Imported Parts
Imported Parts
(OP)
Ocasionaly we recieve CAD parts from our customers. These parts can be somewhat complex i.e. dashboards, door panels.
We import these parts into SW and the insert them into our assemblies and design end of arm toolings around them. Importing the files results in surface models that have VERY large file sizes.
Question:
How can we reduce the file size so they don't bog down our machines will in our assemblies? Along with the part/surface model we could have 1000+ other components and this really slows down our machines.
Can we turn it back into a solid? Is there an option when inporting to import as a solid? I have not seen one but its worth asking.
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Thanks.
We import these parts into SW and the insert them into our assemblies and design end of arm toolings around them. Importing the files results in surface models that have VERY large file sizes.
Question:
How can we reduce the file size so they don't bog down our machines will in our assemblies? Along with the part/surface model we could have 1000+ other components and this really slows down our machines.
Can we turn it back into a solid? Is there an option when inporting to import as a solid? I have not seen one but its worth asking.
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Thanks.
Grant
Applications Engineer
SW2006 SP 4.0
IBM InteliStation Pro M
P4 3.4 GHz, 2GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NIVIDA Quadro FX 3000






RE: Imported Parts
what program are the files created in?
what file format are the files save in?
how large are the files when they are recieved?
how large do they become when they are saved in SW?
yes there are usually options to import as solid for step and iges. There are tools to heal surfaces to form solids. 07 works quite well on this. There are lightweight assmebly modes. There are options you can set working in large assemblies. There are ways to limit file sizes, but how LARGE are we talking about?
RFUS
RE: Imported Parts
The solution was to use a service to translate the CATIA files and generate a "solidified" parasolid. (They could do SW but the parasolid worked better.)
The service is Mathdata Services <http://www.mathdata.com>. Contact Mike Roberts and tell him Roland from E.R. Wagner sent you.
The cost was not hard to justify. At the overhead rates I was dealing with, the translation cost easily made up for lost time wrestling with tough models and potential design errors. The following year, external translation services became a line item in our department budget.
http://www.EsoxRepublic.com-SolidWorks API VB programming help
RE: Imported Parts
RE: Imported Parts
I have no idea we get them from our customers. Could be made in any CAD software.
Depends on what the customer saves as or who ever they get the file from. Lots of our customers are small injection molders who don't design the parts just mold them. We're just happy to get something or else we the designers would have to model that part.
The file that I posted a pic of is imported from .igs and is 37 MB saved as solidworks 07 part results in a 38 MB file. Another example is a 35 MB .igs results in a 48 MB SW 07 part file.
Tick
Your best guess on a door panel. How long would it take to run through the translation software?
Hopefully they have a demo.
Thanks.
Grant
Applications Engineer
SW2006 SP 4.0
IBM InteliStation Pro M
P4 3.4 GHz, 2GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NIVIDA Quadro FX 3000
RE: Imported Parts
Grant
Applications Engineer
SW2006 SP 4.0
IBM InteliStation Pro M
P4 3.4 GHz, 2GB RAM
XP Pro SP2.0
NIVIDA Quadro FX 3000
RE: Imported Parts
But really the first step to getting to a solid is when you intially import it. Run the import diagnostics on the file and allow SW to try and repair it. Tools check will show you the rest of the problems afterwards and there you will have to manually repair the model.
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP![[pc2] pc2](https://www.tipmaster.com/images/pc2.gif)
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
RE: Imported Parts
In the first few lines of the files will be info on what the originating cad system is.
Just be sure not to save the file when you are done looking at it.
Here is an example of what you will see in the header section of the file.
This is how you can determine what the originating system is.
Regards,
Anna Wood
SW 2007 SP2.2, WinXP
Dell Precision 380, Pentium D940, 4 Gigs RAM, FX3450
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/solidmuse
http://www.phxswug.com