mastermodel strategy 2

[antran7]

It's nice having one database (the master-model) control features in parts that rely on other parts. In ProE-land, I make a part, usually just curves and surfaces, and reference just that part for everything else (to avoid circular reference, etc...). In ProE-land, one way is make "publish geometry" features in the master-model that references all the relavant things in the mastermodel that a certain part needs.

Here's how I'm trying to do this in Soldworks:

It's all based in modifying the part to get the mastermodel features in assembly, but referencing the mastermodel.

To get a surface body over, I do a surface offset of 0. Then I solidfy, thicken, or cut with it in the part.

For the rest, like planes, sketches, and curves, I just directly use the mastermodel feature while I'm editing the part.

How are ya'll referencing a master part?

 

[Heckler]

You want a skeleton part and SWx doesn't have that option. But their nothing stopping you from creating one of those parts that has all critical datum planes, points and reference sketchs. SWx 2006 comes really close to having that option.

I do not use the Top Down approach because we use the same part in lots of assembies and with multiple users at different levels it just works out better to do Bottom Up design.

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP 4.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NIVIDA Quadro FX 1400
o
_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean that they aren't out to get me.

- Woody Allen

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Here's some info on "Skeletons"

http://www.solidworks.com/swexpress/july/200107_techtip_01.html

http://www.solidworks.com/swexpress/july/200107_techtip_03.html

http://www.solidworks.com/swexpress/sept02/200209_techtip_03.cfm

Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of faq559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions faq559-1091

 

[Heckler]

A

for CBL....great links. I think we should put together a FAQ on this topic. Because Skeleton parts have been a feature in Pro/e for a longtime and is one of many questions a Pro/e user has when starting out in SWx.

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP 4.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NIVIDA Quadro FX 1400
o
_`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean that they aren't out to get me.

- Woody Allen

 

[TheTick]

I've done a lot of hinges that were driven by master sketches at the assembly level.

I just finished an ID project that had common "A" surface definitions shared across many parts. I tried sharing those definitions using library features, but that unravelled and I had to disconnect all the references.

If you want a master part at the top level of an assembly, you can use envelope components to carry the master geometry. Not ompletely analogous to skeleton parts in Pro/E, but it can work in many cases.

I could be the world's greatest underachiever, if I could just learn to apply myself.

http://www.EsoxRepublic.com

-SolidWorks API VB programming help

 

[antran7]

Thanks to all for all the tips.

How are you getting surfaces and surface bodies from the skeleton to the sub-parts? Since I'm doing fairly organic surfacing, I'd rather define all the surfaces and part-lines in the skeleton, and then import them into the sub-parts. That way all the contruction features for the final surfaces are done just once and I insure the the surfaces going to multiple parts are corresponding.

This is where I've been using "offset surface" features to get surface bodies from the skeleton part to the sub-parts. But I'll look around for the "envelope components" function you talked about.

 

[SBaugh]

Heckler,

faq559-1067

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376