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stablizing unglued step import

stablizing unglued step import

stablizing unglued step import

(OP)
I've got a Rev A step file of a component from a supplier. Its a laminated bus bar.  Copper strips, bent copper  tabs, strips on insulation.

It comes into a SW assembly fine as a few sub-assembles, and a few dozen parts, some of which are repeated and some of which are patterned. All the parts are positioned properly, but not fixed or mated.

I know I could save it as a part and everything would be  held in alignment, but I need to replace or modify a few parts like tabs, etc.  

I tried fixing all the sub-assemblies in the assembly with very mixed poor results.  I'm about to re-import it and start nailing it together with mates.

I bet there a smarter way to do this.

thanks

Dan Timberlake

RE: stablizing unglued step import

If you only need to modify/replace a few components, I'd recommend fixing everything except those components.  Any new/modified components can be mated appropriately.

What kind of poor results did you encounter when you tried fixing everything?

RE: stablizing unglued step import

"I tried fixing all the sub-assemblies in the assembly with very mixed poor results."

Can you explain what the poor results were?
Can you not just Float the components instead of re-importing?

cheers

RE: stablizing unglued step import

Perhaps dissolve all the subasms, have all the parts at the top level and fix?

RE: stablizing unglued step import

(OP)
As I recall I went into each subassembly (basically 4 separate layers, some with several strips, and all with bent tabs and inserts. Each strip and each tab is a part) to start modifying and replacing parts as needed. I have such a gentle touch it  took a while to realize I had also shifted some of the parts in the assembly relative to each other and the planes, because none of the parts were  mated.

Then I "fixed" the subassemblies  in the big assembly.
Meanwhile, Back at the ranch, I mean the main assembly, the subassemblies were now fixed out of position, with some of the parts out of position too.  Big mess.

RE: stablizing unglued step import

I'd re-import the step file and fix everything in all levels of the assembly before you do anything else.  Then start massaging the part models as needed.

RE: stablizing unglued step import

(OP)
The Featureworks tutorial uses an *.x_b parasolid part.  I guess I'm stuck with that Step file

RE: stablizing unglued step import

Are you asking a different question?  Your first post has nothing to do with FeatureWorks....

RE: stablizing unglued step import

FeatureWorks will recognize and work on all formats which SW translators support.

cheers

RE: stablizing unglued step import

I work with a lot of step files from numerous CAD programs.  My procedure:

Fix all parts in each assembly, then fix all parts and assemblies up the chain to main assembly.  Never, ever apply any mates prior to a fully fixed step file.  Sorry if you already know this, but you can select all parts and fix them all with one command.

Never open a step file with another step file already open.  Infamous file naming issue, if it doesn't interpret some file names it assigns None##, and you can get previously opened None## inserted in place of your new None## according to its own default coordinates which will be way off.

Mate new designed part to existing fixed one then turn off display of old one, or, suppress or delete old one and fix new part in place.

RE: stablizing unglued step import

(OP)
I said - "The Featureworks tutorial uses an *.x_b parasolid part.  I guess I'm stuck with that Step file."

Then dgowans (Mechanical) said 2 Nov 07 11:24  
"Are you asking a different question?  Your first post has nothing to do with FeatureWorks.... "
 
In between I read the mention of Featureworks on this thread - "v5 -> iges -> Solidworks" and checked out the SW 2007 Featureworks tutorial.

Dan T

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