Alternative SW Toolbox? 2

[engrnick]

Anyone got a location I can download a new Toolbox? I couldn't afford it, but I really need a standard parts library for faster modeling.

Any suggestions for free ones? or at least a cheap, usable SW2011 compatible one?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Take a look at the free version of 123GO from

http://www.logopress3.com/en/products-6.php

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

McMasterCarr also has 1,000's of down-loadable models of all kinds of products.

Many people have created their own library.

 

[hititfaster]

I'm going to look into this as well. After thinking I'd cracked the fixings issue I was having, I took an assembly (with all files - did a pack and go of it) to a client a couple of days ago, only to be greeted with a missing link message as I opened it.

For now, I've gone back to making my own library of standard parts using config's driven by a design table. That's not really how I want to do things though...

I'd be keen to know how you progress on this one!

 

[hititfaster]

I have to say, that looks to have real potential. I've downloaded and had a play with the unregistered version (while waiting for the registration key to come through) and so far I like it. Certainly takes a lot of steps away from my normal process! I'll update as I use it...

 

[engrnick]

I've been using McMaster parts, but it's a hassle to keep downloading them. Swapping lengths could be easier if the parts were parametric and related to each other, rather than individual models.

I'll give 123GO a try, I just got the confirmation email.

 

[SnowCrash]

Downloaded 123Go and ran the tutorial. I can't believe this great timesaver is free. It does fasteners, washers, nuts and bolts and makes the holes for you.
"cheap at twice the price"

--
Hardie "Crashj" Johnson
SW 2011 SP 2.0
HP Pavillion Elite HPE
W7 Pro, Nvidia Quaddro FX580

 

[hititfaster]

I have a question on this: here's what I emailed to the company...


"I downloaded your software a few days ago and have now used it during the design of my latest piece of equipment. I have been very impressed so far!

I am now creating drawings of the machine. Some parts of the machine have been created using configurations and these have different names, so that they appear as separate items in my BOM, which is as I want. I need the fasteners to group together (i.e. I have used 3xM8 washers in three areas so I want a total of 9 M8 washers to appear in a single row of the BOM). Unfortunately, it seems that for each use of the washer, the software has created a new config. with a different name. This makes it hard to group the washers together. Is there a way of grouping the washers (or any other fastener) in the BOM?

Thank you in advance for your help!"

Any ideas?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

After creating and inserting one M8 washer, did you copy (pattern) it to the other locations, or re-create others from 123Go?

 

[hititfaster]

I allowed the software to create them as I went. I have:

- 4 off M8x30 CSK head screws with a nut and washer
- As above in a second location
- 4 off M8x16 hex head screws with washers

I set my BOM to display config's with the same name as one item and the CSK heads have come together as total 8 off in one row. Perfect. The washers, however, have been created as new config's for each batch generated: effectively, I've done three operations, which has generated three config's with different names...

That lot made perfect sense in my head, but I'm no teacher so if it's gobbledegook to everyone else, please let me know and I'll try to clarify haha!

 

[hititfaster]

For those of you who are interested, this is what they replied with. For what it's worth, I'm hugely impressed with this company... Free software, which for the most part works very well and speeds up my workflow, therefore directly increasing profit AND even when there is a small niggle, they stand by it with an eloquent and considered solution. There were even a few helpful screen-shots included with this reply.

Hello Tom,

You’re right, I’ve been able to reproduce what you’re describing.
I don’t know if it’s the normal behaviour (maybe come customer request), or if it’s a bug, but I’ve reported it to our development team.

Anyway, here’s an easy workaround that you can try:

1) rigth-click the 1st washer of the second (or third...) series of washer (it’s better to select it in the FeatureManager tree),
and select Component properties...



2) Then select the configuration of the 1st series of washer (for example 16-1.5), and click Ok.
The patterned washers of the same series will automatically updated.
You have to this action for each series of washer (if you have 3 series, you have to do it 3 times).



3) After setting each series with the same configuration, you can clean-up the washer component : open it and delete the unused configurations.

4) When creating the BOM, you’ll find only one row for the washer with the right quantity.
Inconvenient of this method : if you have to edit the fastener with 123Go (select it and click Logopress3, 123Go by Logopress3), it will re-recreate a new configuration, but you can easily repair it as described above.