Solidworks and configuration Management
Solidworks and configuration Management
(OP)
I have worked at two companies that tried to go from 2D CAD to Solidworks. One thing I've noticed is that the Solidworks techs seem to want to make a part number for everything including a drawing and bill of material entry. They explain that Solidworks needs to have a part number for every part (and this does make sense to me) but I don't necessarily see it replacing the bill of materials. In other words, don't use Solidworks to build a master assembly for the purpose of counting nut and bolts. I have tried to promote some ideas concerning simplified bills of materials, reduced levels in bills, modular product design, and a few things I like from lean manufacturing, but with little success. I should point out that the company I work for is a small fabrication job shop that has one product line and a lot of custom build once only installations. Our product is more structural than it is a machine.
The result has been that they look at me like I don't know anything because I use Autocad, and even worse I'm an engineer, and worse yet I'm a structural engineer. If anyone has some input or observations feel free to jump in. This forum has been very quiet lately and this topic may be an interesting discussion from the standpoint that many small companies are probably trying to make the move into solid modeling now.
Regards,
-Mike
The result has been that they look at me like I don't know anything because I use Autocad, and even worse I'm an engineer, and worse yet I'm a structural engineer. If anyone has some input or observations feel free to jump in. This forum has been very quiet lately and this topic may be an interesting discussion from the standpoint that many small companies are probably trying to make the move into solid modeling now.
Regards,
-Mike





RE: Solidworks and configuration Management
Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716
RE: Solidworks and configuration Management
Thanks for your post. That was fast.
When I talk about the bill of materials I mean the BOM system and item master used by accounting/manufacturing, not the list of parts on the drawing. My concern is that the business system is going to get filled with alot of cut to size parts used in weldments that really could be ignored. In my opinion you don't need to run a job shop the same way as a mass production facility, and you don't necessarily need a part number, part drawing, and work order for everything when you are making weldments.
Hopefully I can get some opinions from others in this type of business.
Regards,
-Mikw
RE: Solidworks and configuration Management
Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716
RE: Solidworks and configuration Management
Regards
RE: Solidworks and configuration Management
I know that we are looking into an addon package for weldments so one way or another we might be addressing this issue. Thanks for the tip.
-Mike
RE: Solidworks and configuration Management
1. We weld tubing together, then add machined parts & such. Solidworks forces us to model the 'weldment', then create another model to add the machined parts. That 'weldment' has to have some kind of part # or name & I think that is the kind of wasted part numbers Mike is referring to.
For example: One line of equipment calls for a length of tubing to be cut to length, holes to be drilled in it, & machined parts & fittings to be attached. Solidworks makes you create a weldment & give it a name/number that you can then use in an assembly. In the 2D world it's pretty easy to show a view of the cut & drilled tubing, add the parts and fittings in another view, & put it all in one drawing BOM. Solidorks makes you create the 'weldment' to which you can add the drilled holes, but if you put the 'weldment' & the assembly on the same drawing you will get a Weldment Cut List & a BOM with independant balloons.
2. We build semi unique projects. Very seldom are 2 projects identical, but most have a lot of common or similar components to previous projects. The frame may be the same as Project A except for taller legs, & the drum may be the same as Project B. Solidworks will let you reuse the drum model & create a configuration of the frame model, but our print # is the project number & we like to put all the drawings for a project in one drawing file. I know of no way to utilize the drawings previously created in the new project.
Mark
RE: Solidworks and configuration Management
So what have I learned in the last 5 months?
I have come to the conclusion that while Solidworks is a powerful tool (as is all solid modelling,) it isn't for everyone or everything. Where I work I estimate that about half of what engineering is doing now could be better done in Autocad, but the proportion would vary for every company. However, the most important lesson I have learned is that the real issue (at least where I work) is not Solidworks (which could be made to work better) but instead the lack of competence of the people implementing the system. It has been forced on engineering by the chief draftsman and the management of the company, with the promise of making everything better. It hasn't. Configuration management, product structure, bills of materials, and management of the shop floor is crucial.
The reason I mention all this is because of my suspicion that this story is unfolding at many other small companies right now. In fact this is the second company I've worked at that has gone through pretty much the same ordeal, and maybe this will help someone.
If there are any comments or suggestions, please jump in.
Regards,
-Mike