Large Assembly Questions
Large Assembly Questions
(OP)
Hello,
Our Problem:
This has been a problem for us for years now. We create many assembly models in the range of 200-300 unique components with the total components being around 800. Assembly model size of 10MB with a Assembly Drawing size of 24MB. We are constantly having issues with the PCs crashing or extremely long load times (sometimes 20-30 minutes). We also use DBWorks and are working over a network. The 3GB switch is also enabled on our machines.
Typical Machine:
Dell Precision 690
Windows XP SP2 32bit
3.00 GHz Intel Xeon (single)
64kb primary memory cashe
4096 secondary memory cashe
Bus Clock - 1333MHz
nVidia Quadro3450 video card
Question:
I know there are many users out there that do much larger assemblies that what we typically do and I would REALLY like to know what they are using to do it. What I would like to know is the following:
Machine Specs:
Working over network or local
PDM system (if applicable)
Typical assembly sizes
Anything else they would be benefical to know.
Thanks in advance for any information or suggestions as I would like to put an end to the pc issues so we can spend more time modeling and less time restarting machines.
BodyBagger
Our Problem:
This has been a problem for us for years now. We create many assembly models in the range of 200-300 unique components with the total components being around 800. Assembly model size of 10MB with a Assembly Drawing size of 24MB. We are constantly having issues with the PCs crashing or extremely long load times (sometimes 20-30 minutes). We also use DBWorks and are working over a network. The 3GB switch is also enabled on our machines.
Typical Machine:
Dell Precision 690
Windows XP SP2 32bit
3.00 GHz Intel Xeon (single)
64kb primary memory cashe
4096 secondary memory cashe
Bus Clock - 1333MHz
nVidia Quadro3450 video card
Question:
I know there are many users out there that do much larger assemblies that what we typically do and I would REALLY like to know what they are using to do it. What I would like to know is the following:
Machine Specs:
Working over network or local
PDM system (if applicable)
Typical assembly sizes
Anything else they would be benefical to know.
Thanks in advance for any information or suggestions as I would like to put an end to the pc issues so we can spend more time modeling and less time restarting machines.
BodyBagger






RE: Large Assembly Questions
Is it the correct type for the machine?
Are all the RAM modules the same?
Have they been checked for function?
Which VC driver?
Is it the latest certified version from SW site?
Was it installed properly? See FAQ's
Is the /USERVA switch used in conjunction with the /3GB switch? http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316739
Were the SW installs performed with the AV disabled?
RE: Large Assembly Questions
Checked for function - not sure how to do this, can you advise on this procedure please?
Most recent VC driver D/L from the solidworks site.
Installed with antivirus and firewall disabled
/USERVA switch - Not sure what this is so I will check the link you provided to verify.
Current assembly statistics shouwn:
[IMG]http:
Thanks
RE: Large Assembly Questions
RE: Large Assembly Questions
Also, to decrease file size you can save the model with all of the parts suppressed. This may speed up load time too. However, you run the risk of mates screwing up when they are unsuppressed.
I would guess that working over the network is what is bogging you down. Have you tried a pack-and-go to put the files on a local machine to test the network?
Dan
www.eltronresearch.com
RE: Large Assembly Questions
Unfortunately we are not allowed to work from the local machines.
Thanks
RE: Large Assembly Questions
moronindividual to show him or her the error of their ways.Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog
Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M
RE: Large Assembly Questions
RE: Large Assembly Questions
Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog
Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M
RE: Large Assembly Questions
Dan
www.eltronresearch.com
RE: Large Assembly Questions
Eric
RE: Large Assembly Questions
Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog
Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M
RE: Large Assembly Questions
htt
Matt Lorono
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA
Lorono's SolidWorks Resources
Co-moderator of Solidworks Yahoo! Group
and Mechnical.Engineering Yahoo! Group
RE: Large Assembly Questions
I know working locally is faster but with a good fast network properly setup, you can get speeds that aren't much slower.
Without a PDM, users working locally on the same stuff is just asking for trouble.
Bodybagger, to test your network speed, try creating a copy of the assembly and all referenced files with SolidWorks Explorer's "Pack n Go". Make sure you add a suffix to all files so it won't go back to the network looking for the originals. Try loading this from your local hardrive and compare it.
Another thing, has all you files in DbWorks been converted to your current version of SolidWorks? If some of the files are last saved in previous versions then they will go through a conversion process when they are loaded with the assembly. Since they are most likely Read-only" and being controlled by the PDM, they don't get saved and you go through this conversion process everytime you open the assembly. Bottom line is its slower and you are waiting on more than just file loading, you are also waiting on the files to convert. The older they are, the worse it is. Like opening 2001 saved files in 2007....it has to convert it through all those in between versions.
Jason
SolidWorks 2007 SP5.0
SolidWorks 2008 SP0.1
WinXp sp2 (32 and 64 bit)
RE: Large Assembly Questions
Try making all parts within the assy lightweight.
Chris
SolidWorks 08 0.0/PDMWorks 08
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 10-07-07)
ctopher's blog
RE: Large Assembly Questions
I used to have that opinion, however experience has taught me a few lessons. Any file accessed over a network connection is significantly slower than that file accessed from the local drive. This is because network speeds are much slower than harddrive speeds, and are compounded with each access attempt. There is no comparison that can defeat this fact, unless the harddrive is 10 years old or something. It is also my personal experience that someone working over a network has a lot more crashes than when not. There a just too many variables to overcome.
The other issues you raise are legit and should be looked into by Bodybagger.
Matt Lorono
CAD Engineer/ECN Analyst
Silicon Valley, CA
Lorono's SolidWorks Resources
Co-moderator of Solidworks Yahoo! Group
and Mechnical.Engineering Yahoo! Group
RE: Large Assembly Questions
Relatively small investment compared to losing one hour every day for a couple of years.
Stefan Hamminga
EngIT Solutions
CSWP/Mechanical designer
Searching Eng-Tips forums
RE: Large Assembly Questions
StefanHamminga -
We do have the 1GB per workstation and 10GB for the server already so at least one thing is right.
ctopher -
Good point, originally our network was setup to virus check all files transferred over the network (including solidworks files). We did recently change it to exclude files with the solidworks extensions.
Gildashard -
You mentioned that you are working over a network and that you are using a 64 bit system. Would you mind listing a more detailed spec on your pc setup (manufacturer, model, processor, RAM, etc), it would be appreciated.
JMirisola -
If using the bottle on them does not work I may turn it on myself as I will have plenty of time to chug-a-lug as the pc grinds away :)))
RE: Large Assembly Questions
At any rate, have you tried opening files locally (using a pack and go) as a test to rule out the network?
RE: Large Assembly Questions
I am going to give the Pack & Go a try this afternoon and see how it goes.
RE: Large Assembly Questions
The specs on the 64bit PC (High End)
Dell Precision 390
E6800 3.93ghz Core 2
4gb ram
Quadro FX 3500 graphics
WinXP 64bit
SolidWorks 2007 64bit
Our Typical SolidWorks PC:
Dell Precision 390
E6600 1.86ghz Core 2
2gb ram
Quadro FX 3500 graphics
WinXP 32bit
SolidWorks 2007
Jason
SolidWorks 2007 SP5.0
SolidWorks 2008 SP0.1
WinXp sp2 (32 and 64 bit)
RE: Large Assembly Questions
Thanks for listing the specs. I must say I did not even know that processor speed was able to go that high (3.93). Is that a factory dell or has it been tweaked?
RE: Large Assembly Questions
I work with companies using all the common CAD programs and towards project completion when high-level assemblies are being brought together all programs generate same issues. Unscientifically, I would say Catia V5 is the worst. All companies seem to adopt IT policies contrary to efficient CAD, and all respond first with more technology infrastructure as the solution. Several companies I work with outsource this end-of-project CAD integration and drawing creation as their solution: the problem goes away when someone else deals with it.
The only solution that works that I have seen numerous times is for final assembly integration and drawings to be performed locally on a dedicated workstation by a specific individual. Also, in all situations, the process takes months.
This is not an ideal 'integrated' approach, consequently no company I've worked with plans for this, some eventually adopt it as last resort. Complicating the impromptu solution is that it's not a nice job so its usually given to a junior, a new hire, a temp: someone without inherent knowledge of the project or company.
I don't know of nor have I seen a real solution. We all know of poor CAD practices that contribute to the problem, so probably pre-project planning for end-of-project CAD integration is the best solution.
RE: Large Assembly Questions
I am with you on opening up files across the network. We also do not work with a PDM and work across the network. The speed difference for us is not much different then working local.
We have a top notch network with IT people who have the network setup well.
For us we do just fine with our setup. So the blanket statement that everyone should work local just doesn't cut it with me. There are no absolutes....
Just one girl's opinion.
Cheers,
Anna Wood
SW 2007 SP4.0, WinXP
Dell Precision 380, Pentium D940, 4 Gigs RAM, FX3450
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/solidmuse
http://www.phxswug.com
RE: Large Assembly Questions
Jason
SolidWorks 2007 SP5.0
SolidWorks 2008 SP0.1
WinXp sp2 (32 and 64 bit)
RE: Large Assembly Questions
RE: Large Assembly Questions
Jason
SolidWorks 2007 SP5.0
SolidWorks 2008 SP0.1
WinXp sp2 (32 and 64 bit)