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WHEN SHOULD I USE THE ONSHAPE INSERT TOOL?
If you're making an assembly for a part with non-custom pieces, the insert tool is an easy way to add those parts without having to make them from scratch. There is a global library that has most parts from robotics vendors including AndyMark, goBilda, Rev Robotics, Servo City, and Pitsco (Tetrix Robotics). If the part you are looking to insert is very new, it is likely that it will not already be in the global library, but this guide will have a section on how to insert these parts.
HOW TO GET TO THE GLOBAL LIBRARY
On the right hand side of an Onshape document, there will be a vertical tool bar. The bottom box is the insert tool. If you click on the insert tool, it will open a menu with multiple options. The Global Library will be the fourth option from the top. Clicking on the Global Library will take you to a menu that has each parts vendor.
Picture of “Insert Tool” home menu with the “Insert Tool” and “Global Libraries” buttons highlighted in red.
HOW TO FIND YOUR PART
From the Global Libraries menu, select the vendor that has the part that you want to insert. From here, there are two ways to find the part that you want to insert. The first way is to look through the subsections within the vendor’s menu to find your specific part. This way is better for finding configurable parts such as screws, channels, extrusions, and other parts that you want to customize the length of. The second, and much faster way, is to go to the vendor’s website and find the part that you need to insert. When you find the part on their website, there will be a part number, usually located underneath the part name. Copy this number and return to Onshape. In the search bar at the top of the Insert Tool, paste the part number and press enter and your part should appear.
Image of goBilda part on goBilda website with part number highlighted
INSERTING YOUR PART
Once you have found your part in the Global library, click on it and it will appear in your assembly. If you have a part with a length that is customisable, use the first method of finding it instead of putting the exact part number. If the part is configurable, it will say “configurable” in parentheses. There will be a dropdown where you can change the length. Once you have selected the correct length, click on the part and it will be added to your assembly.
WHAT IF MY PART ISN'T IN THE GLOBAL LIBRARY?
If you for some reason can’t find your part in the part studio, then go to the part on the vendor’s website. There should be a link to download a step file. Download it and unzip the file. In Onshape, click on the plus button on the bottom left of the screen and then the “Import” button on that popup menu. Once you select the step file, a menu will appear. Make sure you select “Combine to a single part studio.” Doing this will create a part studio with your part in it, but we still have to add this part into the assembly. Click on the assembly tab and press the “Insert” button in the upper left corner. Find the part that you just imported, select it, and place it in the assembly before pressing the checkmark in the right hand corner.
Image with plus button and import tool highlighted in red
Image with “Combine to a single part studio” button highlighted in red
Image of upper right insert box and the part to add highlighted in red
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