Chris' SolidWorks

New Home

2010-10-17T23:09:00.001-04:00

This blog has a new home!

chrislittleford.com

No more posts will be made here. Please visit my new site.

Thanks,
Chris

SolidWorks 2011 Update Meeting

2010-10-05T20:41:00.005-04:00

Today I attended the 2011 update meeting presented by Cimquest in Teaneck, NJ. The event was wonderful. The had several "Break-out" sessions (training sessions) in the morning while they held an update meeting for Mastercam, another product they sell. They also had a Provider Pavilion with many of the providers of software and equipment for use with SolidWorks. Also there were some of their high profile customers with products that were designed with SolidWorks. Orange County Choppers brought two motorcycles and several custom parts. Machine Art also brought a BMW motorcycle with completely redesigned bodywork. Cranking away all day were 3D printers and a 6 axis machining robot.

The first break-out session I attended was for Photoview 360. A few laptops were set up in the front of the room so I grabbed one while I could. We rendered an assembly of a counter top grill and went through many of the steps to change material and backgrounds. If a high quality image is one of your final products, Photoview 360 is the way to go.

My second session was on PDM Works. I use the Enterprise version daily but I still found several good tips for use in PDMW. For those who don't use or even know of PDM Works, it is a data management system that can handle many types of files. Files go through a work flow that the customer designs to fit their needs. All files are locked in a vault when approved and versions of the file are tracked. PDM Works is integrated into Windows Explorer for an intuitive interface and most of the necessary functions can also be performed inside SolidWorks. I learned that associations can be made manually, that it is better to use the New Project function instead of just creating a new folder, and that PDM Works has a notification option that will notify others that a file needs approval. I never took training so I had to pick things up on my own.

The last break-out session was on the add-on 3Dvia. Creating documentation is often a difficult and time consuming process. 3Dvia allows you to use your models and assemblies to create views and exploded views of the models with arrows and notations to explain the views. It is a very powerful tool for creating everything from a simple exploded assembly view to interactive web presentations and videos.

Lunch was served at the Teaneck Marriott at Glenpointe where the expo was and the food was excellent! Cimquest celebrated their 20th anniversary with a slide presentation showing the life of Cimquest and the great family atmosphere they have. Cimquest was the very first reseller of SolidWorks and have been working to make a better product ever since. (Shameless plug for Dave!)

After lunch, finally, the update meeting. Dave Macfie started things off nicely with some information on Cimquest. A few others spoke, including myself on user groups, about various successes with SolidWorks. Then we got into the meat of the meeting. SolidWorks has made a lot of great changes. They started with weld beads in the weldments package.

Weld beads are now a cosmetic feature and work in both parts and assemblies. Because they are cosmetic they are less dependent on actual geometry so they can close gaps and they use less memory and rebuild time. The cut list could always be reordered, however now you can drag and drop line items to reorder them.

Revolve now works to end conditions such as 'up to surface' and 'up to vertex' and 'offset from surface' to allow more flexibility in design.

In drawings the import model items is much cleaner in that it spaces dimensions more intelligently. More dimension organization functionality was added as well. You can also use Free Rotate on you isometric views in the drawing.

Simulation received a new feature, 2D Slice. For many models a thin slice is all that is required to get an accurate analysis. The 2D Slice function allows a tighter mesh and still saves computing time.

Sheetmetal received some updates to the patterning and mirroring functions to make them more robust. A new feature, Bend Calculations, was added. In addition to the K factor, which has always been available but could not deal with bends other than 90degrees, Bend Calculations can deal with all types of bends without entering a lot of data for Bend Allowances and Bend Deductions. It allows you to view and edit the mathematical calculations used to determine the bend radius for flattening parts.

Path Mate Motors can be applied to motion studies to animate assemblies. They are found in the Simulation Motion Analysis package. This is the first time a motor could be applied to a path mate.

Defeature is a new feature that simplifies a model by removing portions of the model you don't want others to see. This is very good for simplifying models for plant design and customer parts. The question still remains as to how much if any gap can be closed between adjacent non-touching parts.

Appearances have been improved and Photoview 360 as well as 3Dvia have now been fully integrated into SolidWorks.

DraftSight is a 2D CAD product available for free download from SolidWorks that creates and edits dwg files.

Jon Hirschtick, founder of SolidWorks spoke to everyone and showed the history of CAD all the way back to 1963. He also thanked everyone for all the input to make SolidWorks what it is today but emphasized the work that still needs to be done in the future.

Pictures:
OCC Bikes

BMW

Jon Hirschtick

6 axis machining

Assorted pieces

Cimquest 20th anniversary cake

New SolidWorks User Groups

2009-04-01T08:34:00.004-04:00

There are three new SolidWorks user groups in the northeast. Northeast Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York (Long Island area)are all working together to cover a region that has been neglected for some time now. The first meeting will be on April 27, 2009 in Northeast PA (details: http://nepaswug.freehostia.com) and New Jersey will follow on May 27, 2009 in Bedminster, NJ. The New York group has not set up a date yet, but it will follow the New Jersey meeting in the Summer or early Fall.

Contact one of the leaders if you would like to attend or help out.

Paul Lydick, New Jersey (732)995-6718 ( p.lydick@njswug.org )

Scot Hale, New York (718)281-6011 ( shale@leviton.com )

Chris Littleford, NE PA (610)264-6420 ( nepaswug@yahoo.com )

Copy properties from one part to another

2008-12-09T20:50:00.005-05:00

This is the long way around, but it always works and you don't need to buy or download macros or programs.

To copy the file properties from one part or assembly to another, auto create a Design Table (make sure some dimensions are added to the table) under Insert/Design Table... in the part with the properties to be copied.

Close the table and reopen it in a new window (Excel). You will will be prompted to add dimensions and properties. Add all the properties.

When the table opens, copy the properties to a new table and save it.

For your old part that you want to add the properties to, again create a Design Table and add the dimensions.

Copy the property cells into the old part and close.

You can now delete the design table and the properties will remain in the File/Properties... dialog box.

Plant Your Crops

2008-12-06T10:31:00.002-05:00

Lately a lot of people have been coming to me for help with views that have blown up, aren't showing right, or just plain gone missing. Nine times out of ten these views have had crops associated with them. Why are these views going wrong? Bad practices in creating the crop view in the first place. A cropped view is made of a closed sketch where once you select the crop view command everything outside the closed sketch is removed from the view. The closed sketch position is not locked to the view in any way unless you add relations and/or dimensions to lock the crop to your view. If the closed sketch is not locked and the view changes, the crop position can change also which may change you view in ways that are not acceptable.

How do we fix it? Fully dimension and relate your crop sketchs. Design intent must be followed through even to the detailing of your drawings. I know what you're thinking, "Haven't we been beaten with 'Design Intent' enough?" No! You can never stop thinking about design intent. If the details in your crop view can grow, shrink, or change in some way you must design your crop sketch to follow that intent. Usually I just find a closed spline encircling an area that is totaly unrelated to the parts in the view. Splines are fine, but harder to keep related to your parts. A 3/4 box with a single simple spline is better when you can. I understand that spline breaks are pleasing to the eye, but circles and elipses work well too. Relate centerpoints, midpoints, and endpoints directly to part geometry. You can also relate points to geometry outside the crop view.

Dimensions should be used on a crop view if you can't fully define the sketch otherwise. I have heard many arguments against them, 'The dimensions don't go away with the crop.', 'I don't like hiding dimensions because others don't know to look for them later.' and many others. There are several ways to hide dimensions. You or your group or company needs to decide on a standard and stick with it so everyone knows. The simplest is to use the hide function and show hidden dimensions function. It works very well. The other popular way is to create a "No-Plot" layer. Put all information that should not appear on the final plot on this layer. Dimensions from crops and other sketches, construction sketch lines, design notes, and calculation tables are just a few things that can go on this layer but the one thing that should always be on this layer is a large text "Do Not Plot Layer Is On" watermark over the title block. That way if you make a plot and forget to turn the layer off you will see it immediately. This layer can even be added to your templates.

Once your crops are fully defined (planted) you shouldn't have problems with your views related to crops.

Other view problems can include:
- 'Ctrl-Q' rebuild - Those are usually the first words out of my mouth, "Did you Control-Q?"

- Section lines that need to be rebuilt or that are in a position that would create a 'zero-thickness' condition (tangent to an arc edge). Edit the sketch line and fully restrain it as well.

- Section lines that somehow flipped their direction. - I don't see it often, but it does happen.

- Unhide parent views - Sometimes a hidden parent view keeps a child view from updating.

- Lightweight to Resolved - Make sure you have resolved any views that you are having trouble with.

- Overdefined and lost relations in a crop - Major changes to a view can lose relations or cause a relation to become over defined. This usually happens with changes that design intent did not anticipate.

Happy Detailing

OK, so it has been a while....

2008-12-04T09:02:00.002-05:00

Sorry, but I have been working on several things and the blog has suffered for it. To bring you up to date, I am working on a curriculum for a local community college to teach SolidWorks in March. The program will be designed to bring the student to the CSWA level. Also, I have been spending most of my spare time trying to set up a new SolidWorks User Group in my area. A request has been sent to SolidWorks to start the new group and I have a preliminary website ready to go live. I'll make another post when everything is up and running.

00-SolidWorks

2008-10-30T09:22:00.001-04:00

This video is too great not to post.

3D Mouse

2008-10-22T08:40:00.002-04:00

I just got my new 3D space mouse by 3DConnexion. It takes a little getting used to, but works very well. The standard buttons on the SpaceExplorer model that I have are well placed and the preset functions really don't need changing unless you have some specific intents for it. Small adjustments in view angle are easy to make with a little pressure in the required direction. I am still getting used to it, and I even found myself forgetting to use it yesterday, but I'm sure that in time I won't be able to live without it.

3DConnexion has several other models to choose from and I have heard good things about all of them.

Skeleton Modeling Part 2

2008-10-04T21:44:00.003-04:00

It seems that skeleton modeling has been the popular topic here on my blog, so I decided to go into more detail by showing its use in an incontext assembly. The assembly is a two tank filter system using two identical tanks with unique piping. The system is a completely fictional assembly made only for demonstration purposes.

To Begin:
Open an assembly but don't insert any parts. Select a starting plane (top in this case) and insert a 3D sketch. Draw the skeleton for line 1 of the system to include mounting points and tank constraints. I ended the skeleton on the right plane for length constraint.

Next create the skeleton for line 2. Make the vertical tank lines equal to the line 1 lengths to make the tanks identical. Constrain the end point to the right plane again to constrain the length.

The last skeleton is the discharge tee. Add the sketch lines of a reference plane on the vertex where the tank centerlines are.

Once the skeletons are in place, we can start creating in-context parts. First is the tank. The tank is made with a flush mount at the bottom and an extended flange at the top. Insert it on the reference plane.

Using another reference plane through tank 1, insert the feed line 1 and create the pipe run following the skeleton you created earlier. Use a sweep and cut-sweep to create the pipe. Remember, each contour for the sweep must be on its own sketch. Add flanges at each end.

For feed line 2, insert your new component and escape the initial sketch mode. Instead insert a 3D sketch to create line 2 and follow the original skeleton.

Lines 1 and 2 are defined by separate skeletons and those skeletons can be manipulated in the assembly to modify multiple components. Change some dimensions and go from a tall configuration...

to a short configuration.

Drawings can also be updated automatically when the assembly is updated.

Skeleton modeling has many uses. It can be used in small bits to control feature positions in parts, or in more complicated configurations to control multiple features and components. One warning, though, keep your skeletons as simple as you can. Don't try to put too much into one sketch or you could create errors down line.

Good luck and comments are welcome.
Chris

Inserting a Part into a Part

2008-09-29T11:32:00.005-04:00

One of the designers I work with came across a problem and I knew there was a simple solution, but for the life of me I couldn't remember what it was, or rather where it was. My designer needed to add a toolbox item, a nut, to a part. When he added the nut into his part he could position it, but he couldn't change the configuration to the size he wanted. (SW2007) I knew there was a way to do it, but I couldn't remember where the option was. Finally I asked the SolidWorks Forums for help and received it. Janusz Gacek let me know that the configurations are found in the "List External References" link of the RMB menu.

So, here is a quick tutorial on inserting a part into a part and resizing it:

Under the Insert/Part pull-down menu find the part you wish to insert and click Open.

When you set the part into your base part the Locate Part menu comes up and you can position your part the same way you would in an assembly using mates.

Your part will be the size of the last saved configuration. Right click the part and select List External References. Under Configuration Name change the part to the configuration you need. Click OK and your inserted part will re-size.

Z goes UP!!!

2008-09-23T13:46:00.002-04:00

I was reading the SolidWorks forums when I came across a question embedded in another question about setting the coordinate system so that the Z axis points up instead of in and out of the screen/paper. "Why does anybody care?" you ask. Well, not all 3D programs use the same coordinate system as SolidWorks and machinists don't use the same coordinate system. To make a model in the same orientation as another program or to orient it in a manner that will be more understandable to your audience, you need to change the coordinate system of the drawing. You can then save the system as a part template for future use. Here's how:

Start a new part and rename your planes to something that has meaning for you. (XY Plane, XZ Plane, YZ Plane).

Next, click the bottom view from the Standard Views toolbar.

Hit the spacebar to bring up the Orientation box. Single Click *Front (the view should not change) and then click the Update Standard Views (the middle button) of the Orientation box.

If you now view an isometric view you will see the Z pointing toward the top of the screen and Y points into the screen.

To save this as your template go to File/Save As move to the templates directory and rename the file. In the Save As Type box select Part Templates (*.prtdot). You can now use that template to create new parts in the Z-up orientation. This process can also be used to create templates for other orientations as you need them.

SolidWorks 2009 is released!

2008-09-19T06:27:00.002-04:00

I have been working closely with a reseller to develop a program at my local community college and that is where I heard that 2009 had been released. My company has decided to move to 2008 next, and I think it's a good idea not to skip versions, but I hope that they will move to 2009 early next year. Big companies often wait for a service pack or two to come out so they don't have to deal with as many bugs and it gives the IT teams time to make sure the program won't create problems in the rest of the system. In the mean time I hope my reseller will let me play with 2009 for a while.

Migrating to 3D Takes More Than Just Software

2008-08-26T19:02:00.000-04:00

So your company has decided to go to SolidWorks (or any 3D package for that matter). You got your computer upgrades, your software, and your training all completed, but you don't have 100% support from your people. Managers heard one thing, "This will let your people get the work done faster." The designers heard, "Once you really learn to use it. . ." and that's where some of them stopped listening. Some people don't like change. It's just the way they are. They may not want to learn a new software, or they may be afraid of being passed up by newer designers. Whatever the reasons you will most likely run into some type of opposition.

I have heard all the arguments already; "Back in my day...we changed a dimension with an eraser in seconds." "This was supposed to be faster, but it's not." "What do you mean the drawings can't look exactly like AutoCAD? We shouldn't have to change the way our drawings look because of the software." and many more. In many cases they are not entirely wrong. Moving to any new software package has a period of learning curve and a period of adjustment. Building a library of parts in 3D takes time. Is it faster to do the project you have in front of you today in 2D because you have the historical files to draw on and copy from? Yes! Will it benefit you in the future? No!

So how can these comments be addressed to reassure management that they haven't spent thousands of dollars for nothing?
- Tackle them one at a time. An opponent will often lay out several negative claims at once in an effort to overwhelm you and others into thinking there is no way out from under their arguments, so they must be right.
- Take brief notes to collect the opposition's arguments so you don't miss any when you have your chance to respond.
- Understand the argument. If you don't understand what someone is getting at, ask them to clarify their point. If they can't their point becomes lost and you don't need to deal with it.
- When you get your chance to speak don't let others interrupt you. It is acceptable to ask someone to wait their turn when you will be sure to listen intently.
- When opposition comes from multiple individuals, be sure to address each individual eye-to-eye when discussing their issues. It lets them know you were listening and you aren't forgetting about them.
- Don't be afraid to confront unsubstantiated claims directly. "The program crashes all the time." 'All the time? I'm not having that problem. Maybe you have a bad installation. I'll let IT know and we'll get you fixed up if there is a problem.' Any extreme is an unsubstantiated claim. (always, never, can't, won't, only...) Very few things in the world fall into the extremes. Challenge those claims.
- BE POLITE and PROFESSIONAL! No matter how upset others may get, keep your cool. They may be trying to derail you. Use phrases like, "I understand your concerns..." and "You have a valid issue, but..." These phases take away the competition in the situation.

Those are some general rules to any meeting confrontation. Specifically you can argue the points above with these responses:
- "Back in my day..." Yes, when drafting was done on the board we changed a dimension and we were done, but the more changes that got made the less accurate the drawings were and the more errors were made in not following changes through all the affected parts. With 3D modeling we can eliminate that type of problem through proper modeling and interference checking.
- "This is supposed to be faster..." With anything new you have a period of learning and some growing pains. E-mail was not well received at first and many people refused to use it in favor of the good old letter. Now we couldn't do business without it.
- "...can't look like AutoCAD?" This is a good one, but remind them that AutoCAD has the ability to draw things that aren't real. Yes, holes can be rotated up into view, but details can be drawn in unmanufacturable ways as well. In SolidWorks detail and section views are cheep to create. In AutoCAD they are expensive (rated by time to create). Solidworks can show more views of an object faster and more accurately and thus make the drawing more understandable on the manufacturing floor. That is, after all the point of the drawing in the first place.

I hope these tool allow you to effectively make your points and keep your company moving forward.

SolidWorks World 2009

2008-08-07T14:52:00.001-04:00

Check it out HERE!

Green with Envy

2008-08-06T18:14:00.000-04:00

I have been reading all the blogs from the beta testers of SW2009 and I'm envious that I cant try out all the new features. My company is still stuck in SW2007 and might get to 2009 in 2010. Grrrr! The features look good, but I haven't seen much on drawing improvements. I'll keep reading though.

Anyway, I've been honing up on my skills because I was recently asked to discuss a position to teach a non-credit course in SolidWorks at my local community college. They have promised to install the latest version available whenever it becomes available. I would also get to design the curriculum and choose the textbook. I haven't gotten the position yet, but I'm hoping. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

I am now a Certified SolidWorks Professional

2008-08-02T12:44:00.000-04:00

Just this morning I took and passed the CSWP-CORE test and passed. I have been wanting to take the test for some time now, but too many things were getting in the way. Finally I just decided I wasn't going to wait any more. So, I got up early on a Saturday when everyone else was sleeping in and I knew I wouldn't be bothered by interruptions and set myself to work. I finished the test with about 45 minutes to spare, but then I went back and checked my models and my answers and reviewed the things I had done. There are no extra points for finishing early and it often hurts you, so I didn't click the "End Test" button until there were only five minutes left. The rest of the day was spent downloading my certificate and logos and adding logos everywhere. I think I might wallpaper my office with them. I don't know if that will go over with my wife though.

Now to get back to work writing some blog posts. :)

Tolerancing in SolidWorks Drawings

2008-07-30T16:14:00.000-04:00

Gabi Jack has written a very nice article on Shaft and Hole fit tolerances. You can find her blog HERE at Gabi Jack's Blog.

Enjoy.

Skeleton Modeling

2007-11-20T09:10:00.000-05:00

Skeleton modeling is a design method that can be used for both single parts and assemblies. The idea is simple. Draw a skeleton sketch, or several sketches that locates the important surfaces and maybe even the base feature sketch. Once you have located all the important surfaces that sketches will be placed, you can begin building your part. With this concept, you want to use either linked dimensions to your feature extrudes and cuts, or extrude up to next/surface. This way, if your part changes size, you can change the skeleton sketch and your features will adjust their position. You may still need to make detail changes (chamfer or fillet sizes, cut or extrude sizes), but the repositioning work will be done for you.

Start with a basic skeleton on the front plane:

Add another arm on the right plane:

Add your required sketch planes at the endpoints of your arms:

Begin extruding and cutting your features:

Your basic part can now be detailed with flanges or other finishing touches:

When your part changes, the skeleton is changed and everything will adjust:

For an assembly, the process is the same. Make a base sketch at the beginning of your assembly that includes axis' and points placed at insert positions. From there you can place any required planes and begin inserting parts and attaching them to your base sketch as well as to one another. Any changes in the assembly size can be updated in the base sketch. This is a very effective method for companies that create dynamic parts from an assembly model. Some companies have reasons to tie the designer's hands and restrict this practice. My company prefers to hang us in the dungeon by our thumbs.

Back To Basics

2007-11-19T14:33:00.000-05:00

Back to basics:

I think a lot of people forget to discuss the baics thinking that everyone knows them already. New designers are coming on board to SolidWorks all the time and are starting from a clean slate with reguards to the 3D design world. In reading other blogs on the internet, it seems that most bloggers are interested in keeping step with the latest updates and the most innovative developments. While there is nothing wrong with that and, in fact, it is quite nessesary, they are neglecting the beginers. An initial training course only takes the user so far. After the initial training users are often sent on their way to spend countless hours figuring things out and explaining to management why the new great productivity tool is not providing instant results (Been there, done that, have the tee-shirt). I think I would like to start this blog by focusing on sketching, modeling, assembling, and detailing techniques that beginners can use to improve their personal skills.

New Blog

2007-11-15T11:54:00.000-05:00

My name is Chris. I work for an OEM on the east coast. We have been using SolidWorks since 2005. Currently we are using 2007 sp4 with no immediate plans to move to 2008. Our company generally runs one version behind on all software to allow the manufacturers to work out all the bugs. While that may sound like a good idea, it sometimes leaves designers and engineers stuck with problems that have been fixed in later versions. I work, mostly, with large steel castings and fabrications, but I also work with some weldments and sheet metal.

I started this blog to record interesting things I find, document program issues, and to share what I know about SolidWorks. I hope that readers will enjoy what I write and learn something in the process. Thanks for stopping by.

Chris