Avoiding problems from the start 4

[Medeski]

Hello,

Some background – the company I work for does all of its production drawings in 2d. For main components (shafts, gears, etcetera) the 2d drawings are redrawn in Solidworks for FEA analysis.

While the 2d drawings have been sufficient so far, I think making assembly drawings, keeping track of hole locations (in the 2d drawings someone may move a hole in the front view but neglect to in the side view), checking for interference, and other tasks would be simplified if the part drawings where initially drawn in 3d.

Since I have some free time now, I was thinking of redrawing a machine from part level, and doing one or two assembly drawings as sort of a proof of concept. Since I’m starting from scratch, I’d like to avoid those moments of “I shouldn’t have named all the parts this way” or “If I had initially done it this way it would have saved a lot of time”.

Our current system consists of a drawing list, which contains the parts and a parts list which contains the bolts, washers, other small parts for the components. Each part and assembly has a drawing name, drawing number, and part number. Parts lists have a drawing number also. On the assembly drawings the parts are labeled by part number. The necessary parts list are also listed by drawing number, but the contents are not. I’m sorry if this is confusing. Maybe the chart below will clear things up –

(1)Drawing list
a) Assy
b) Part 1
c) Part 2
d) Parts list
i)nuts and bolts
eg.

(1)Drawing list #1234
a) Fan Assembly, dwg. # 1234
b) Motor, dwg. # 1234, part # xyz
c) Cage, dwg. # 1234, part # abc
d) Parts list dwg # 1234
i) BOLT 1/4-20 x 5/8, qty. 6, part # xyz [for that part]
ii)BOLT 1/4-25 x 5/8, qty. 3, part # abc

So does anyone have any tips on file structures and naming conventions?
Is there a way to automatically generate the POLs?
I'm not sure if I have "Toolbox", does it come standard with Solidworks? If not, is there a library of screws I can download?
If my brother gets married, why is his wife my sister-in-law? Doesn’t that mean he is married to my sister?
Any other tips?

 

[TheTick]

Put all of your hardware in a folder specifically for hardware, so it can be easily found for future projects.

Don't get hung up on "intelligent" file names. The only thing that really matters is that each file name is unique.

Keep your house clean. Don't leave copies of files all over the network. That WILL lead to problems.

WHEN DEMONSTRATION DAY COMES, [!]BE WELL PREPARED![/!] Have your banter down. Be ready in advance for anticipated questions and attacks.

 

[MadMango]

Name your model files (parts and assemblies) by the Part Number, leave the descriptive file names for early development not production. Add revisions to the file name if you don't have an ERP/PLM solution.

Drawings should have the same file name as your models.

File structure on the network is up to you. I've seen everything in one common folder, and I've seen products split into several sub-folders (Common Parts, Hardware, Fasteners, etc).

SW will automatically build your Bill of Material according to what you have in the top level assembly. Things like solder or Loctite and epoxy can be represented with empty part files.

Use Toolbox to create your hardware numbers and save them out as Parts with the file naming convention that your company uses.

Customize your part, assy, and drawing templates. Templates can save a ton of time for routine tasks.

Put everything on the network so others can have the same access.

Most importantly, search these forums and SW Help for all your answers... they are there and here if looked for them!


"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read faq731-376 to make the best use of these Forums?

 

[Medeski]

Great! Thanks for the advice! Can't wait to get started.

 

[Standing]

Both TheTick and MadMango have great advice.

My 2 cents worth.
Use the part numbering system that your company currently is using for production parts.

Unless toolbox has improved over the years I would not use it. Create one screw and copy that to make the others. We started with toolbox screws and one screw would not replace another screw without mate errors.

Have all properties come from the model except for the Drawn By and Drawn Date.

If you do not have your own, use "SW2009-Property Tab Builder". See thread559-236002


Standing
SolidWorks Pro 2009 x64, SP3.0, PDMWorks Workgroup, SolidWorks BOM,
HP xw8600, 64-bit Windows Vista Business, Service Pack 1
Intel Xeon CPU, 3.00 GHz, 16 GB RAM, Virtual memory 166682 MB, nVidia Quadro FX 4600