Top down or Skeleton
Top down or Skeleton
(OP)
Got a new project to create a parametric assembly. 200 or so parts with some sub-assemblies. Question is, top-down.....or the skeleton approach. Any suggestions? I've done some top down in the past but have only played a little with the skeleton approach.
Jason
SolidWorks 2007 SP3.1 on WinXP SP2






RE: Top down or Skeleton
I like top down, but keep in mind it works best for "one of a kind parts in a one of a kind assembly".
If this is not the case you can still use top down, but disable external references.
You can also use equations and have some variables control the critical dimensions.
Yes you can do the skeleton sketch approach, I find it good for weldments.
And finally if your assembly is "configurable" you can use DriveWorksXpress.
cheers,
RE: Top down or Skeleton
Chris
SolidWorks 07 3.0/PDMWorks 07
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 04-21-07)
RE: Top down or Skeleton
One particular product line has ~50 configurations, ~15 sub-assemblies and ~700 total parts.
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RE: Top down or Skeleton
I do this for two main reasons. First, when I need to change the design down the road I only have to to go the layout sketches and make adjustments. This keeps things simplier and less confusing. Second, when changes are made my over all assembly has a higher probability of success (less chance of issues) because it's referencing the layout sketches not the surrounding geometry. If you use a lot of split lines you'll immediately see the benefits of referencing the layout sketches.
Rob Rodriguez CSWP
www.axiscadsolutions.com
www.robrodriguez.com
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/rob_rodriguez/
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SW 2007 SP 2.0
RE: Top down or Skeleton
Yes, skeletons can be used with Bottom Up parts to create hybrid in-context parts (which is my preference), but are they not effectively Top Down type constraints?
RE: Top down or Skeleton
By skeleton I mean a master part file with sketches, planes, axis, etc that is inserted into the component parts. Its likea backwards top down....no assembly required....at least you don't drive it from an assy.
Driveworks xpress may eventually come into play here....but for the current project, I need to just create a parametric sizable assy with parts.
Jason
SolidWorks 2007 SP3.1 on WinXP SP2