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Toolbox & PDMWorks Workgroup

Toolbox & PDMWorks Workgroup

Toolbox & PDMWorks Workgroup

(OP)
Is ToolBox an effective "browser" for standard parts when used with PDM? I need to get my brain wrapped snugly around this before I spend a lot of hours implementing it. From my short-time with PDM (about a week) I can tell that it will be a pain in the a$$ to browse for standard parts with the FILE EXPLORER. There has to be a better way.


Windows XP / Wireless Intellimouse Explorer
SolidWorks 2007 SP1.0 / SpaceBall 5000
Lava Lamp
www.Tate3d.com

RE: Toolbox & PDMWorks Workgroup

I don't think I'd call Toolbox a browser, it's more of a creator. Toolbox parts, generally, exist outside of the PDM vault as they aren't revision controlled. Granted, you could change that...
IMO, you should have a central location for toolbox parts so that you don't have to go digging around for them. You can then have your default settings look for said parts in that directory, as well as SW Explorer.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2MB RAM, nVidia 2500M
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

RE: Toolbox & PDMWorks Workgroup

I agree.
Do a search for PDMWorks here. Lots of discussion on it.

Chris
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-27-06)

RE: Toolbox & PDMWorks Workgroup

(OP)
If ToolBox isn't a "browser"... then why does it show up in my DESIGN LIBRARY? I use that to browse for standard parts & assemblies all the time. But maybe I use it differently than you guys. I don't like browsing with the FILE EXPLORER. I add file locations to my DESIGN LIBRARY... much better browsing. I'm beginning to think I need an EASY BUTTON.


Windows XP / Wireless Intellimouse Explorer
SolidWorks 2007 SP1.0 / SpaceBall 5000
Lava Lamp
www.Tate3d.com

RE: Toolbox & PDMWorks Workgroup

It sounds like you may be using it differently. After finding the part or assembly you're looking for, what do you do with it? Do you do repeat searches for the same things?

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2MB RAM, nVidia 2500M
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

RE: Toolbox & PDMWorks Workgroup

(OP)
I simply use it to drag/drop standard parts & standard assemblies into my custom project assembly. So, I don't know how to answer your question about "repeat searches"...


Windows XP / Wireless Intellimouse Explorer
SolidWorks 2007 SP1.0 / SpaceBall 5000
Lava Lamp
www.Tate3d.com

RE: Toolbox & PDMWorks Workgroup

Let's say you often use a 3/8-16 x 1 screw. Do you keep going back into Toolbox for it, or do you have a library of common parts?
Actually, this could all be moot anyway. I work for a manufacturing company where our common parts (screws, nuts, washers, etc.) are used repeatedly across multiple products. Where you're doing custom work, your method probably works best for you...

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2MB RAM, nVidia 2500M
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

RE: Toolbox & PDMWorks Workgroup

(OP)
Hardware (nuts, bolts, washers, screws, ect...) is not an issue here yet. Our BOM's are not nearly that detailed. What I' hoping to find with ToolBox is a better "browser" for standard parts than the FILE EXPLORER. It sounds like I need to keep looking.


Windows XP / Wireless Intellimouse Explorer
SolidWorks 2007 SP1.0 / SpaceBall 5000
Lava Lamp
www.Tate3d.com

RE: Toolbox & PDMWorks Workgroup

TateJ,

    I have toolbox set up here to "Always Create Copies".  You can set this option in the Browser Configuration under Document Properties.  Essentially what happens is that each time a user wants to use a fastener or standard item, toolbox generates the geometry for the item and saves the part file as a distinct and separate copy (outside of the toolbox database).  Jeff mentioned that toolbox is more of a creator than a browser, and I would agree when you have the option set to copy.  I set toolbox up this way for many reasons, some of which may be moot points as improvements have been made to toolbox and PDMWorks.  We use PDMWorks in house and the advantage of creating copies of parts and checking those items into PDMWorks is that PDMWorks becomes our browser.  I have set up folders/projects in the vault for standard items that would have been generated by toolbox.  All users here know that if they need a standard type part, the first place to look is in the vault in our appropriate folders.  If one is not foud there, then they generate and document it correctly, use it in their assembly, and check it into the vault for everyone else to use.  PDMWorks is essentially becoming our toolbox browser.  Another advantage is that we can see all where used information on each standard part.  Toolbox can be set up to be the database of parts using the power of configurations and through the access database that toolbox is working off, but in my opinion this adds a level of complexity in our environment that just doesn't really pay off.  I'd rather have distinct copies of parts that we manage ourselves, rather than through configurations managed through an add-in program in concert with an access database.  There are other downsides to the toolbox methodology that have been slowly addressed somewhat by SolidWorks in past releases.  Back in 2001+ when I implemented SolidWorks and PDMWorks here, the always create copy option was the best way to do all that we needed.  Toolbox was a kludge back then, and in some ways still is.  The methodolgy we have in place here was and still is the cleanest and simplest approach to creating, managing, and sharing standard parts.  Hope what I said makes sense.  I'd be willing to expound a little more if you are interested.

Pete

RE: Toolbox & PDMWorks Workgroup

Excellent post, Pete.
I've been resisting putting toolbox parts into PDMWorks but, after reading your reasoning, I'm going to stop resisting.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
CAD Administrator
SW '07 SP1.0, Dell M90, Intel 2 Duo Core, 2GB RAM, nVidia 2500M
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

RE: Toolbox & PDMWorks Workgroup

I should probably make a FAQ for this.  Its come up quite a few times in the past and I find myself re-typing.  I'll see what I can do.

Pete

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