What are SolidWorks configurations?

[dezzi1]

Sorry for the silly questions but what are solidworks configurations? My sales man gave me a pretty poor explanation of what they were. Do any of you have any literature or good explanations of what they are. I'm told they are something similar to ProE family tables - which was of little help either.

Thanks

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Configurations allow you to create multiple variations of a part or assembly model within a single document. Configurations provide a convenient way to develop and manage families of models with different dimensions, components, or other parameters.

For example you could make a model of a screw & use configurations to show all the different available lengths of that screw. Each config can have different properties assigned to it (part number, material, supplier, cost, etc). This way one model can be used to show multiple variations of a part rather than many individual models.

I suggest you read through the SW Help files & also work through the [/b]Online Tutorials[/b] ... especially Advanced design and Design tables to give you a better understanding of configurations & their uses.



from (the City of) Barrie, Ontario.

I tried sniffing Coke once, but the ice cubes got stuck in my nose

 

[MadMango]

I think [blue]dezzi1[/blue] is shoping for a 3D CAD system, and might not have access to SW help. Some examples may prove useful.

I like to use configurations mainly in my top level assemblies. My models have to articulate, and I am able to create different configs for when the equipment is stowed, deployed, lowered and raised. This is a great help for the applications department of my company.

I create configs of my equipment showing the hydraulic cylinders extending every .50" so I can create kinematic drawings using the Alternate Position view capabilities in drawings.

I also use configs on complicated weldments. I can supress parts in one config to leave some parts visible in the model that have to be welded together first. This can also be used to show the proper order of assembly for use on the assebmly line.

[green]"But what... is it good for?"[/green]
Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, 1968, commenting on the microchip.
Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

 

[aamoroso]

Configurations:

A good example of a part that would use a configuration:

An adaptor plate with a 6" od, 3"id that fits 5 different bolt patterns.

Instead of creating 5 different files, and drawing the entire part 5 different times, in SW you can create 1 model with 5 configurations. Each configuration would have a different bolt pattern. It doesn't have to be as simple as that example, it can get as complicated as you want but thats and easy example of a part with configurations.

We use some models that have over 45-50 configurations. Each configuration can have it's own drawing, it's part number ...

 

[TheTick]

A more classic example of conbigurations: bolts and screws.

Imagine instead of 100 different files for 100 different lengths and diameters of a certain screw type, you have one single file with 100 configurations. Each configuration changes a couple parameters to produce a different size screw.

 

[dezzi1]

thanks for that lads. good explanations!

 

[Heckler]

Dezzi1,

I would say they're similiar to Pro/E's family tables. I'm assuming this sales guy is a Solid Works VAR rep? If that's the case and he can't explain configurations I would look for another reseller because that might an indication of future service. Configurations are extremely important within SWx IMHO.

Best Regards,

Heckler

 

[dezzi1]

So would you consider it to be closer to Simplified representations or Family table Instances in Pro-E?

 

[Arlin]

dezzi1:
Really, SWX configurations replace both Simplified Rep and Family Table features of ProE.

I think SWX configs more closely resemble ProE Family Tables, but SWX configs are much more powerful and versatile. This added power and versatility allows SWX configs to also serve the same purposes as ProE's Simplified Reps, Layers, Behavioral Modeling, and Flexible Components.

 

[ctopher]

Without configs, there would be alot more files to deal with. Configs are a must.

 

[Stripper2]

Here's my latest use of configs.

I have several parts which are rough blanks that have some machining. The rest then happens in the context of the assembly.

Therfore, I have two configurations in the part file: One is the rough part from which a part drawing is created. The second is the part in its finished form as used in the assembly model and drawing.

SWX does permit adding some features at the assy level but the part tools are much more powerful.