‘ – aligns the first (linked) mate and all the misalignment is placed on the current mate.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>‘Symmetric‘ – splits the misalignment between the two.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"557\" height=\"552\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-options.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11189\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-options.png.webp 557w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-options-300x297.png.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-options-150x150.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 557px) 100vw, 557px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>For the purposes of this example the symmetric option is the one to go for as the disparity between centres is too great to be accommodated all at one end:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"825\" height=\"609\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-result.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11190\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-result.png.webp 825w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-result-300x221.png.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-result-768x567.png.webp 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 825px) 100vw, 825px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Finish off with a standard coincident mate and it looks fine from above:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"625\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-finished-1024x625.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11191\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-finished-1024x625.png.webp 1024w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-finished-300x183.png.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-finished-768x469.png.webp 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-finished.png.webp 1027w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>And from underneath we can see the pipes are easily accommodated by the holes in the sink:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"763\" height=\"453\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-below.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11192\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-below.png.webp 763w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-below-300x178.png.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 763px) 100vw, 763px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>There is one thing to note however -While this is an excellent and (by some) long awaited addition to the mating system, it is not fool proof. There is the provision of a ‘Maximum deviation’ within the properties (the default value being 12.7mm) so you can set that to help avoid interference. If set correctly the mate will error if the combined deviation is greater than the maximum set. In this case the holes in the sink have been set at a centre to centre of 135mm resulting in a deviation of 7.5mm per hole, a total of 15mm causing the mates to error:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"745\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-error-1024x745.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11193\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-error-1024x745.png.webp 1024w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-error-300x218.png.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-error-768x558.png.webp 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-error.png.webp 1184w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Setting the maximum deviation is easy enough. You can do it for the entire document in Tools > Options > Document Properties > Mates. You can also specify the default mate behaviour – ‘Align first concentric mate‘, ‘Align second concentric mate‘, or ‘Symmetric‘.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"673\" height=\"373\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-document-properties.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11194\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-document-properties.png 673w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-document-properties-300x166.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 673px) 100vw, 673px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Or you can apply a value to a specific mate. After applying the Misaligned mate, edit either of the linked concentric mates (click on it in the Feature tree and select ‘Edit feature’ from the pop up menu)>Untick the ‘Use Document Property’ and then specify the desired value in the Maximum deviation box.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"328\" height=\"292\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-editing-mate.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11195\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-editing-mate.png 328w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-editing-mate-300x267.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 328px) 100vw, 328px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>You can also disable the feature completely from the System Options: Tools > Options > System Options > Assemblies, and untick ‘Allow creation of misaligned mates’.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"718\" height=\"386\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-disable.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11196\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-disable.png 718w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-disable-300x161.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 718px) 100vw, 718px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>However, if you keep them active and neglect to set the maximum deviation or set it incorrectly and this results in the maximum value being greater than the tolerance the components afford you (as with this example where the sink has been modified so the holes are a little further apart) the pipes will clash with the sink, but the misaligned mate won’t error.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"409\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-problem.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-11197\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-problem.png.webp 683w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F02\u002Fmisaligned-mate-solidworks-problem-300x180.png.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>So treat it with care, use interference detection between the components after mating them and remember – with great power comes great responsibility!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Chr class=\"wp-block-separator\">\u003Cp>We hope you found that useful!\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Have you seen our \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.innova-systems.co.uk\u002Fcategory\u002Fblog\u002F\">blog archive\u003C\u002Fa> where we have posted plenty of helpful articles? We also have a fantastic video library filled with easy-to-follow videos on a number of topics inspired by other SOLIDWORKS users – \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.innova-systems.co.uk\u002Fcategory\u002Fvideos\u002Fask-the-experts\u002F\">take a look\u003C\u002Fa>. Also, don’t forget to \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Ftwitter.com\u002FInnovaSystemsUK\">follow Innova Systems on Twitter\u003C\u002Fa> for daily bite size SOLIDWORKS tips, tricks and videos.\u003C\u002Fp>","2018-06-16T11:00:06",{"node":33,"__typename":41},{"nicename":34,"description":35,"slug":34,"name":36,"firstName":5,"lastName":5,"avatar":37,"__typename":40},"innovasystems","We specialise in the supply, technical support and training of SOLIDWORKS software. Based in Cambridge we have a central location to service a UK wide customer base. We offer the skills and experience to help you develop new products using SOLIDWORKS - empowering smarter, faster and more cost effective design.\r\n\r\nWe've been recognised by SOLIDWORKS Corporation for providing the highest rated customer support in Northern Europe in 2014, 2015 and 2016.\r\n\r\nEmail: info@innova-systems.co.uk \u002F Telephone: 01223 200690.","Innova Systems",{"url":38,"__typename":39},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Finnova-systems-solidworks-logo-wh.jpg.webp","Avatar","User","NodeWithAuthorToUserConnectionEdge",{"nodes":43,"edges":50,"__typename":55},[44],{"id":45,"name":46,"slug":47,"uri":48,"__typename":49},"dGVybToxOTk2","Tutorials","tutorials","\u002Fmastering\u002Ftutorials\u002F","Taxonomy_mastering",[51],{"isPrimary":52,"node":53,"__typename":54},false,{"id":45,"name":46,"slug":47,"uri":48,"__typename":49},"PostToTaxonomy_masteringConnectionEdge","PostToTaxonomy_masteringConnection",{"nodes":57,"__typename":74},[58,64,69],{"id":59,"name":60,"slug":61,"uri":62,"__typename":63},"dGVybTo5NjI4","3D Modeling","3d-modeling","\u002Ftags\u002F3d-modeling\u002F","Taxonomy_tag",{"id":65,"name":66,"slug":67,"uri":68,"__typename":63},"dGVybTo5NjAz","SOLIDWORKS","solidworks","\u002Ftags\u002Fsolidworks\u002F",{"id":70,"name":71,"slug":72,"uri":73,"__typename":63},"dGVybTo5NTk2","Tips and Tricks","tips-tricks","\u002Ftags\u002Ftips-tricks\u002F","PostToTaxonomy_tagConnection",{"edges":76,"nodes":83,"__typename":85},[77],{"isPrimary":52,"node":78,"__typename":82},{"id":79,"name":66,"slug":67,"uri":80,"__typename":81},"dGVybTo1Ng==","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002F","Taxonomy_product","PostToTaxonomy_productConnectionEdge",[84],{"id":79,"name":66,"slug":67,"uri":80,"__typename":81},"PostToTaxonomy_productConnection",{"nodes":87,"edges":88,"__typename":89},[],[],"PostToTaxonomy_disciplineConnection",{"canonical":5,"title":91,"metaDesc":5,"opengraphAuthor":5,"opengraphDescription":92,"opengraphTitle":15,"opengraphUrl":93,"opengraphSiteName":94,"opengraphPublishedTime":95,"opengraphModifiedTime":96,"twitterTitle":5,"twitterDescription":5,"readingTime":97,"metaRobotsNoindex":98,"__typename":99},"The Misaligned Mate in SOLIDWORKS 2018 - Blog Solidworks","The Misaligned Mate is a new mate introduced to the mating ecosystem…","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Fthe-misaligned-mate-in-solidworks-2018\u002F","Blog Solidworks","2018-06-16T15:00:06+00:00","2025-02-11T06:19:33+00:00",4,"noindex","PostTypeSEO","Post","RootQueryToPostConnection",{},{},1776256859947]