Assembly Envelopes

[Russell67]

Has anyone used this feature? I have read the help files in trying to understand this feature and it is very confusing.

If so a few questions

Is this feature dependent upon external references?
Can you use this rather than inserting a reference assembly into your design?
Is it just as easy to save the assembly as a part?

Any help appreciated. Thanks

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

An envelope is basically just a reference tool used in an assy to quickly select a set of components for a subsequent operation.

An assembly envelope is a special type of assembly component. It is a reference component, and it is ignored in global assembly operations (Bill of Materials, Mass Properties, and so on). This functionality allows you to select components based on their positions with respect to the envelope volume (inside, outside, or crossing).

You can use an envelope by itself to quickly change the visibility of assembly components. You can also use an envelope (either alone or in combination with file properties), to select components for other editing operations, such as suppress, copy, or delete.

The envelope component must be a solid volume (not shelled). This is because selection with envelopes is based on interference between the volumes of the functional assembly components and the envelope component. It is not based on the containment of components within the bounding box of the envelope component.

Which part of the above quote do you find confusing? And I'm not being sarcastic.

 

[ShaggyPE]

An assembly envelope is a special type of assembly component. It is a reference component, and it is ignored in global assembly operations (Bill of Materials, Mass Properties, and so on)[quote/]

I have used (or at least attempted to use) assembly envelopes as reference components to represent existing structure that new components are installing onto. I was basically creating what the DRM calls an Installation Assembly. I ended up finding it easier to just save the reference assembly as a part and insert that into my Installation Assembly.

See this thread for further info:
thread559-199767
thread559-226914


-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional
Certified COSMOSWorks Designer Specialist
Certified SolidWorks Advanced Sheet Metal Specialist

 

[Russell67]

Thanks Shaggy, i new i commented some time ago about this but just could not remember. I guess i still see that this is one feature that is not easy for people (me included) to quite understand.

Corey what i am looking for is a method for creating this feature. Sort of a line by line tutorial thing. If this appears to be useful then it may help us to rethink the way we deal with large assemblies and the speed difficiancies associated with.

 

[TheTick]

what i am looking for is a method for creating this feature

Insert --> Envelope --> From File...

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

RUSSELL67,

Using SpeedPak, Lightweight and/or simplified configurations will probably have more impact in large assy performance.

 

[zirtapoz]

Firstly
sorry for my English..
I am trying to improve..


I have an assembly(ASM-A)..
ASM-A have some sub assemblies
sb-A, sb-B, sb-C..
All tree sub assemblies putting together on same main body(MB-a)..
if i use just one "MB-a" in the (ASM-A) and then setup other
sb-A, sb-B sb-C :
1. I will need to use flexible sub assemblies to get the shape of main body for each sub-assebly..
2. Sub assemblies will not have right mates when they are opened by oneself.

instead of these,
if you use main body "MB-a" in your sub assemblies, you will have 3 or 4 main body one within the other.. And i think this is a terrible method for CAD..

So the right method is
When forming your sub assemblies, first insert the main body(Mb-a) by using envelope method. Then form your assembly on this envelope main body..
In the ASM-a(your main assembly) insert the main body. Then insert the other sub assemblies by reference of your main body.