You may already be familiar with using equations in SOLIDWORKS to relate dimensions and features to common values, allowing you to scale your models by modifying just a few global variables. You may also be familiar with creating configurations to create variations of similar products, perhaps by changing certain dimensions or controlling suppression states of components or features. But did you know that the equation manager also allows you to assign different values for equations to each configuration of your model This allows us to quickly create different product sizes with appropriate scaling. This can be incorporated with typical configuration controls such as suppression of features. Generally, the easiest way to configure equations is to use global variables in the design. This way, only a few values will need to be modified to change the overall size. Rather than having to potentially rewrite equations for each configuration. In this model, global variables have been assigned for the height, width, and depth. For the table, which in turn drive variables for the smaller nested table. These values are then applied to various dimensions and features, such as patterns across the paths, to achieve an appropriate scaling when the values are changed. Finally, the nested table is moved from the center using the move bodies command for visual purposes. To configure equations, we need to start by creating a new configuration. To do this, we right click in the Configuration Manager and then click Add Configuration. Then we return to the Feature Manager design three. Right click on the equations folder and click Manage Equations. Once in the Equation manager, the dropdown menu in the top right signals which To configure equations, we need to start by creating a new configuration. To do this, we right click in the Configuration Manager and then click Add Configuration. Then we return to the Feature Manager design three. Right click on the equations folder and click Manage Equations. Once in the Equation manager, the dropdown menu in the top right signals which configuration the Equation Manager is controlling. This can be used to quickly switch and apply values to other configurations to modify a value or equation. Start typing as you would normally. Here we will change the height to 500mm. To start with. Before we confirm the change, we must specify which configuration this change applies to. By default it will apply to all. Use the button on the right hand side of the equation value to choose this configuration or specify configurations. We will then modify the overall depth and width for the table using the other global variables to finish scaling the configuration. If your model includes derived configurations, as this one does, since it includes well-known features, you should only need to change equation values for the parent configuration to see changes in both. If you want the derived configuration to use different values, be sure to change them after modifying the parent or up to standard configurations. Instead. If we want a certain configuration to be unaffected by any equations, we can just change the value column to a numerical value, such as 450mm. We can also completely unlink a dimension from an equation in a specific configuration, by modifying it and removing the equal sign, before ensuring that the change only applies to the current configuration. Using the configuration button. entire assemblies, which will in turn generate all of the relevant parts and drawings. When the product is ordered and sent to the manufacturer. Once you've configured equations for one configuration, we can utilize Excel design tables to speed up the process for editing further ones by using insert Tables, Excel Design Table, and Auto Create. We can generate a table which includes the global variables which we have already configured. This would allow us to quickly create further configurations by creating new rows and inputting new values for the global variables. We could even take this a step further by incorporating Excel equations to allow advanced formula based controls over the appearance of additional features or parts based on input values. For deeper dive into how you would create and use Excel design tables, watch this video. If you'd like to learn more about equations and configurations, or perhaps you're just looking to expand your SolidWorks knowledge, consider attending one of our certified SolidWorks training courses.