Understanding Configurations of Assemblies Using Same Parts

[Muqali]

Preface: I'm a newb.

Secnario: You start with an assembly given to you by a customer where you are meant to make modifications to. You begin changing it and adding different configurations of the same basic idea. Each configuation with new and moved parts with different mates.

What I've been doing: Copying the top-most assembly file and modifying it.

Why It Doesn't Work: If I make a change to a sub part that exists in another configuration it makes that change to all configs.

Questions: Do I need to copy all the files with the assembly when I make a new configuration? And if I do that... it's my understanding that the new assembly file will still refer to the parts in the old folder. Would I have to indiviually change how the new assembly file I've copied refers to the new parts I have copied?

Hope this makes sense. It's probably a common problem to those new to the program, I just don't know what key words to search for.

 

[ShaggyPE]

You need to add configurations to the lower level part. Make a change to it and then make the upper assembly point to the different configuration of the lower level part. Alternatively, you could make a new part file (save as) and then have the assembly point to the new part file.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Pretty good with SolidWorks

 

[SnowCrash]

Yes, I just went thru this for a instrument with three variations. I suggest you start with an unmodified assembly as your "000" configuration. Create a "001", "002", "003" of each component. Create a "001", "002", "003" of the assembly where each of the variations uses components of that configuration. I also made an assembly drawing with BOM of the three configurations.

"HTH, WFM"

--
Hardie "Crashj" Johnson
SW 2011 SP 4.0
HP Pavillion Elite HPE
W7 Pro, Nvidia Quaddro FX580

 

[goodtruant]

What if you have an assembly with hundreds of configurations?

I'm also a newb...

I'm drawing a simple wood cabinet with 2 doors. I set up rules, through the configuration publisher, that the cabinet can be a combinationof one of three heights, one of 3 depths, and between 20" and 40" wide (at 1/4" increments).

Do I also have to set up a similar configuration rule for each of the parts involved?

 

[ShaggyPE]

goodtruant,
Are you using DriveWorks Express? It sounds like it though I am not familiar with that utility. Sounds like you are going down the right path, but you may want to create a new thread for your question.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Pretty good with SolidWorks