How to Configure SOLIDWORKS Toolbox to Restrict Component Availability

The SOLIDWORKS Toolbox includes a wide range of international standards and thousands of hardware components. While this flexibility is powerful, most companies use only a subset of hardware types and sizes. To avoid clutter, reduce errors, and enforce company standards, administrators can restrict which components are available in the Toolbox library.

This article explains how to customize the Toolbox library to control availability by standard, category, and component size.

1. Open the Toolbox Settings application.

   
   
   
2. Click on the Customize your hardware section
   
   
   
   

Restrict Standards, Categories, and Components

1. To disable a specific standard (e.g., ANSI, ISO, DIN, BSI, JIS), unselect the checkbox for any you would like to remove from view in SOLIDWORKS and Save.

   

2. To disable a specific category within a standard (e.g., Washers or Pins), click on the standard to navigate to the categories within and unselect the checkbox for any you would like to remove from view in SOLIDWORKS and Save.

   
   
3. To disable a specific component family within a category (e.g., Countersunk Head or Lag Screws), click on the category and unselect the checkbox for any you would like to remove from view in SOLIDWORKS and Save.
   
   
   
4. To disable a specific component type within a family (e.g., Heavy Hex Bolt or Heavy Hex Finished Bolt), click on the component family and unselect the checkbox for any you would like to remove from view in SOLIDWORKS and Save.

Restrict Component Sizes and Variations

For cases where you want a component available, but only certain sizes:

1. Navigate to the desired component (e.g., ANSI Inch > Bolts and Screws > Hex Head > Hex Bolt).

2. Under the Standard Properties section, select Size.

   
   
   

3. Clear the checkboxes for the sizes you do not plan on using.

   
   
   
4. Repeat for Length, Thread Data, and Thread Display and Save.