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Parametric, design table woes... beginner.
2

Parametric, design table woes... beginner.

Parametric, design table woes... beginner.

(OP)
Hi,

This is my first post here. I have learned Solidworks in 2006 and I'm now directly involved with the implementation of Solidworks 2007 (basic) over here at my work. I like it and I've been able to handle templates, simple custom properties and lib feature parts for our company.

What I've done with design table feature is to begin with simple parts such as bearings and sprockets. It is not so bad to work with excel-solidworks once you get to know it and follow the tutorial. Anyways, we want to move to bigger things and this is where my woes begins...

I have an xy-tracking system for a mobile robot base that must move within a room. Basically I will have my x and y rails be modified in relation with the overall room dimensions. I have a couple of sub-assemblies that make-up the general assembly. I want to make a design table in general (main) assembly but I quickly notice that I cant affect my sub-assemblies as a design table only work configurations and annotations - the table doesnt relate with other files (parts sub-ass'ies). I'm surprised a bit by that since I thought it was the foundation of parametric design in solidworks... unless there is another way I do not know of??

I'm a little stuck as to how to proceed and turning to you as to see what can be done. Of course, the simplest way I know is to create a design table for each part and work my way up but then it removes the idea of having an automatic feature doing that for me from one file. I basically want to give a few dimensions in an excel sheet and have my rails be modified down to the parts level as to fit with the room. I think I can manage simple equations and relations. But so far, let say I dont use that and go with a sketch-in-an-assembly appraoch (referenced parts) I'm affraid it will become way too big to handle if we're to go onto bigger projects, like a conveyor system.

Hmmm... any help or tips would help. Is anyone expert enough to help me please? Maybe I'm clear and maybe I'm not, I'm new with solidworks and english isnt my native tongue. Bare with me but feel free to ask for clarity.

Regards,
Nicolas

RE: Parametric, design table woes... beginner.

Perhaps you can use a top-level part to drive your sub-assemblies?  This will take some redesign of assembly structure, but it sounds like it will be worth the work.

Essentially, you create a part that acts as a "skeleton" and insert this into your assembly.  You may only need one sketch in this part to "drive" the other bits of sub-assemblies.  The sketch in this skeleton part can relate to the walls of your room, using dimensions in your sketch.  You can then assign these dimensions to your data table and control the skeleton part.  If you mate your sub-assemblies to this part, changes to the data table will change position for your sub-assemblies (not exactly sure if this is complex enough to help you get what you need).

Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
Reason trumps all.  And awe transcends reason.

RE: Parametric, design table woes... beginner.

(OP)
- I'm new here so I will try to an efficient search next time but thanks for the link. It will help.

- I will check these links thanks. :)

- By skeleton, you mean inserting new parts and/or new assemblies in context with a volumetric part inserted in an assembly? So I have a master part (much like a volume of something), and from a master assembly, I insert new parts or ass'ies and have them change as I change my "volumetric" part. Is that so?

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What I'm looking for, since I'm not an expert at SW, is a general step-by-step way of generating a design from a few dimensions or informations (from equations/formulas). And if the skeleton way is the way I will try it. Is or are there other method(s)?

Thanks!

RE: Parametric, design table woes... beginner.

It depends how variable the assy will be. If there are only 6 different sizes then simple configs of parts controlled by an assy DT should suffice. If it is "infinitely" variable, then something like DriveWorks would definitely be an asset.

If properly planned, the layout sketches, skeletons and "dummy" parts can be used to handle some pretty complex assys.

cheers

RE: Parametric, design table woes... beginner.

jb1234,

   I have done something similar to what you want by drawing a sketch at the top level assembly, and using the sketch to control the geometry of the lower level parts.

                      JHG

RE: Parametric, design table woes... beginner.

(OP)
I have never seen a top-down skeleton typical design. So, right now, it is difficult for me to assess the right way to build this. I've been trying to nail this all afternoon.

What I can do is create new part from an assembly, by having a "ghost" part that I use as a volume from which to create my new parts. At this point, since I've never gone any further with Solidworks design, I can only do one assembly with a few parts referenced by one part. I cant even begin to think how to do that with sub-assemblies.

If only I could get my hands on a video or tutorials like solidworks files. I could work it out. :)

I'm not giving up... lol

Solidworks 2007, SP0.0
Windows XP x64 Pro, SP 1
www.venamachinery.com

RE: Parametric, design table woes... beginner.

Hi jb,
Sorry..I cant help you on this one, but I have a silly question:

You mentioned in yer 1st post about an excell/BOM tutorial that helped you get the nack on Excel/SW.

Could you please tell me where that tutorial is at?

Thanks a lot

Rip

RE: Parametric, design table woes... beginner.

(OP)
Hi Ripper,

In Solidworks Tutorials, the section for Design Table shows you the steps to do a simple part with many different configurations and how to transpose the critical dimensions into a design table. The design table is excel generated. You can either work it from solidworks or outside of it in its own window. What I figured out was what worked for my variables in the case I started a library of parts such as bearings and such.

What I like about it most is you manage one file and you can set it to whichever size you want.

And what I realized is while this feature works out very fine with one part only I'm highly deceived it doesnt perpetrate onto assemblies - where you can manage its parts. It only works within the file. At most, that's what the rule is.

Best of luck to you too!

Solidworks 2007, SP0.0
Windows XP x64 Pro, SP 1
www.venamachinery.com

RE: Parametric, design table woes... beginner.

Thanks to Both!

Rip

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