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Best Toolbox method with PDMWorks?

Best Toolbox method with PDMWorks?

Best Toolbox method with PDMWorks?

(OP)
Hi,

We're just starting to install PDMWorks and are wondering what's the best method for Toolbox parts that don't need revision control.  It appears the recommendation is to not put the parts into the Vault which seems good.  However, I'm a little confused as to whether to set them up as a "Solidworks Toolbox" so it shows up in the Design Library or as a "Standard Library" in PDMWorks so it shows up under the PDMWorks structure.  Or both?  Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Jeff

RE: Best Toolbox method with PDMWorks?

Both. In PDMW, have them as rev "-" (no rev), or whatever revision that is not the same as other rev's you use.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-05)

RE: Best Toolbox method with PDMWorks?

I have a bit of a write up on Toolbox and it includes PDMW.  It's on my website,

http://mysite.verizon.net/mjlombard/

Under rules of thumb, More Toolbox.

It's a bit of a rant, but there is some useful information in there as well (11 pages).

Matt Lombard

RE: Best Toolbox method with PDMWorks?

Those crazy toolbox files!  You've got to keep an eye of them and where they are used.  I know it goes against the intent of toolbox, but we've adopted a system where each faster needs its own file, and it's best to remove all unused configurations (even the default).  This is manageable because we have a decent PLM and good control over fastener descriptions.  It may take a few extra minutes at the start, but potential saves at least that much time in the long run.  I don't recommend this for mechanical intensive companies that use thousands of different fasteners, but from experience, it works well for a small to moderate sized company with only a few (or many similar) core mechanical products.

RE: Best Toolbox method with PDMWorks?

fcsuper,
 We used to do the exact samething as you do. One thing we have run into now that we decide to go with PDM and really use Toolbox as its inteneded is this. Say now you drop a sockethead cap screw 1/4-20 X 1/2 into your assy from toolbox. This assy with fastener reports to an upper assy. In the upper assy you also have a sockethead cap screw 1/4-20 X 1/2, but this was pulled from the folder where you are storing off your own copied hardware file. When you open the upper assy and resolve it, we have found that SW will sometimes give you a message that the internal ID's of such and such parts do not match, do you want to use the one that is already open. This happens because we did not rename the in use config of the copied part, and there are tags on all toolbox parts to identify them as TB parts.

With that said when we run the program C:\Program Files\SolidWorks\Toolbox\data utilities\sldsetdocprop.exe, we trip all of our copied parts to be non-toolbox. Then this error goes away.

So I would advise running that converter on all your copied parts and if you use PDM, just make those parts read only and you will not be prompted to check them in when checking in assys.

Just sharing our pains...

RE: Best Toolbox method with PDMWorks?

I would put them in your Standard library so they are not checked in and out everytime you need an assembly or a new assembly. Keep the TB on the server and don't check those files in or out... my .02 worth.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376

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