Use for layout? 1

[badgerdave]

I need some help, my company allows customers to add multiple components into one "battery" Currently we have ACAD drawings of each individual unit that get copy/pasted and then sent out for approval.

We've been using SolidWorks for a couple months with individual part design, but are a long way from being able to do entire machine assemblies. However, the higher ups are anxious for us to use the new software so we have to get something similar from SolidWorks.

From what I've heard/read it seems a top down or layout based assembly is what would be really useful.

It sounds like I could have one sketch, change a couple dimensions and then have one unit done that I can add to another and be good to go.

If anyone knows a good tutorial for this or can walk me through, it'd be very much appreciated.

 

[Eltron]

I'm still a bit confused about what you're asking. However, youtube has a bunch of SW tutorials on various help topics.

Dan

http://www.eltronresearch.com

Dan's Blog

 

[badgerdave]

ehhh, yeah, let me re-phrase.

Basically, I have to make a series of cabinets with 4 sides. The sizes of these can change, can I make an assembly and have the 4 sides automatically resize to fit together?

 

[TheTick]

Yes you can.

One method is to have sketches at the top level driving the sizes of your component panels.

 

[badgerdave]

@TheTick

Is that with blocks? I thought I could just insert blocksand set relations with a line in the block and a layout line.



Maybe it's the heat or just because it's Friday, but I'm feeling unusually dense today, please bear with me.

 

[Eltron]

There are many ways to do this. You can look into DriveWorks, design tables, top down design and master modeling techniques.

Dan

http://www.eltronresearch.com

Dan's Blog

 

[drawoh]

...

From what I've heard/read it seems a top down or layout based assembly is what would be really useful.

Top down design is what makes SolidWorks useful.

Create a template assembly with assembly and customer drawings. The assembly drawing should have a BOM. Copy it all out with new filenames, and populate it with the components you want. Your assembly with BOM, and customer drawings update automatically. If your model colours closely match your real part colours, your 3D views captured to JPEG look like the final, assembled product.

Your modeling methods should closely match your manufacturing and final documentation requirements.

Your first attempt at this will not be very good. You must review your methods and procedures, and keep looking for ways to improve. The "do it the same way you did it last time" crowd should be tied up and thrown into a broom closet.

Your process will never be perfect. If nothing else, SolidWorks will introduce new features, and you will want to take advantage of them.

JHG

 

[ctopher]

As Eltron wrote, DriveWorks will work.

http://www.driveworksxpress.com/index.php/community/downloadable-content

Chris
SolidWorks 10 SP5.0
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion