Here's a part I'm having problems with.

[davidinindy]

It is a vacuum-formed tray to hold cylinderical shaped components.
It's got a lot of geometry, but it is simple drafted diameters, and ribs that have been linear patterned "X" number of times. I created the "inside" shape first, which the toolmaker can roll back to and have the mold itself, then shell it outward to get the "backside". Removing the fillets doesn't help a lot in this case.
I have gone thru all of the "slow performance" threads, checked all of system properties to Solidworks recomendations, checked and tweaked my settings, etc... I still wait for 45 minutes each time I make a minor change to the file for it to rebuild.
If anyone sees a way to create this part while keeping the file size managable, I'd really appreciate it.
{img}

http://groups.msn.com/_Secure/0SAAZ...AynKNAg/tray2.jpg?dc=4675498849472058532{img}

 

[RocketRonnie]

So I made the shell fail in WF by setting it to a value which is impossible. 40 seconds later I get the Failure Diagnostics Resolve Feature Menus - not very user friendly, and probably one main reason why people don't like Pro/E. Still uses the old menu's - why hasn't this been Wildfired yet?

But at least it only took 40 seconds, and then also offers advice where the problem is etc.

 

[SBaugh]

The SW Shell feature as of SW04 offers help in Diagnosing the issue.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
faq559-716 - SW Fora Users

 

[RocketRonnie]

The Shell feature as of Pro/E V14 offers help in Diagnosing the issue:

"Highlighted surfaces are too curved to offset by specified value.
Make a quilt from good surfaces, offset the quilt,
make patches over missing surfaces."

Regards,

RocketRonnie

 

[davidinindy]

SW05 offers help also, but you don't know the shell is going to fail for 20-30 minutes... if you decide to wait.
on other shelled parts, I've shelled it, had it fail, then found where the problems were. Ussually involves small faces, or small radii, or small areas that are to small for the shell thickness. This is just part of my design process.
I don't mind it failing, just can't wait that long.

 

[Dennyd]

Perhaps you could create a shelled segment and then pattern the resulting geometry. This has worked many times for me to either speed things up or to prevent failed features. It sounds like you are encountering both.

- - -Dennyd

 

[davidinindy]

Dennyd... Hey! I never thought of that! I'll have to give it a try. Thanks!

 

[IanC2]

David

In the past with experiencing long rebuilds, I have stopped using the shell command. I know this can be quite labouriuos in generating the part using just patterned cuts and bosses but can be much quicker once done for rebuilds and modifiying.

When think about it solidworks has to go back and check every feature that is created by the shell. And any changes you make to the driving feature.

 

[SBaugh]

Another thought is close to Dennyd's idea. Make one extrusion and offset all the surfaces at the distance you would want the Shell. If the surfaces work then use a "Cut with surface" feature.

That would be a way to test it and cut it at the same time. Then you pattern it.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
faq559-716 - SW Fora Users

 

[davidinindy]

Thanks guys for the tips...
When I get a chance, i'm going to try a couple of these ideas. I'm working on 10 different other projects now, so it'll be a while till I get a chance.