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Do's & Dont's from the Real World
5

Do's & Dont's from the Real World

Do's & Dont's from the Real World

(OP)
I just got a part-time evening gig - teaching SolidWorks at my local technical college. And I'm dang excited about it! I plan to share this site with my students as a valuable resource. My first class is August 23... I'd like to start a list of good & bad practices to incorporate into the class. I want to be able to share what other users are doing & not just my experience.

For example:
-> I have never used an ENVELOPE to select parts in an assembly. I use it as a refernce part for equipment layout & design. Does anybody find it useful as a selection tool?

SolidWorks 2005 SP03.0 / Windows 2000 Professional

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

TateJ,
Congratulations on the gig.  I have often thought that I would enjoy doing something similar.

->concerning your example, I have only used envelopes in a similar situation to what you have described, never for advanced selection.

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

How 'bout using "unfold" vs, "flatten" with sheet metal?

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

That's great to hear TateJ, and sending them the link to this site is good too, but do explain to them, if they ask us to do the homwork for them, they will be redflagged and could be banned from the forum. It's important for students to understand this here.

Best Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

www.3dvisiontech.com
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

(OP)
Good point Scott... I'll pass that along too.
And I'll be checking here for "cheaters"

SolidWorks 2005 SP03.0 / Windows 2000 Professional

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

I've always been disappointed with the quality of SolidWorks users that have come from  specialized classes and community colleges.  I'm hopeful we'll start to see an increase in the quality of students after August 23rd.

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

TateJ,
Congrats on the teaching job. I'm sure you'll do well. One point I would like to make. Make sure that you teach them to view past threads before they ask there questions in our forum. LOL!

Good Luck

Macduff
Colin Fitzpatrick
Sr. Mechanical Designer
macduff's SW page
Inhouse System
Pentium(4)2.80GHz
Ram 1.00 GB
SW2005 Office SP 3.1
Windows 2000 SP4.0
NIVIDA Quadro4 750 XGL

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

One more thing...welcome TateJ's students!

Macduff
Colin Fitzpatrick
Sr. Mechanical Designer
macduff's SW page
Inhouse System
Pentium(4)2.80GHz
Ram 1.00 GB
SW2005 Office SP 3.1
Windows 2000 SP4.0
NIVIDA Quadro4 750 XGL

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

And another thing...A big old star for you for molding young peoples minds.

Macduff
Colin Fitzpatrick
Sr. Mechanical Designer
macduff's SW page
Inhouse System
Pentium(4)2.80GHz
Ram 1.00 GB
SW2005 Office SP 3.1
Windows 2000 SP4.0
NIVIDA Quadro4 750 XGL

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

Many times people learning SolidWorks for the first time at a community/technical college do so because they need the skillset in order to enter/reenter the work force.  I feel many of these people probably have ideas of entering the work force as "designers" right out of the gate.  They may be disappointed to learn that their first job will be completing redline packages or creating 3D models from 2D drawings by rote.

Some reworld expectations will go a long way in the class, along with a solid ASME Y14.5M-1994 and ASME Y14.100-2000 foundation.

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

(OP)
Boy... those may be lofty goals for a little 3d CAD class... But I see your points & I agree.
I view formal education not as the chance to learn everything there is to know... but an opportunity to get a handle on the basics & remember where to look to figure out the rest. If I can get my students to wrap their brains around the basic concepts of sketching, extruding, assembling & designing to accomodate potential changes, then I will meet my goal.

SolidWorks 2005 SP03.0 / Windows 2000 Professional

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

MadMango,

Quote:

They may be disappointed to learn that their first job will be completing redline packages or creating 3D models from 2D drawings by rote.

Those would be called Detailers...

I have some issues with this younger generation calling themselves so called Designers. And I agree whole hearted on the ASME drawing standards along with strengh and materials ASTM/AMS standards, and many others...

Macduff
Colin Fitzpatrick
Sr. Mechanical Designer
macduff's SW page
Inhouse System
Pentium(4)2.80GHz
Ram 1.00 GB
SW2005 Office SP 3.1
Windows 2000 SP4.0
NIVIDA Quadro4 750 XGL

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

(OP)
Mango...

Mostly we call ourselves whatever it says on our company business cards...

Can a 38 yr old still be part of the "younger generation"?

SolidWorks 2005 SP03.0 / Windows 2000 Professional

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

If first job wasn't with slide rule and T-square they call us "younger" generation round here...

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

TateJ,
I didn't mean to insult anyone by my comment and I'm sorry if I offended anyone. I'm just upset by several interviews I made at our company about 6 months ago. Some of the younger (and older folks too ) had stated on there resumes that they were Senior Designers and had no clue about industry standards and practices.

Have a good day, and the best too your students!

Macduff
Colin Fitzpatrick
Sr. Mechanical Designer
macduff's SW page
Inhouse System
Pentium(4)2.80GHz
Ram 1.00 GB
SW2005 Office SP 3.1
Windows 2000 SP4.0
NIVIDA Quadro4 750 XGL

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

(OP)
Not offended at all... just friendly banter :)

SolidWorks 2005 SP03.0 / Windows 2000 Professional

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

TateJ,

   I have started using the envelopes to indicate optical apertures.  These should not appear in the BOM, and envelopes do not appear in the BOM.

   I tried to use the envelope as a selection tool once, and it did not work very well for me.  If I have related components such as a screw, washers and nut, I place them in a folder together.  

DO List

   Make sure you understand how your parametric models are going to update.  Try to anticipate the changes you make as your design progresses.

   When you create new parts while doing top-down design, start the fabrication drawing immediately.  I cannot tell you how many times I have applied tolerances to fabrication drawing earlys on, said "oops!", and went back to re-think interfaces at the assembly level.

   This is a major advantage of 3D parametric CAD.  Back in the days of AutoCAD and drafting boards, I left fabrication drawings for the very last.  Then I said "oops!".

                         JHG

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

Back to the question.....

Make sure you avoid using super complicated sketches.  So many users I've seen, try to cram everything into as little sketches as possible.  I've even seen the initial sketch is the full part, and then they convert entities off that.  The reason they said was to edit everything at once....these type of files can never handle change.

Up front thinking is key to the parts performance and changability.  

I'd also do alot with Parent/child relationships, many people still don't understand it.

How about some filename and configuration convention too.

and the list goes on...

John

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

Also, on the real world list.

This is something that I think we all take for granted, but is something they do not typically teach in the schools:

1. Build assemblies logically, the way they would be built in the real world.  Use sub assemblies if they will be built that way.  
The first job I had after school, had a product line that was manufactured using subassemblies.  However the SW models were a disgrace.  The top level consisted of no subassemblies.  Only parts and mates.  We did however have drawings of the subassemblies.  The drawings were made by creating a configuration in the top assy and hiding all but the necessary components for that subassembly.  We had many subassemblies and all of them were illustrated this way.  Often duplicates of part instances were present in the assembly.  An example would be a hinged door where you want a configuration showing it open and another showing it closed: the proper thing to do would be to have one instance of the hinge and one instance of the door.  The configurations would simply look at a different configurations of the hinge, an open or closed hinge.  This company would have two hinges, one open and the other closed, and two identical doors, one attached to hinge 1 and the other to hinge 2.  Making an auto BOM of this assembly would be a nightmare.  In general poor modelling practices abound.

2.  File management.  The semester long class I had that taught the basics of solidworks made zero mention of file references or the proper way to rename files.  It wasn't until I was at this first job that I was forced to learn about such things as well as the proper way to copy assemblies without mixing up references.  Unfortunately (for me) there wasn't anybody at that job who was familiar with these methods (as evident by their poor modelling practices in the above story).  I learned about these techniques by reading the helps and simply by trial and error.  It would have been nice to have at least been exposed to the proper methods.

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

I have been resposible for teaching new employes the,"basics" of Solidworks at my company. The one thing I found to be a big help, is to be sure that the automatic sketch relations are turned off. This makes the individual create the relations neded to fully define a sketch, and there by better understand how the relationships interact.

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

tidbits...

•Never use a dimension when a constraint will do.

•Merging centerpoints of two sketched arcs makes them permanently concentric.

•90 degrees is not the same as perpendicular unless the measure window actually says "perpendicular".

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

I'm a big fan of layout or control line sketches.  Complex parts endure changes better if they are based off one or two layout sketches that aren't directly assimilated by another feature.  From there, make liberal use of "convert entities".

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

halfmark,
You get a star! Eggcellent point.....!

Macduff
Colin Fitzpatrick
Sr. Mechanical Designer
macduff's SW page
Inhouse System
Pentium(4)2.80GHz
Ram 1.00 GB
SW2005 Office SP 3.1
Windows 2000 SP4.0
NIVIDA Quadro4 750 XGL

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

Congratulations & Good Luck.

My suggestions:-

Most important of all ... teach them how to use the Help files.

Give them a thorough understanding of what is in the [b]Tools > Options{/b] section & how the options therein affect SW.

Show them how to customize the toolbars & add in the "missing", but often used, icons.

I've lost track of how many questions could have been easily answered by a quick check of the above three items.


Making the best use of this Forum.  FAQ559-716
How to get answers to your SW questions.  FAQ559-1091
Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of.  FAQ559-520

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

Quote (SolidsMaster):

I've even seen the initial sketch is the full part, and then they convert entities off that.  The reason they said was to edit everything at once....these type of files can never handle change.
These are known as Control (or Layout or Skeleton or Reference) Sketches &, like TheTick, I use them very often & have found them to actually improve  the stability of complex parts & assys. They also do  help greatly when modifying the part/assy, as all (or most) of the features can be manipulated from one location.
With the inclusion of the Sketch Blocks abilities in SW06, I think you will see a strong shift toward this method.
FWIW, I highly recommend it.


Making the best use of this Forum.  FAQ559-716
How to get answers to your SW questions.  FAQ559-1091
Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of.  FAQ559-520

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

Incontext parts!!!
I have had many a nightmare when trying to modify these types of parts.  I won't realize that the previous owner created the model in context of something else.  When I try to modify, the whole part implodes.  Usually it's easier to just redraw.

Also, referencing the parts to standard planes.  Many a rebuild error was due to a little noticed dimension referencing the sketch in space.

-ejc

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

In-context parts are great for design and development work, but I have found that in-context relations should be removed for standard production work.

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

(OP)
That follows the KISS rule... Keep It Simple Stupid for the next guy who picks up the model. When I was still a little green... I got carried away with putting all the intelligence I could squeeze into a part or assembly. Then - 6 months later - I confused myself trying to edit my own model! I have since then - backed off a good bit. I still use the power of the program when I need it - but I remember that I'm usually the idiot I need to idiot-proof models for.

These are good tips - keep 'em coming...

I'll add one: Never use more MATE than necessary. you can use 3 coincident mates on 3 faces to assemble 2 cubes if you want to & you'll get away with it 99% of the time. But one day a very complex assembly will krap-out & after spending the time - you'll figure this one out too.

SolidWorks 2005 SP03.0 / Windows 2000 Professional

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

Whenever creating parts, such as extruded items and sheetmetal, use "Mid Plane" as the base for extruding.  This can make mating easier in an assembly.

Whenever creating assemblies, if possible, make the "fixed" part centered on all 3 planes; this makes mating easier because several sub-assemblies can be constrained on center planes.

If you have a pattern of holes, create 1 hole and pattern it instead of creating all holes in 1 sketch.  1 line of thinking says that your tree is smaller with all holes in 1 sketch; BUT if you create 1 hole and pattern it, you can make a derived pattern at the assembly level and insert several bolts/screws in 1 shot.

Flores

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

I agree whole heartedly with MadMango's post about the usefullness of in-context parts and the necessity to remove those links before the part moves into production.

Concerning smcadman's post about hole patterns, I prefer to use the hole-wizard.  Within the assembly, patterning the hardware will occur as well.

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

   How about keeping origins, planes and sketches turned off unless you are using them.  

   I just hate it when I insert someone else's assembly into my design and find myself staring at a cloud of origin points.  The usefulness of this feature is significantly reduced.

   Model parts in approximately the colour they will appear in the final assembly.  If you want to differentiate between two parts of the same colour, wiggle the colours just a little.  It makes it so much easier to visualize the final CAD model.

                        JHG

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

Always "ground" the first inserted model of an Assy to the Assy's orgin.

Always "ground" the first sketch of a part feature to the Part's origin.

ground= constrain

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

I always create parts with the origin at the center on the mounting surface. Parts that sit horizontal or are turned on a lathe, are modeled with the origin at the center. This helps with alignment in assy's, importing to CAM, and showing CG.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

Fully define all assemblies. I've seen assemblies blow apart because of something simple like a round part rotating.  This will also make it easier to troubleshoot your assemblies when faced with mate errors.

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

more generic advice...

Use the modelling approach that best suits your design or product.

I see a lot of different and conflicting opinions.  Most are valid in their context.

I do a lot of consumer product design that has different demands than designing machine components.  I need layout sketches to define complex geometry which needs to be carried through to multiple features.  Usually this also requires no mates, everything (except fasteners) modelled with a common origin.

Designing machine tools or simple components doesn't require this kind of approach.  Especially true for parts that are used multiple times or in multiple contexts.

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

more idle preaching from Tick

Don't forget, it's all about the design.

If you need to add sketches to define or control a datum plane, do it.

If you need to define two surfaces to get their intersection, do it (and then use "delete bodies" to clean up).

If you need to draw two sketches to combine in a third, do it.

If you find yourself changing the design for the sake of your CAD program, it's time to get help.

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

Name or describe features in the feature manager tree. This will help six months from now when you need to go back and edit that part. It can help you figure out how you created that goofy feature in the first place.

Uh? What does " [b]Tools > Options{/b] section " mean ?

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

Nameing features looks nice but all you really have to do is pick the model feature and it highlights in the feature manager tree. Although, I do name planes that I create.

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

TDFINC, Tools>Options is directing a person to use the menues in SW.  Click "Tools" in the menu bar first, then click the next available menu selection, "Options".

"I think there is a world market for maybe five computers."
Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

The "[b]Tools > Options{/b]" was a typo. It should have been [b]Tools > Options[/b] so that it displayed emboldened, as Tools > Options


Making the best use of this Forum.  FAQ559-716
How to get answers to your SW questions.  FAQ559-1091
Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of.  FAQ559-520

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

I can't emphasize enough about constraining the first part of an assembly to the origin. We had someone in from a temp agency modeling for a couple months earlier this year. She wouldn't adhere to standards that were set. Being a fairly new company, we had set up standards last fall for the company. I'm now making changes to those models. A lot of times parts were "Fixed" wherever they were inserted without regard for the origin.

Inform your students on drawing details, border & title block features and properties. It makes things easier.

Configurations

Get them thinking ahead. How will this part fit in an assembly? What other parts does it interface with? Add sketch points and lines for alignment if needed because of odd geometry or position. Midplane and centering is good for alignment purposes but is often overlooked in model creation.

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

Outside Solid Works:

1.Work on the 'KISS' principle: Keep It Simple Stupid.
2.Don't assume the shop knows your design intent.
3.------------------
4.Build it as if you were going to buy it.
5.When creating a design, always create a parallel path backup, in case your original falls through.
6.If it doesn’t look right it probably isn’t.
7.------------------
8.Use an engineering team. That way not one person can be blamed for mistakes.
9.Don't be afraid to make decisions, and mistakes.  Mistakes can be fixed, most of the time. Decision is clean cut, easily mended, blended, repaired or removed.  Indecision is ragged edged with loose threads that jam up everything around it.
10.Respect the support people - the drafters, technicians, etc. They can make your job much easier or difficult to the extreme... Never piss off your tech's because if you do, they will pay you back by doing EXACTLY what you tell them to do.
11.Respect people who build your designs and don't hesitate to ask questions. They are a wealth of knowledge waiting to be tapped into.
12.If it works, don't touch it - leave it well alone.
13.If someone says you’re crazy, then you’re probably heading in the right direction.

I have compiled those "guidelines" for myself from the different threads on this site. They belong to different people, I just put them together. I always introduce it to my co-op students, as you can do it to yours.... If you find it useful.
Regards,

A.W.
SW 2005 sp2
P4 3.6GHz 2.00GB RAM
ATI FireGL V7100

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

one more for AWfull's list...

If it's a dumb idea, but it works, it wasn't a dumb idea.

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

AWfull ... what happened to #3 & #7?


Making the best use of this Forum.  FAQ559-716
How to get answers to your SW questions.  FAQ559-1091
Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of.  FAQ559-520

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

I wish I had a better understanding of how to use the configuration manager when I started. Now that I use it effectively my productivity has gone up, and my file sizes have gone down.

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

CorBlimeyLimey,

Here is #3,8:

3.Plan the work; then work the plan.
......
8.Use an engineering team. That way not one person can be
  blamed for mistakes.

TheTick,

thanx for the input... I'll add it to my list if you don't mind. I gave you star for this one.

Cheers,
A.W.

A.W.
SW 2005 sp4
P4 3.6GHz 2.00GB RAM
ATI FireGL V7100

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

TateJ
You listed the Don't
"I'll add one: Never use more MATE than necessary. you can use 3 coincident mates on 3 faces to assemble 2 cubes if you want to & you'll get away with it 99% of the time. But one day a very complex assembly will krap-out & after spending the time - you'll figure this one out too."
 I would like to know your "Do"? or how would you recommend constraining two blocks?

I would also like to add a tibit taught by ScottB. With SW be sure to use planes (not the part surfaces) to design and mate parts (see Scotts website). This is very important esp. with complex in-contexting parts.

See ya'll
DeSim

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

(OP)
2 cubes... is a gross oversimplification of the point... I realize this.
I have many large & complex assemblies & sometimes (not so often anymore) they will "krap-out" on me. And the only consistent solution - when all obvious fixes have failed - has been to look back at the structure of the mates & "loosen" them up a bit. I can't really 'splain' myself better. Just be aware of this & see if your experience will confirm my theory.


Windows 2000 Professional / Microsoft Intellimouse Explorer
SolidWorks 2005 SP04.0 / SpaceBall 4000 FLX
Lava Lamp

RE: Do's & Dont's from the Real World

The method TateJ was referring to as the Do for the two cubes example is to mate them by their edges.  Two mates will solve this rather than three.

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