possible with SW API? automatic drawing generation

[ryatkins]

I'm looking into the possibilities of automating one of our company's processes. We build a custom product which a salesman will quote. Engineering takes that quote and makes a drawing based on the quote. The drawing is then given to the shop floor to build.

Can this process be automated with SW?

If a sales quote generated by a salesman is converted to a BOM excel sheet, can SW grab this BOM and automatically produce a drawing without intervention from engineering?

Thanks.

 

[APPENG]

Absolutely,

not only can you do that, you can actually automate the part creation, drawing creation, dimensioning and the like..

I can not tell you HOW htis is done but one of my co-workers does this for customers on a regular basis.

Regards,
Jon
jgbena@yahoo.com

 

[APPENG]

I guess i first need to ask are you using 2003 or 2001+ still?

in 2003 there are bi-directional design tables that may be of help, if you hae a part that the basic topology does not change, but the dimensions do.

Otherwise an excel sheet or even a VB form can be used to feed a Visual Basic or C++ executable to "build" your parts on the fly, create drawings and such.

hope that helps you a little Regards,
Jon
jgbena@yahoo.com

 

[macPT]

Yes you can. But I have some questions:

1 - are the different products similar in geometry and in drawing information?
2 - does the input data have a direct link with model properties and dimensions, or should you have to process the input data in order to create the model properties and dimensions?
3 - how well do you know VBA and Solidworks?
4 - how much time (and money) are expecting to spend developing the application?

If the products are similar and you have direct links to model, mabe you can simply create a generic part with an Excel Design Table and create it's generic drawing. The salesman input the information in the design table and print the changed drawing. This is the less time consuming option, but mabe not the optimal.

You can do the same if the data as to be processed (just use cells formula in the DT as you would use in Excel). If the calculation process is more complex mabe you sould have an Excel macro. In the last case you can refine your macro and put buttons, in the Excel sheet, that the salesman can click to process the information and automatically print the drawing.

In the limit you can have a macro whitch, depending on the input data and generated model, can create projected views, seccion views, dimensions, notes,..., but I think this is more a job for someone 100% dedicated to SW development (you should consider this option if this is critical for your company performance).

Regards

 

[dsi]

Like APPENG and macPT have stated, it is most certainly possible. I have completely automated two separate product lines. It has taken a long time and hundreds of thousands of lines of code. I think that macPT hit the nail on the head:

"how much time (and money) are expecting to spend developing the application?"

It should really depend on what you can gain. It may be worth $100,000 of consulting if you could save a hundred engineering hours a week.
DimensionalSolutions@Core.com
While I welcome e-mail messages, please post all thread activity in these forums for the benefit of all members.

 

[ryatkins]

First, thanks for all the replies!


"1 - are the different products similar in geometry and in drawing information? "

We sell a custom product that you can change the configuration of the base product and also add on external parts. With that said, changes in dimensions will not be necessary. Changes in the base configuration and the addition of parts to certain locations based on that configuration will be necessary.


"2 - does the input data have a direct link with model properties and dimensions, or should you have to process the input data in order to create the model properties and dimensions? "

I'm not sure, I don't think so. Did my answer to question 1 answer this?

"3 - how well do you know VBA and Solidworks? "

I am a programmer, but not a VB programmer (yet) and only know a little bit about SW. We are now using SW 2003.

"4 - how much time (and money) are expecting to spend developing the application? "

Our engineers do spend a lot of time processing sales orders instead of creating new drawings or products. This type of thing would be definitely be a benefit for the company. I'm not sure if we would go for a 100k bill though, but you never know

Thanks!

 

[dsi]

ryatkins:

Sorry, I probably shouldn't have thrown out a number like that. Those projects I mentioned have hundreds of parts, dozens of assemblies, and drawings for just about everything. Both of the project were engineer-to-order products with an unlimited number of configurations. One of the programs turns what was an 80 hour engineering project into a simple 4 hour task. I have not seen many who have taken it that far.

Since you are just getting started, you may want to look at creating some smaller tools that can help reduce the amount of time it takes to complete a job. There are plenty of sample (free) macros on the internet that can help get you started. Then, once you get a feel for SolidWorks and VB (or C++) programming, you can take it to the next level.

On the other hand, it sounds like your components are not that complex (not too many parts to make up an assembly). If that is the case, I would highly suggest you first look into Design Tables, as everyone else has already mentioned. They are quite flexible and offer a great deal of automation capabilies, especially with configuration management.

Happy hunting... DimensionalSolutions@Core.com
While I welcome e-mail messages, please post all thread activity in these forums for the benefit of all members.

 

[tstanley]

I saw a demo of a product that works with SW that requires only to fill in a few blanks to create both ass'y and part drawings. Since it is off the shelf it might save development time. It is called DriveWorks.

http://www.driveworks.co.uk/

Anybody have some experience with this?

The demo I saw created a roller conveyor with all the parts. It was supposed to search for existing parts that could be used and to follow rules that the engineer set out in the beginning (eg the number of supports would increase with the length according to the rules).

The software was carried by our local SW reseller.

Tom S.

 

[Bumblebee]

Have you seen DriveWorks? This is exactly what DriveWorks does. Basically an Engineer can build the forms that they want the salesman to fill in. Once the salesman has completed the form(s), then DriveWorks can create BOMS, Quotes, Cutting Lists, 3D Models and 2D Drawings, and its really quick and easy to use. Have a look at

http://www.driveworks.co.uk.

Also, its cheaper than custom programming, and much easier to learn.