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general 2D question

general 2D question

general 2D question

(OP)
Our main design guy here is a little old school. He's been working with ACAD for a long time, but he has really taken to SWx very quickly. But for his conceptual stuff, he still prefers to work out his geometry (linkage lengths, hydraulic cylinders, locating pivot points and all that) in 2D. And really I can't argue with that as our equipment really only operates on a single plane.  And so at the moment he's still doing that in ACAD.

I've not really tried...can you do that kind of stuff effectively in SWx or should he just keep doing what he's doing?

RE: general 2D question

That is actually a great way to work in SolidWorks (just do it in SWx, not ACAD).  You can find references to this technique listed as either "layout sketch" or "skeleton part".

Start by perusing this thread: Thread559-106785

RE: general 2D question

This is from SWx Help on assembly layout sketches:

You can design an assembly from the top-down using layout sketches. You can construct one or more sketches showing where each assembly component belongs. Then, you can create and modify the design before you create any parts. In addition, you can use the layout sketch to make changes in the assembly at any time.

The major advantage of designing an assembly using a layout sketch is that if you change the layout sketch, the assembly and its parts are automatically updated. You can make changes quickly, and in just one place.

To use an assembly layout sketch, do the following:

Create a sketch in the assembly in which various sketch entities represent parts in the assembly. Indicate a tentative location for each component, capturing the overall design intent.

Reference the geometry in the layout sketch when you create each component. Use the layout sketch to define the component size, shape, and location within the assembly; make sure that each part references the layout sketch.

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP 2.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NIVIDA Quadro FX 1400
      o
  _`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

Do you trust your intuition or go with the flow?

RE: general 2D question

We still find AutoCAD better for inital concepting, but for what you're talking about I'd first look at this:

http://files.solidworks.com/Implementationguide/BestPracticeGuide/default.htm

Then on the left side select/expand "Assembly" and look at the "Planning Assemblies for Top-Down Design" article, specifically the "Assembly Skeletons" section. The "Assembly Skeleton Layout" sketch (figure 4) can be done at part level too.

FYI, I don't usually do any Top-Down design (so I'd skip that portion).

Ken

RE: general 2D question

Top-Down Design is for the more experienced users so until you need automation design or you get more advanced I would skip it like Ken points out above.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

www.3dvisiontech.com
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
FAQ559-716 - SW Fora Users

RE: general 2D question

Not to be anal but the Skeleton Part belongs to Pro/E's Advance Assembly Extension (AAX).  SWx call this an Assembly Layout Sketch.  PTC might have a trademark on this name.  Anyway, just so we're talking the same MCAD language here.  I also agree with Scott this is an advanced model concept.

Best Regards,

Heckler
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
SW2005 SP 2.0 & Pro/E 2001
Dell Precision 370
P4 3.6 GHz, 1GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NIVIDA Quadro FX 1400
      o
  _`\(,_
(_)/ (_)

Do you trust your intuition or go with the flow?

RE: general 2D question

(OP)
Hey cool! I had no idea. That's good stuff. I just showed him. Now he's all excited!

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