Creating models to mimic how products are created in "real" life
Creating models to mimic how products are created in "real" life
(OP)
This is how our company is currently creating models, the want to create models to mimic "real" life...
1. Create a "part file" of the purchased item(s) (raw material).
2. Then insert the parts into an "assembly file" and create a weldment "sub-assembly".
3. Insert the weldment "sub-assembly" into a top-level assembly, and make ALL the machining cuts from within this assmebly file.
This is how they do things in the shop, all parts are assembled and welded together, then they machine the part(s).
I am trying to tell them that by trying to mimic "real" life 100% within SW we are losing capabililties of A LOT of tools. You lose accessability to a lot of the feature tools in assembly files.
My suggestion is...
1. Create a "part file" of the purchased item (raw material), create configs for "Weldment" and "Machining".
2. Insert the parts into the appropriate "assembly file" by selecting the approriate config.
They want traceablility of what parts/materials are used, to be within the model files. I think that this can be accoplished by "renaming" the features to the items "part#".
Any thoughts?
1. Create a "part file" of the purchased item(s) (raw material).
2. Then insert the parts into an "assembly file" and create a weldment "sub-assembly".
3. Insert the weldment "sub-assembly" into a top-level assembly, and make ALL the machining cuts from within this assmebly file.
This is how they do things in the shop, all parts are assembled and welded together, then they machine the part(s).
I am trying to tell them that by trying to mimic "real" life 100% within SW we are losing capabililties of A LOT of tools. You lose accessability to a lot of the feature tools in assembly files.
My suggestion is...
1. Create a "part file" of the purchased item (raw material), create configs for "Weldment" and "Machining".
2. Insert the parts into the appropriate "assembly file" by selecting the approriate config.
They want traceablility of what parts/materials are used, to be within the model files. I think that this can be accoplished by "renaming" the features to the items "part#".
Any thoughts?






RE: Creating models to mimic how products are created in "real" life
Your drawings can identify the necessary details to ensure traceability, there is not a need for the models to conform 100% of the time.
-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Pretty good with SolidWorks
RE: Creating models to mimic how products are created in "real" life
I would prefer to mimic the manufacturing process.
When I design machined parts, I start the model off as a block the encompasses the whole volume of the part, then I remove material. This helps me keep the machining simple, and the part cheap.
For castings and weldments that require subsequent machining, I model the casting or weldment. I create an assembly, I attach the casting or weldment and I do the machining at the assembly level.
RE: Creating models to mimic how products are created in "real" life
SW models and their associated drawings are 3D math data. They are basically definition for parts and assemblies. They have no thing to do with how they are to be made.
ASME Y14 specifically mentions to document a part without specifying manufacturing methods.
With that in mind, my oppinion is whatever is the most efficient (to user and computer), is the way to go to define your models.
By the way, weldments are better handled though weldment part than assembies.
Best regards,
Alex
RE: Creating models to mimic how products are created in "real" life
Dan
www.eltronresearch.com
Dan's Blog
RE: Creating models to mimic how products are created in "real" life
I recognize the idea behind starting with a block and machining down, I think I was even taught that way. I've come to see it as a waste of time. Every face you create and eventually blow completely away is a waste of time, as are most times where 2-3 (or more) features are used to make something that can be done in one.
Model what final geometry you want, make sure it IS machineable (under whatever limitations your shop must work), document it, and let the machinist or programmer build it however works best.
RE: Creating models to mimic how products are created in "real" life
Dan
www.eltronresearch.com
Dan's Blog
RE: Creating models to mimic how products are created in "real" life
I do not see reasons to save bodies out as separate parts. You can always detail any "body" in part drawing with hole wizard (in the top-level multibody). Hole wizards can be done in the multibody.
Best regards,
Alex
RE: Creating models to mimic how products are created in "real" life
Dan
www.eltronresearch.com
Dan's Blog
RE: Creating models to mimic how products are created in "real" life
But a multibody part has no BOM. It only has a cut-list. A body in a multibody part is considered as a partial part, which is not supposed to be reused in any assemblies.
Have a nice weekend and Holiday!
Alex
RE: Creating models to mimic how products are created in "real" life
Dan
www.eltronresearch.com
Dan's Blog