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
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
What kind of poor results did you encounter when you tried fixing everything?
RE: stablizing unglued step import
Can you explain what the poor results were?
Can you not just Float the components instead of re-importing?
RE: stablizing unglued step import
RE: stablizing unglued step import
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
RE: stablizing unglued step import
RE: stablizing unglued step import
RE: stablizing unglued step import
RE: stablizing unglued step import
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
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