WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
(OP)
I have a machining company and we for years have been using 2d cad systems such as AutoCAD, GeneralCAD, etc. Now we are starting to adopt 3d because everybody says it's so much more powerful, etc. I agree it's nice to have a model that you can see and manipulate onscreen... but I see that it almost creates double the work to make the model, then go ahead and create a 2d drawing out of the model, dimension the drawing appropriately, print it out and give it to the machinist to make. It's like doing work twice for one part. You first have to make a model, then make a drawing and dimension the drawing. The import dimensions feature in drawings is terrible, it never puts the right dimensions in the right places, etc. so you manually have to go and insert the right dimensions in the right places.
I know you can feed a solid model through CAM software to program your machine tools but we don't do this. We just machine parts off of 2d drawings.
so my question is, is there a way to make solidworks drawings with an assosiated model just as fast as making a standalone 2d drawing only like we used to do in AutoCAD, etc.? I don't want to significantly slow down my business and spend all day making models then drawings.. I don't have that time or resources available.
I know you can feed a solid model through CAM software to program your machine tools but we don't do this. We just machine parts off of 2d drawings.
so my question is, is there a way to make solidworks drawings with an assosiated model just as fast as making a standalone 2d drawing only like we used to do in AutoCAD, etc.? I don't want to significantly slow down my business and spend all day making models then drawings.. I don't have that time or resources available.






RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
Dan
www.eltronresearch.com
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
Cheers
Greg Locock
SIG:Please see FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
Try creating the model as you would create it in your shop. Start with a lump of 'material' and cut away the unwanted stuff. While doing that, dimension your sketches the way you would like/need to see them on the drawing. The Import > Items function should then work much better for you.
Producing only one or two simple views in AutoCAD could be quicker than using SW, but the more views needed in the drawing the less productive AutoCAD becomes, especially when dealing with sections, details, etc.
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
CBL's suggestion "model as you would create it in your shop" is a real good practice on many levels. Although in some cases that can be difficult.
Depending on your particular situation/need it might be possible to eliminate the "paper" drawings. If the machinist can view the model with the dimensions it may not be necessary to make a paper drawing. You wouldn't be the first to do this. Some think this is the future of drawing/drafting.
Just a thought
Tobin Sparks
www.nov.com
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
As others have said with good modelling practices and experience things will get quicker and easier and it is my belief that almost anything can be modelled as quickly and produce drawings as quickly in 3D as in 2D, but that does cost time and money and for very little gain.
Basically a pencil and paper drawing allows you to program a machine, 2D data lets you use CAD to pick points for drilling etc and use profiles for 2 1/2 machining 3D models allow you to machine directly from a model and are the only way to go if the parts cannot be defined in 2D or involve lots of complicated sections and views.
It does not sound like you want or need 3D so why use it?
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
At first making the transition from 2D to 3D might seem like double work. But as stated, unless you make the most simple of geometry 3D modeling will pay off in the long run with fewer mistakes, and indeed faster 2D drawing creation. But it doesn't happen overnight. Probably takes 6 months on simple stuff to break even on time. For more complex features, assemblies and especially moving mechanisms 3D can pay for itself on the first job.
I have found that some people cannot make the transistion from 2D design to 3D modeling. I would argue, base on my experience, that they actually weren't very good at 2D either. They depend on the experience out on the shop floor to cover where they lacked in 2D design ability.
Training is critically important. Learning how to use a 3D modeling program is a professional endeavor and deserves professional preparation.
Your designers should take to 3D design like a duck to water. But it does take 6 months or so to really start to get efficient and for the next 2 or 3 years after that the really power user stuff is brought into the picture. Even after a couple of years experience your designers will look back at stuff they did in any previous 6 months and shudder when they realized how little they knew.
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
Okay so basically let me give you all some examples of parts I make. This will help to better understand the complexity of the parts (or non-complexity that is) which we machine. Take a look here: http://www
Basically most all of my parts can be made on CNC lathes and 3-axis CNC mills. I do some little 4-th axis rotary table milling as well but not much. I rarely do complex assemblies so I don't often need to do simulation, failure analysis, etc.
What I am finding thus far is that it really all comes down to HOW I make the models. Learning when to use a revolve versus an extrude, etc. things like that. Also, I like the idea of the previous poster to model as if it's actually a chunck of material infront of me that I am machining. I am trying to get good with using refernce geometry, such as planes, point, centerlines, etc. so I can acurately set up for instance an extruded cut on the proper plane. I am trying to stay in the mindset of, well this is how I would need to machine it, so let me try to draw it this way and use extruded, revolved cuts when posible.
I agree most of my parts are really probaby too simple to justify the switch to 3d versus 2d. But what I am finding more and more is that my 2d drawings take more time for people to understand and visualize the actual part. What I love with 3d thus far is that I can actually see the part onscreen, rotate it, cut it apart, etc. This really helps to understand all the details of the part. As a job shop we make THOUSANDS of different custom parts changing things up all the time so it really helps to have a 3d model to look at and say "oh yeah I remember that part".
Where I have just felt let down by the software is in the drawing department with dimensions. A big selling point to me was the fact that I can take my model create views from it in a 2d drawing (which works great) but then automatically insert all the dimensions into the views and the dimensions would be placed where they need to be and where it's good for my machinists. It doesn't do much good to have a dimension imported automatically into the drawing and then look at what or where it is dimensioned and say "I can't set my machine up to measure that dimension in that way!!!" So I find myself not even using the import dimension feature and instead just create my views and manually dimension the views the way I need them to be for machining using the 'smart dimension' tool. This is where it starts to feel like double work for me.
Then often times I find that some work I need to give to another shop when we get too busy and for these times I need to save my solidworks drawing as a .dxf file again putting the dimensions in where the machinist needs them. Now other shops can open the DXF file and pull any dimensions they want (based off my views I created), but wouldn't it be nice if they were able to create MORE views such as section, detail, front, back, etc. if they needed too. Once the file is in .dxf format you are stuck with the views you created originally in soldiworks.
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
A self-executable can also be created from SW which allows others to view eDrawings without even having the program installed.
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
Even if it is different and you're using different configurations you'll find in the long run once you get used to this type of design you'll save a ton of time. We make modified atmosphere packaging machines here, and the tooling used to take 1.5-2 weeks to design, and the documentation was basically hacked together by exporting to autocad (this was in solidworks). Just bad practices. After the growing pains of modeling templates 100% and details 100% for the templates it can take as little as 1 day to design and detail a new tool from scratch.
Pay it forward if you will. Learn the program, learn it's capabilities, and then step back and think of how those will help you. Then implement it over time. You'll never get everything from the start, so just be smart about using templates, reference folder locations, etc. They seem simple, but they aren't, and implemented incorrectly will cause much more hassle then doing it right the first time.
James Spisich
Design Engineer, CSWP
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
I don't know why it does this, maybe so eDrawings can protect the authors content from printing exactly right?
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James,
I looked into the templates and using configurations for similar parts. Problem is, the parts even though they look similar are constantly changing. One part may have the same O.D. but the I.D. geometry may be completely different. So if I already have a fully detailed drawing template and the part I.D. changes, it actually takes me more time to go back into the drawing, create NEW views, moves stuff around, delete dimensions that don't make sense, re-add new dimensions, etc. I found it faster to just create a new 2d drawing. Now if my part was very complex or an assembly, then yes I see that a detailed drawing template may save me a lot of time. But for me this just isn't the best option.
As for using configurations in my models, again, this is good for SOMETIMES, but the vast majority of times my geometry is changing on similar parts so I found maintaining configurations is actually harder and requires more time than just creating a new model again.
Being the job shop we are, we are LUCKY if we have a handful of parts that we make the same exact way each time. All of our parts are custom made to fit into a larger machine to hold different sized items, etc. So basically the part is different just about everytime we make it. Our machinists just basically use one standard drawing of the part and they know what dimensions to change each time they need to make the part over again to fit the new needs of the customer. Otherwise we would have THOUSANDS of drawings and it would become impossible to maintain them all being that we are only a small company with liimited resources.
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
I have found that .dxf files print out correct scale, eDrawings don't.
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
How do they know, by what process?
I agree with these statements 100%, and it is the reason I am concerned for your company. SW is a great tool, but it needs to be applied correctly, in all regards. If it isn't, you'll grow to hate it and distrust all other similar ventures.
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
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RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
James Spisich
Design Engineer, CSWP
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
like CorBlimeyLimey said, use SolidWorks Explorer. There are also a couple other techniques to copy drawings and parts that will all be easier than the method you are using. Like the others have stated, you should be able to use an existing part and drawing save it as a new part, make a couple changes to the model (be it dimensional changes or adding features). When you go to the drawing, the dimensional changes will update without a hitch and you will have to do minimal manual stuff to detail the new features.
-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional
Certified COSMOSWorks Designer Specialist
Certified SolidWorks Advanced Sheet Metal Specialist
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
Copying the part (only parts not assemblies) and the drawing to different directory is a good way to duplicate something quickly. The method you are using via windows explorer and renaming will work, however you are missing a critical step.
When you go to open the drawing we all like to double click the drawing object open, however if you single click the drawing you will see a box labeled "References" click on that and it will show you the current path of the part contained in that drawing and the new path. Odds are they are the same.
Now double click the one on the left and navigate to the renamed part.
Close that dialog box and complete opening up the renamed drawing. With any luck all the dimensions will update to reflect the new part geometry. Any ones that are brown or tan lost there way and will need to be recreated or reattached.
Do not try to copy assemblies with windows explorer unless you pack and go the assembly or drawing.
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
click the "reference" box and edit (slow double click) the model path and file name, select ok (that menu will be updated and close), select "save" and you have:
A new drawing, a new model in a new location.
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
I also agree with CBL.
The 'Reference' box can also work.
One thing I like about SW is that there is more than one way to do things.
Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
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SolidWorks Legion
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
If he is commenting on the difficulty with just creating a drawing do you think it is wise to recommmend using another piece of software?
Often times training someone requires understanding the current process they are using and assisting them with being effective under those methods.
Then and only then slowly show them the benefits of productivity tools geared towards specific products.
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
With practice and training, you will be able to do models and drawings efficiently and will not use ACAD again.
Using the two is not efficient IMO.
Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
The drawing board is still quicker than AutoCAD.
Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
thanks all!
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
Pretty bold statement. I use SWExplorer all the time and prefer it over save as in most situations.
-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional
Certified COSMOSWorks Designer Specialist
Certified SolidWorks Advanced Sheet Metal Specialist
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
I agree.
It's like most applications, if you know how to use it...it will work.
Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
Are you using the Pack and Go functionality of SW Explorer? It will do exactly what you want in far fewer steps then your current method.
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
This eliminates the need to then go in and manually change names, break references, etc. We use it daily and it saves a lot of time.
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
If you use the method I mentioned of copy a "template" part and drawing into a new location, open said part in sw explorer, rename the part, then rename the drawing (this can be done in std windows explorer, because the drawing does not link to anything).
After that you have a totally autonomous new part with already detailed drawing associated with it. Otherwise you have to rename, and then go the extra mile with fixing references. Then hope you didn't accidentally change the original model instead of the new one because you messed up the 2nd step.
SW explorer is the only tool I'll use to update file references. Just get a routine down to using it and you'll be better off for it. It saves tons of time.
James Spisich
Design Engineer, CSWP
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
i'm a younger guy, working at a shop similar to yours. at first, the older guys were resistive to making the switch. they were very defensive and fought it hard. they were on Autocad13 when I came in here back in 2004. but now, they are floored by the speed, accuracy, and the ability to manipulate the drawings based on product families.
we make parts similar to yours. as mentioned above, the thing to do is make an example template drawing and part model for each product family. open the drawing first, do the save as, then open the part from the drawing (right click in one of the views), do a 'save as' on the part, then go back and save the drawing again. in the model, manipulate the revolve or hole sizes and save. do a 'ctrl+q' on the drawing and all the dimensions will auto update. i prefer this method over the 'save as copy' method.
as a side note, i would use the hole wizard as much as possible. down the road, it will make things much easier if you ever are cutting on a water-jet, laser, or use mastercam. we also put a PC out in the shop and showed the machinists how to use Solidworks viewer to spin the parts around.
lastly, i agree with what everyone mentioned above. 3D will be faster once your CAD guys have been working at it for a while. not to mention having the correct 2D sketch ALWAYS because it is based on the model, not some fudged in lines that will come back to haunt you down the road.
good luck. you made the right move.
-michael
RE: WhatÆs the quickest way to make dimensioned machining drawings?
ht
The tookit and its details took me about 1:45 to 2:00 hours to create. This is from the time I recieved the job traveler until I am done with a release to manufacturing control to build.
This includes pulling my part numbers, designing the tool, uploading the pdf's and solid models into our document management sytem and adding the part numbers to our ERP software.
I have maybe 45 minutes in SW time, the rest is just the rest of our engineering processes that we have to manage our work.
The carrier drawing that is in the package is what this tooling creates. I have maybe an hour in design work on that carrier.
We do lots of copy and cloning with modular tooling and families of parts/products.
When I started our conversion to SW from AutoCAD last year, we figured it would take me a year to get our product line (tooling and carriers) in good order and be able to work at the same speed/quicker as our AutoCAD work. I am as quick or better as when we did this in AutoCAD with way less mistakes in the designs.
I am an experienced SW user having worked with it since 2003. We have done all of our other tool and automation equipment design in SW since 2003. Our product line area was the last holdout, with our last designer hanging on to his AutoCAD ways of doing things.
For a company just making the switch, with no real training or experianced SW users on staff it will take time to get efficient.
The benefits are worth it but it takes a major commitment from manangement to stay the course and to take advantage of what 3D CAD can do for you.
We use all of our 3D CAD data downsteam in our CNC's, water jet, laser, QC and on our CMM's. I make renderings of our product to give to our customers and help our sales efforts.
There is many an order/project we would not get if we did not have the ability to work in 3D with solids and SolidWorks specifically.
With some hard work, creative thinking and some perserverance the transition is more then worth it.
FWIW,
Anna Wood
SW2008 SP4.0, Windows Vista SP1
IBM ThinkPad T61p, T7800, FX570M, 4 gigs of RAM
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/solidmuse
http://www.phxswug.com