A quick and easy method for Bound Box in WF2+?

[fcorona]

Like the title says, I am looking to find a way to generate a bounding cube (X,Y,& Z dims), in relation to a defined csys, around a solid part/assembly for estimating steel requirements and packaging. I had a demo of a program in Solidworks that would do exactly that called Minbbox(from right here at Eng-tips) but we are looking to get rid of Solidworks and I cant seem to contact that author anymore.

I'd need the method to be friendly for a non-Pro/e-user as well as quick and convenient for our Pro/E users if they have to do a lot of these calculations themselves.

Does anyone know of either a built in method that I may be missing or some script/program that can be run to scheive my goals?


Thanks,

Frank Corona

 

[JohnAndrews]

Frank,

Pro/E Behavioral Modeling (BMX) should be able to do this, I have seen a BMX example demonstrated fitting a minimum box around a 3D pipe. If this is set up correctly, it would be user friendly enough for anyone to use.

Just out of interest, why are you looking to get rid of Solidworks?

John

 

[fcorona]

BMX may be an option but I dont know if I can justify the $2000+/year(just a guess) in additional maintenance. Any other options?


As for Solidworks, we're looking to get rid of it for a couple of reasons.

First, we build plastic injection mold tooling (and some aluminum die cast) and Pro/E has a far superior mold design package, at least in my opinion.

Second, better than 90% of our customers use Wildfire or Wildfire 2 so having that direct interoperability is a plus.

Third, we also have a 2-D design package based on the old CIMCAD that was the basis for most legacy work.

Finally, since we are not a consulting company the management doesnt feel the need to keep on paying maintenance for a 3rd CAD package that is very seldom used.

I personally like SW and have done a lot of cool stuff in it but in this case we really have no need for it now.