Customize Hole Wizard 2

[bobsheets]

I have created custom .mdb files for holes our company uses. They appear in the Hole Wizard Standard drop-down list okay, but how do I get them to appear at the top of the list. I can't find the file that controls this list and I've been unable to affect it by using the settings table in default.mdb. Small thing but it really gets to be a pain, dropping down and selecting with each hole series. I want to avoid knocking out the ANSI and replacing it with our custom series.

 

[josephv]

Hello,

I would strongly recommend that you contact your reseller on this one.

Although, changing the MDB files technically should work, I am not sure that this is supported, and there may be conflicts with other parts of the code.

Cheers,

Joseph

 

[SBaugh]

From my understanding, SW recommends that the MDB files not be changed. If they are, then it's a "use at your own risk situation".

Good Luck,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
When in doubt, always check the help

 

[bobsheets]

Thanks for yopur response. It was our VAR that suggested I created the new .mdb files to solve our hole issues. It is really very simple and predictable. The table structures are well named and the cell titles descriptive. By doing this we avoided 9 designers all making thier own "favorites" for our company's unique hole sizes. I didn't think we were on scared ground, I felt that the use of .mdb, .ldx and .txt files to control these functions was done to give access to the user. They could have easily hardcoded them into .dll's like the old hole callout controls. The addition of the calloutformat.txt was a hugh step forward, and we are hoping that 2004 gives the same type of control for BOM's. These types of customization along with the unbelievable power of the API is what will keep SW on top.

 

[sdb999]

More information on this topic please. Did you create your own "standard" with your own values for holes? Cany a new "custom" standard be created by copying one of the ANSI? The SolidWorks ANSI Standard isn't any such thing, so I was forced to modify the values in the table to match ANSI B18.2.8 when I realized that upgrades might be a problem. I have been told by my VAR that it's unsupported but SolidWorks has little time for enhancements that don't generate new sales. I have the same issue only it's 50+ users at two different sites hundreds of miles apart.

 

[bobsheets]

Yes, I copied the ansiinch.mdb and ansimtrc.mdb renamed them for my own purposes. I then modified the tables to the values our manufacturing requires. I did a lot of removing for thread series and lengths we don't support. You can then modify the Default.mdb to include your "new" custom standard in the Hole Wizard drop down list. As I said the tables are clearly labeled and logical. The trickiest part is manipulating the different versions of the .mdb files. I'm using MSAccess2000 and I must import and export the files to the correct versions. As cautioned by our esteemed collegues, care must be exercised and any changes tested on a "development" system before the modified files are distributed like any add-in (API). I have not had any problems other than the uncontrolled listing order I originally posted about. We have been through several upgrades and the table structures have not changed. I have to check them before I roll out an upgrade, but that is standard procedure anyway. Have fun!!

 

[sdb999]

I copied ansimetric.mbd to cust.mdb. Went to default.mdb and added cust.mdb at the bottom. Still won't show in "Standard" pull down in Hole Wizard. Any thoughts? I paid no attention to versions of Access, and received no errors when opening or saving. Additionally where do the display names reside for these standards, as they are not the same as the .mbd file?

 

[Standing]

We have modified out hole wizard table called calloutformat.txt, works great for us. We keep a copy of it out on the Network for safe keeping. We changed the file and put in in: C:\Program Files\SolidWorks\lang\english\calloutformat.txt. Remember to keep a copy of the old SolidWorks file also. We have not used nor changed the custom .mdb files. In the drawing we insert annotations, hole callout, then the text looks like our standards.

Next is an example of our changed document.
COUNTERBORE-THRU=<MOD-DIAM> <hw-thruholedia> THRU; <HOLE-SPOT><MOD-DIAM> <hw-cbdia>; <HOLE-DEPTH> <hw-cbdepth>
*with farside countersink*
COUNTERBORE-THRU(csfs)=<MOD-DIAM> <hw-thruholedia> THRU; <HOLE-SPOT><MOD-DIAM> <hw-cbdia>; <HOLE-DEPTH> <hw-cbdepth>; <HOLE-SINK><MOD-DIAM> <hw-fscsdia> X <hw-fscsang>, FS
*with underhead csink*
COUNTERBORE-THRU(csms)=<MOD-DIAM> <hw-thruholedia> THRU; <HOLE-SPOT><MOD-DIAM> <hw-cbdia>; <HOLE-DEPTH> <hw-cbdepth>; <HOLE-SINK><MOD-DIAM> <hw-midcsdia> X <hw-midcsang>, <hw-msgmidside>

I hope this helps.


Bradley

 

[sdb999]

Thanks Bradley, but we are not talking about the same subject here. The calloutformat.txt customizes the note in the drawings only. What I'm trying to do is modify the hole wizard values to model holes that conform to the ANSI standard for fasteners. Then of course the notes should follow.

bobsheets: I'm at the same spot now, thanks for your help. If I can successfully bring my standard to the top of the pull down, or make it the default I'll let you know. Please do the same.

 

[bobsheets]

Sorry for the delay! I was on vacation. I'm glad you met with sucess. I've got some time this week to work on this again and in several weeks I'll be at the Graphics Systems Users Conf. and hopefully get some more info there.

 

[bobsheets]

Just returned from Midwest SW User Cong. and had a chance to talk with the SW guy's about controling the dropdown list order, you can't. They said they would change it so that any added &quot;std's&quot; would appear at the top of the list, not the bottom in the future. They said it was really an oversight and should be corrected. Nobody told me not to modify the .mdb files. It is just like any mods, be careful, leave a trail back.

 

[sdb999]

Thanks for the update.

 

[LambeauLeap]

The c'bore diameters in the ansi standard are wrong. How do I change the .mdb to fix this problem? What .mdb file do I modify? Why doesn't SW just have the correct numbers in the first place?

 

[SBaugh]

SW doesn't recommend you change the MDB files. If you do then they cannot be held responsible for might happen.

Can you please specify What is incorrect or wrong in the Ansi Standard C'bore Diameters?

What are the correct numbers?

Why don't you make your own DB and use that instead?

Tools\Options\System Options\Data Options\Edit Standards Data

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

LambeauLeap
You should have started a new thread for your question ... however check thread559-75609

I wish to inform you that my copy of Machinery's Handbook (ed.26) state that clerance hoel drill for 3/8 close fit is .3860 and that the free fit .3970 Even on this website

http://www.csgnetwork.com/screwfracmachtable.html

You can see the info that I'm stating

That is why SW is using those values.

from (the City of) Barrie, Ontario.

If you choke a smurf, what color does it turn?

 

[LambeauLeap]

I didn't know about the new custom DB in SW2004, we have only had it for a few months now. Thanks for the info.

 

[SBaugh]

See

http://www.scottjbaugh.com/Tips_Tricks/Data_Options.htm

for help on making a new DB.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[charbroil]

I revived this topic because it got me pointed in the right direction, but I'm experiencing a roadblock.

My company uses a lot of Helicoil Inserts, and most of our customers call out Military Spec MS33537 for the drilling and tapping of the destination hole. This specification has slightly different values than SW’s internal standard for the tap drill diameter, c-sink size, and most importantly, tap depth & thread depth.

I took SBaugh's advice yesterday and created a new Standard for my Hole Wizard. I derived a new std named MS33537 from the Helicoil-Inch std and began to edit after saving it.

I edited the first size, #2-56, to my values and wanted to see how the wizard built holes.

Once in the hole wizard, I chose the Standard, Screw type (1.5 * Dia), and Size, the values below are not what I set up in the standards window. C-Sink Diameter and thread depth are not correct. More so, if I change the thread depth, the hole wizard seems to be Auto-Calculating the drill depth to suit, so I can only make one of my values match the spec at a time. This is a little frustrating. Do I not understand the way standards are handled in Solidworks, or am I doing something else wrong?



"I'm gonna go get the papers, get the papers."
Goodfellas Special Edition arrives August 17. We Gotta toughen this kid up.

 

[SBaugh]

Did you enter the data in the Thread Data of the DB you created?

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

If you are in the SW Forum Check out the FAQ section

To make the Best of Eng-Tips Forums FAQ731-376

 

[charbroil]

No I didn’t, SBaugh. All the information in the Thread Data table was carried over from the original Helicoil-Inch standard. I didn’t think it was necessary to change any info there. Obviously I was mistaken. Back to the drawing board.

"I'm gonna go get the papers, get the papers."