Breaking link to toolbox parts or better way to manage them?
Breaking link to toolbox parts or better way to manage them?
(OP)
When I use the toolbox to create a fastener, I'll "save as" and check "copy", then insert that copy in my assembly. I've been doing this because I thought it would break the link to the toolbox part but it seems like it doesn't.
The reason I wanted to break the link is recently when I migrated to a new computer with a fresh installation of solidworks, whenever I'd open an assembly with parts created from the toolbox, they wouldn't be found and I'd have to re-create them.
Clearly there's gotta be a better way to manage toolbox parts. What would you suggest?
The reason I wanted to break the link is recently when I migrated to a new computer with a fresh installation of solidworks, whenever I'd open an assembly with parts created from the toolbox, they wouldn't be found and I'd have to re-create them.
Clearly there's gotta be a better way to manage toolbox parts. What would you suggest?






RE: Breaking link to toolbox parts or better way to manage them?
RE: Breaking link to toolbox parts or better way to manage them?
thread559-297460: Reverts back to toolBox version...
RE: Breaking link to toolbox parts or better way to manage them?
RE: Breaking link to toolbox parts or better way to manage them?
Our biggest client has a lot of fasteners (generated in the past by someone else) which are table driven and have part numbers attached to them so generally if I want one, I pinch it from the previous project, save in the current folder and pick the config of it I want. Spiffing.
Trouble starts when I want a 'one-off' or something they don't have drawn - I would like to be able to use the toolbox but I don't trust the generated parts to 'travel' as I've been told there have been issues with them in the past.
If anyone can tell me what the best/correct way to deal with fasteners is, I would be very grateful!
RE: Breaking link to toolbox parts or better way to manage them?
The perviously created parts can also be named the way you like them but you need to add the by clicking on the favorites button, the star with the green plus in it - see attached files.
This will keep a record of all the tool box parts in your working directory and keep a record of what you have done in the actual toolbox history.
You just need to remember that for each new job you have to go into the the tool box coniguration and reset the working directory.
SW 2011 SP 3.0 x64
16 Meg, Quadro 4000
DUAL DISPLAY
Windows 7 PRO x64
RE: Breaking link to toolbox parts or better way to manage them?
SW 2011 SP 3.0 x64
16 Meg, Quadro 4000
DUAL DISPLAY
Windows 7 PRO x64
RE: Breaking link to toolbox parts or better way to manage them?
RE: Breaking link to toolbox parts or better way to manage them?
RE: Breaking link to toolbox parts or better way to manage them?
system options > Hole Wizard/Toolbox > Make this folder the default location for Toolbox components
and turned that off.
Then it seemed like things were going to work, but I opened an old assembly and its drawing with BOM, replaced two of the toolbox components with my saved elsewhere components, went back to the drawing, rebuilt, and the BOM is not updating. Furthermore, when I expand the tree at the left for any of the drawing views and expand the assembly tree, the toolbox components are still showed there! Even though I can switch to the assembly file and in the tree the new components are there!
I really just want to manage our part files the best way. In quickbooks we're assigning a company part number to each part we use in an assembly, and I want to have a part file named with that part number used in each assembly, including hardware. What's the best way?
RE: Breaking link to toolbox parts or better way to manage them?
There is really no need to break the link to Toolbox.
If you set (configure) your Toolbox properly at a network folder where every user can share, you should be able to open any assemblies that reference your Toolbox with any SW work stations.
SW Toolbox does have its issue due to how it manages its security. If fastners are critical to business of your company, you may want to consider assign individual part no. and file for each and every toolbox item. Of course, I assume that you have a PDM or PLM in place.
Good luck!
Alex
RE: Breaking link to toolbox parts or better way to manage them?
I advise going down the 'make virtual' route. I've been using it since CBL gave me a nudge in that direction (read higher up thread) to fine effect. All created components stored within the assembly and you wave goodbye to link issues. Simples.
RE: Breaking link to toolbox parts or better way to manage them?
If you send all 3D math data to your client, you send whatever your client asked for, or whatever you agree to send. You have full control.
Virtual parts in assemblies are more computer resource intensive.
Best regards,
Alex
RE: Breaking link to toolbox parts or better way to manage them?
RE: Breaking link to toolbox parts or better way to manage them?
Please search the following keywords in your SW help menu:
"Search Routine for Referenced Documents"
If you fully understand this, you will know why you have this issue.
Best regards,
Alex