What CAD system do you use?

[davidinindy]

I've used Solidworks, and Pro-E and have both at my disposal, although I'm much more adept at SW... To this point, I've done mainly simple 3D modeling of single parts. I'm just starting to get into some mechanical systems design and need to decide which software to use.
What sustems do you use for automation and robotics designs?
We have the basic Pro/E Wildfire, and it doesn't have mechanics. I'd like to be able to move the design thru it;s range of motion and check for interference.
We also have the basic Solidworks package, and it does do some mechanical movements. So, for Wildfire, we'd have to upgrade.
Thanks for the advice.

David

 

[tygerdawg]

You didn't describe your needs, requirements, interaction with clients, and the type of equipment. That's important.

I've used SW to design machinery with single- thru multi-axis robotics. Very nice, very powerful.

I am currently designing a spray painting robot system with material handling using Alibre Design. It's impressive for the price and suffcient for my current needs. I will use SW and RobotWorks to develop robotic spray paths from CAD data.

I don't use animation much to verify designs.

All of the mentioned CAD packages can do standard machine design of orthographic elements (blocks, structural members, etc) of varying degrees of efficiency. Will you be importing complex 3D parts from customers? If so, which format? Will you be sharing designs or collaborating with other parties? These are important considerations.

If you asked this question on the Autodesk Inventor, SolidWorks, Pro-E, SolidEdge, etc., internet discussion groups, then you would create a firestorm of "my choice is the best and you're an idiot for considering anything else" type of flame-throwing comments from the respective user groups. Some poor chump actually asks this type of question every few months or so.

TygerDawg

 

[davidinindy]

I know... That;s why I didn't ask in those forums.
I frequent the SW & Pro/E forums, and know about the "Which CAD system is best?" question.
For now, I'm doing simple assemblies of truck chassis components. I want to be able to move the suspension thru its range of motion and be sure tires won't hit the body, bumpers, etc. There are also some other projects in the works which involve more complicated mechanics. But it still will be levers, gears, etc.
For some reason on Pro/E, I can't select the "connect" button in the Component placement window. I thought this was because we didn't have the module for mechanics, but when I opened the Pro/E Engine Block assembly file, I'm able to move the piston, crank and rod thru it's motions.

David

 

[RocketRonnie]

It's time for you to stop trying to find excuses to not like Pro/E and realise that it can do everything you need. Perhaps some training might help. Pro/E comes with MDX as standard - kinematics. MDO allows you to take the MDX to dynamics, loads, inrtias, frtiction, optimisation etc.