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thinking about buying SW, am in wood crating biz. good idea?
5

thinking about buying SW, am in wood crating biz. good idea?

thinking about buying SW, am in wood crating biz. good idea?

(OP)
I would like some ideas about whether or not SW is the right application for my (our) work; Wooden custom crating, all sizes. I have a personal edition copy to practice with and need some tips, advice.

RE: thinking about buying SW, am in wood crating biz. good idea?

I think it's a good idea. Then again, if you go to the Pro/E forum, or the UG forum, or the AutoCAD forum, they'd probably say the same thing. SolidWorks will, definitely, get the job done.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog
Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M

RE: thinking about buying SW, am in wood crating biz. good idea?

With a crating business I would think that the aspect of the program that you'd use the most would deal with weldments.  I have set up a decent library of dimensional lumber weldments, and it seems to speed up design.  Plus you end up with a full cut list in the end.  

It's really up to you to determine weather any CAD package is a good investment, though.

Dan

www.eltronresearch.com

RE: thinking about buying SW, am in wood crating biz. good idea?

Questions that should be asked:
What are you currently using to design your crates with?
What short comings are you experiencing with this system?
What gains do you hope to achieve by switching to 3D parametric solid modeling software?

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: thinking about buying SW, am in wood crating biz. good idea?

(OP)
We use AutoCAD, no real shortcomings with it, everyone's fast,  consensus is moving into 3D would provide us with more options as we design, and the FEA option may be an asset.

RE: thinking about buying SW, am in wood crating biz. good idea?

Eltron points out a good feature.  I have also found that the Weldments feature in SW was great for making custom pallets at my last job.

Be aware there are additional costs associated with switching CAD systems.  Computer systems will probably have to be upgraded, training classes, loss of productivity for a few weeks while every learns the new system.  These are generic concerns no matter what software you choose.  In the end I think the benefits will out weigh all of these concerns.  SW is definitely up to the task.

"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?

RE: thinking about buying SW, am in wood crating biz. good idea?

Weldments would probably go a long way.  You could also build a "skeleton sketch" in your assembly that would drive all the lengths of the segments needed for the crates.  Change the sketch (a cube, basically), and all the lengths will automatically update.  It's perhaps a bit more complex than that, but after understanding the basics of driving features with sketches in the context of an assembly--and getting plank spacing figured out--modifications will be fast and accurate.

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

RE: thinking about buying SW, am in wood crating biz. good idea?

2
Most likely reasons for lack of success in 3D transition:
Training
Implementation
Document Control

Get your people trained.
Get your people using the system and putting their training to use.  You may need to hire someone who already has experience.
Get some sort of document control (ideally a PDM system) so your data is not lost or corrupted.

p.s. Don't overuse/misuse configurations.

RE: thinking about buying SW, am in wood crating biz. good idea?

The probability of successful implementation of [u]any[/] new software increases dramatically if its proposed users in accord with the need for it and want to learn how to use it.

Have a good demo created to show them how much easier their jobs will be. Also introduce them to this forum to show them how much fun they can have. wink

cheers

RE: thinking about buying SW, am in wood crating biz. good idea?

It's only fun as long as CBL remains on his meds...watch out if he misses a dose though! poke

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog
Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M

RE: thinking about buying SW, am in wood crating biz. good idea?

rofl

Actually, I'm thinking of changing meds to help me "grow a set" ... any recommendations?

cheers

RE: thinking about buying SW, am in wood crating biz. good idea?

Blimey...
the stuff Im taking is pretty good....help ya grow a set and a half!!

Thanks,

Rip


SolidWorks 2007
SP 4.0

RE: thinking about buying SW, am in wood crating biz. good idea?

... a set and a half???

Wouldn't that make you walk funny?

cheers

RE: thinking about buying SW, am in wood crating biz. good idea?

Uhhh. ..?  elk

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

RE: thinking about buying SW, am in wood crating biz. good idea?

I knew a guy in college who had a set and a quarter...nasty run in with a hockey puck...bugeyed

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog
Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M

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