Stepp files converted to Solidworks

[Duke400ex]

We have received a very very large stepp file from a axle company. We have imported the files through solidworks, but since the files are so big when you go to open the new solidworks file it really bogs down our pc. I was wondering if anyone knew a way of condensing these files or some way of making making them easier to deal with. Thanks

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

You could try running EcoSqueeze on the files, but that is only a temporary fix.

Are you able to add more RAM to your system?

What do you need to do with/to the files once they are converted?

If you are just using the axle assy for location or clearance of other parts, look into using the SpeedPak function.

 

[Duke400ex]

We are in the amusement ride business and we have the axles on our chassis of course. The axles are really too in depth for what we need them for because we don't build them we just order them, we just use the axles for clearances and for the different assemblies. It is just killing our system every time we go to open a assembly that deals with the axles.

 

[macduff]

Where did the step files come from? If they came from a customer or supplier, could you ask the to dumb them down.

Colin Fitzpatrick (aka Macduff)
Mechanical Designer
Solidworks 2010 SP 3.1
Dell 490 XP Pro SP 2
Xeon CPU 3.00 GHz 3.00 GB of RAM
nVida Quadro FX 3450 512 MB
3D Connexion-SpaceExplorer

 

[macduff]

Have the folks sending you the step files to send them separate. That way you can import them and make an assembly. This way you can make your own axle (simplified). have them keep the assembly in the same orgin so the parts drop in place at assembly.

Colin Fitzpatrick (aka Macduff)
Mechanical Designer
Solidworks 2010 SP 3.1
Dell 490 XP Pro SP 2
Xeon CPU 3.00 GHz 3.00 GB of RAM
nVida Quadro FX 3450 512 MB
3D Connexion-SpaceExplorer

 

[macduff]

Have the folks sending you the step files to send them as separate parts. That way you can import them and make an assembly. This way you can make your own axle (simplified). have them keep the assembly in the same orgin so the parts drop in place at assembly.

Colin Fitzpatrick (aka Macduff)
Mechanical Designer
Solidworks 2010 SP 3.1
Dell 490 XP Pro SP 2
Xeon CPU 3.00 GHz 3.00 GB of RAM
nVida Quadro FX 3450 512 MB
3D Connexion-SpaceExplorer

 

[grunt58]

Did SW create an assembly from the step file? If so save that SW assem as a part file and only save exterior components.

Certified SolidWorks Associate
SW2009 X64 SP 1.0
Dell Precision T5400
Nvidia Quadro FX 5600
Xeon 2.5GHz Quad Core, 4GB RAM
XP Pro X64 SP2.0

 

[Duke400ex]

No solidworks saved the file as a part not a assembly. So that means the speedpak is our of the question.

 

[rollupswx]

No solidworks saved the file as a part not a assembly.

Is it a single solid body or multi-body solid in the sldprt file?

If multi-body you should be able to push out and shrinkwrap.

Sounds like all you need is a form factor of cylinders - you might just create a drawing and then pull some dimensions to create the simplified dummy level of detail that you need in your assembly.

 

[DesignerGuy16]

You can modify the incoming imported geometry with new features to cover up complex geometry that doesn't give you any value.

Delete faces and making simple extrusions/lofts should be plenty.

James Spisich
Design Engineer, CSWP

 

[Nicole6022]

You can also try opening the axels and saving them as parasolid or igs file (as they are much smaller than steps), and insert into your assembly this way.

 

[Duke400ex]

Rollupswx can you explain when you say push out and shrink wrap?

 

[ctopher]

"...when you go to open the new solidworks file it really bogs down our pc."

It wasn't me.

Chris
SolidWorks 09 SP5.0
ctopher's home
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