--- title: Dynamic Spring in SOLIDWORKS Assembly description: "First and foremost: The following setting has to be enabled: This allows for the creation of external references within an assembly. Create the assembly: We will be using a relatively simple assembly" --- [Skip to content](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/dynamic-spring-in-assembly#main-content) English Show submenu for translations [More support](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) [![MECAD Systems Logo - Original 2](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/MECAD%20Systems%20Logo%20-%20Original%202.png?width=190&height=60&name=MECAD%20Systems%20Logo%20-%20Original%202.png)](https://mecad.co.za/) - [About](https://mecad.co.za/about/) - [Products](https://mecad.co.za/products/) - [Training](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-training/) - Support Show submenu for Support - [Request Support](https://mecad.co.za/request-support/) - [Contact Us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) - Resources Show submenu for Resources - [Promotions](https://mecad.co.za/end-of-promotion/) - [Product Brochures](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-product-brochures/) - [Customer Stories](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-customer-stories/) - [Blog](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-blog/) - [Webinars](https://www.youtube.com/@mecadsystems-solidworksand4875) - [Events](https://mecad.co.za/events/) - [Careers](https://mecad.co.za/careers/) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [About](https://mecad.co.za/about/) - [Products](https://mecad.co.za/products/) - [Training](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-training/) - Support Show submenu for Support - [Request Support](https://mecad.co.za/request-support/) - [Contact Us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) - Resources Show submenu for Resources - [Promotions](https://mecad.co.za/end-of-promotion/) - [Product Brochures](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-product-brochures/) - [Customer Stories](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-customer-stories/) - [Blog](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-blog/) - [Webinars](https://www.youtube.com/@mecadsystems-solidworksand4875) - [Events](https://mecad.co.za/events/) - [Careers](https://mecad.co.za/careers/) - English Show submenu for translations - [More support](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/kb-tickets/new) - [Contact us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) [Contact us](https://mecad.co.za/contact-us/) How can we help you? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. 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[Custom](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#custom) # Dynamic Spring in SOLIDWORKS Assembly **First and foremost:** The following setting has to be enabled: !["Allow creation of references external to the model" is selected.](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hubfs/image-png-Jun-28-2022-05-21-39-84-AM.png) This allows for the creation of external references within an assembly. **Create the assembly:** We will be using a relatively simple assembly (seen below) for this example as it is only for proof of concept. ![Example of an Assembly](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hubfs/image-png-Jun-28-2022-05-34-38-82-AM.png) Thereafter we will add the spring and use a concentric mate to align the axis of the spring with the circular face of the base ![Spring added to use a concentric mate to align the axis of the spring](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hubfs/image-png-Jun-28-2022-05-36-28-48-AM.png) Add a coincident mate between the bottom face of the spring and the base ![Added a coincident mate between the bottom face of the spring and the base](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hubfs/image-png-Jun-28-2022-05-37-55-45-AM.png)   You can now freely move the elevated piece without seeing any affect to the spring.   **Adding external references:** Edit the relevant sketch from within the assembly. ![Adding external references](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hubfs/image-png-Jun-28-2022-05-40-48-85-AM.png) Add a coincident mate between the free end of the line and an edge of the e*levated piece*. ![A coincident mate between the free end of the line and an edge of the elevated piece.](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hubfs/image-png-Jun-28-2022-05-42-34-44-AM.png) Once you move your elevated piece, you'll notice that the spring does not yet move. This is because you have to rebuild the assembly first (Ctrl+Q). ![Example of elevated piece](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hubfs/image-png-Jun-28-2022-05-44-43-05-AM.png) Once updated, the spring will be in it's new position. ![After updated, spring is in a new position. ](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hubfs/image-png-Jun-28-2022-05-45-19-38-AM.png)   *Date published: 28/06/2022* - [SOLIDWORKS PDM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-pdm?hsLang=en) - [SOLIDWORKS CAM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-cam?hsLang=en) - [SOLIDWORKS Visualize](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-visualize?hsLang=en) - [SOLIDWORKS Simulation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-simulation?hsLang=en#main-content) - [SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-simulation?hsLang=en#solidworks-flow-simulation) - [SOLIDWORKS Simulation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-simulation?hsLang=en#solidworks-simulation) - [SOLIDWORKS Electrical](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-electrical?hsLang=en) - [SOLIDWORKS Inspection](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-inspection?hsLang=en) - [General FAQ](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#main-content) - [BOM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#bom) - [Sheet Metal](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#sheet-metal) - [Files](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#files) - [PDM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#pdm) - [Weldments](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#weldments) - [Assembly](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#assembly) - [Installation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#installation) - [SolidWorks Standalone License](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#solidworks-standalone-license) - [File Locations](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#file-locations) - [Certifications](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/general-faq?hsLang=en#certifications) - [3DEXPERIENCE Platform](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/3dexperience-platform?hsLang=en#main-content) - [FAQ](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/3dexperience-platform?hsLang=en#faq) - [Updates](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/3dexperience-platform?hsLang=en#updates) - [SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Activation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#activation) - [Tips & Tricks](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#tips-tricks) - [Installation](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#installation) - [Custom](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#custom) - [Configurations](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#configurations) - [Drawings](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#drawings) - [PDM](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#pdm) - [Assemblies](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-3d-cad?hsLang=en#assemblies) - [SOLIDWORKS Gold Products](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-gold-products?hsLang=en#main-content) - [myCADtools](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/solidworks-gold-products?hsLang=en#mycadtools) - [Licensing FAQ](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/licensing-faq?hsLang=en#main-content) - [July 2023 SOLIDWORKS License & Subscription Changes](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/licensing-faq?hsLang=en#july-2023-solidworks-license-subscription-changes) - [DraftSight](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/draftsight?hsLang=en) - [MECAD Events](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/mecad-events?hsLang=en#main-content) - [MECAD Accelerate](https://faq.mecad.co.za/knowledge/mecad-events?hsLang=en#mecad-accelerate) - [About](https://mecad.co.za/about/) - [Products](https://mecad.co.za/products/) - [Training](https://mecad.co.za/solidworks-training/) - [Support](https://mecad.co.za/request-support/) - [Request a quote](https://mecad.co.za/request-a-quote/) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://faq.mecad.co.za/hs-fs/hubfs/download.png?width=137&height=24&name=download.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://mecad.co.za/) **Centurion Offices** Rosehip Office Park, 29 Landmarks Ave, Kosmosdal Ext 11, Samrand Centurion Gauteng +27 12 645 4300   **Cape Town Offices** Unit E1, Centurion Business Park, Cnr Bosmansdam & Democracy Road, Milnerton Cape Town, Western Cape +27 21 555 1513   **Durban Offices** Fairway Green Office Park, Gardenia House, 3 Abrey Road, Kloof Durban KwaZulu-Natal +27 31 764 7658 [mailto:email@email.com](mailto:email@email.com) Copyright © 2025, MECAD