usable drawings from solidworks
usable drawings from solidworks
(OP)
hello - my company has had sw for 2 1/2 years now & we just do not seem to be able to get good anufacturing drawings out of sw -
they have scheduled some more training in just drawings a month from now & our manufacturing relies on drawings only for making parts for our machines - i am able to make really good drawings in 2d acad that are just like the drawings i used to make on the board but what i have seen from sw this has not been the case - most of our users seem to just throw dims on a sheet & call it a drawing - weird sections & x-hatch all the same, etc. -will the advanced training cure some of the problems or should we invest our money in a good voctional drafting class instead?? - thank you
they have scheduled some more training in just drawings a month from now & our manufacturing relies on drawings only for making parts for our machines - i am able to make really good drawings in 2d acad that are just like the drawings i used to make on the board but what i have seen from sw this has not been the case - most of our users seem to just throw dims on a sheet & call it a drawing - weird sections & x-hatch all the same, etc. -will the advanced training cure some of the problems or should we invest our money in a good voctional drafting class instead?? - thank you





RE: usable drawings from solidworks
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of these Forums?
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
I have worked, first with Pro-E, and then Solidworks since 1996 and would say 3D solid modeling has changed drafting practice in some ways. The things you saw in the old drafting texts shown as "the true view" vs "the prefered method" are now really no longer followed.
Frank
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
Peter Truitt
Minnesota
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
I call the process "the dimension shot gun".
A few mouse clicks and BOOM all sorts of dimensions, views and sections appear.
Dimension text overwrites features.
Dimensions make no sense with respect to the function of the part.
Dimensions on assembly drawings that can in no way be affected by the process of assembling parts together.
It's not the tool, it's the users. No one knows how to make a good drawing anymore.
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
Of all the 3D CAD systems I've seen the one with the nicest drawings has been Solid Edge however it's still mostly dependent on the user.
The advanced training may help with knowing how to do what you want.
However, you still need to know what you want and communicate this to everyone and have some kind of training (though redline & correct seems the most effective) and then enforce it. The vocational drafting class may help as long as it conforms to whatever standards you work to.
Some things you may be able to fix by changing settings in your templates etc. but not everything.
I was originally brought into my existing employer in part to fix a similar situation. Thankless task.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
i try to enforce the correct ways of making manufacturing dwgs. even to the point of have bought the genium drafting man. myself as a guide but our group has some that are preaching the solidworks line as the only way as opposed to making things the right way - sorry about the long reply but it is difficult sometimes being the old guy - thanks for a shoulder to cry on
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
The design intent appears to be to require that 8 mounting pads be co-planer within 1 mm.
The drawing creator has drawn a line across the mounting pads in two views. Then in each view has pointed a leader at this line and called out "Datum Plane".
Next they have applied a dimension to this line. The dimension is 0 +/- 1.
The drawing will not be approved (yet again).
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
Trying to impose what you think are correct standards without management and preferably most colleagues on board will just make you unpopular.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
I would say co-planar within 2 mm.
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
I agree with the others about the software and operators. My SolidWorks drawings are not absolutely as good as my old AutoCAD drawings, but they are still pretty good. SolidWorks is an adquate drafting too.
I suggest bringing in someone to provide training in GD&T. I don't think most people actualy understand the standards. After that, you are going to have to get your company to implement standards, and then reject the crappy work.
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
Invest time in drafting practices and cut your losses on the non-learners.
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
I agree, the novice engineer/designer/draftsperson these days is woefully ignorant of drafting standards, GD&T, etc. Sitting them down on at a drawing board only slows the rate that they produce garbage.
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
Why does it have to be one or the other? It seems quite possible to ignorant and lazy at the same time.
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
Stupid question we all have forgotten to ask...
What were your manufacturing drawings like before you installed SolidWorks?
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
yet they complain when drawings are bad, parts cannot be machined or fit & ecn's & assembly hours go thru the roof - also we have a bad problem here about getting things done right now just to get them released for manufacture - then they complain again about why sw's is taking so long to make parts - it is a no win situation & management has bought the idea that sw's is going to solve our manufacturing problems when in reality it is just as one poster said - lazy & sub-par work or workers - not my call on that one - too low on the ladder - thank you so much for the info & replies to all - have a great weekend
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."

Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of these Forums?
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
Peer review is much better than self-check, but remember that if you don't have anyone that is very familiar with the standards, mistakes will probably continue to be made. The fact that your drawing quality has gone down leads me to believe that the knowledge is there as far as drafting, you just have to get your hands dirty setting up SW better.
"Good to know you got shoes to wear when you find the floor." - Robert Hunter
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
If the peer is as good or better than you then they'll likely catch things.
If they aren't as good, then chances are they'll only catch really glaring errors, which hopefully even self check the next day would catch anyway.
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
Start with a reminder that the drawing is a contract between you and any vendor that accepts the PO to create the product. Contracts have to be in very precise yet well understood language to hold water legally. The only way to do that is to use and apply the standands (or to create your own standards that are published to your vendor). Otherwise, no symbol on the drawing means anything at all, legally speaking.
Matt Lorono, CSWP
Lorono's SolidWorks Resources & SolidWorks Legion
Follow me on Twitter
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
ht
ht
ht
-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Pretty good with SolidWorks
RE: usable drawings from solidworks
Peter Truitt
Minnesota