Fitting things into other things?

[TheFerruccio]

Hey, SolidWorks users, I was wondering: Is there a way I can use SolidWorks to build a container in CAD, and then, with boundary conditions, see whether an object fits inside that container without sticking through the sides? I've been doing some searches, but I have come up empty, since I do not know what category this would fall under.

 

[ctopher]

Have you tried making an assembly? insert it into the container, see if it fits.

Chris
SolidWorks 11
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

One method would be to create a multi-body part using the Insert > Part function and then using the Combine tool with the Common option to show any interfering portions.

 

[TheFerruccio]

So, there's looking at it visually, but, suppose I had multiple instances of smaller objects that I wish to fit inside the bigger object? This is a 3-D "bin packing" problem, in a way. I'd love for the program to determine an optimal position. So, to ctopher, that works if I was eyeing it, but I'm imperfect, and might miss a more optimal solution.

Combine + common actually sounds rather interesting, and I might pursue that. I was hoping for a program to determine a better fit, but I suppose I will just have to eye it.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

What shapes are involved? Rectangles or curvy-swoopy?

 

[TheFerruccio]

The shapes involved, initially, can be described as polyhedrons with very low polygon count. Later on, the "bounding box" might become an annulus of some sort.

 

[Updraft]

I am not aware of a means to optimize component placement, but you can see if parts "fit" by checking for interference. In the assembly go to Tools ==> Interference Detection.

- - -Updraft

 

[JMirisola]

Sounds like you need to optimize the nesting, as it were. Something you could try would be a physical simulation where the parts would fall into the bin and you could do a count. Where it is a physical simulation, your results should vary a bit each time as to the amount of parts that fit in the bin prior to them overflowing. Then, just get the average.
Granted, this may be a PITA to set up, but it'd be a fun way to find out how many fit.

Jeff Mirisola
My Blog

 

[ShaggyPE]

No.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Pretty good with SolidWorks