Validating CAD Models
Validating CAD Models
(OP)
CAD ADMINISTRATORS
How do you validate your company's CAD models. (Validate = e.g. fully constrained sketches, no mating errors, etc).
I can't imagine you open every file (unless you work for a small company).
Sometimes this question comes up in audits.
Thank you.
How do you validate your company's CAD models. (Validate = e.g. fully constrained sketches, no mating errors, etc).
I can't imagine you open every file (unless you work for a small company).
Sometimes this question comes up in audits.
Thank you.






RE: Validating CAD Models
This pertains to model and CAD practices. All designs receive full drawing check and design review.
-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Pretty good with SolidWorks
RE: Validating CAD Models
E. Morel
M.E.
RE: Validating CAD Models
Prior to my job being eliminated we were setting up to do in house training for everyone, especially those that were new. One problem I found is that most people that had been using SW for a long time didn't want any more training. Reason being they were used to doing their stuff their way and had no sense of the new features, nor did they care. Management wouldn't push the issue so in the end if Management is not behind you, then its a lost cause before you even get started. However if you have the backing of management due as much training as you can, send them to VAR training if that is an option and get them skilled in the use of SW. As the CAD Admin you should bring them up to speed on the new features as the new releases come out. As for poor modelling practices... when someone would bring me a model\drawing to my attention I would contact the person that designed and and show them what they did wrong, and show them a better way to achieve the some outcome, just faster and less intrusive to get to the end of the design. Of course you have to treat them as a child as some people become defensive. Its a balance of being a Tech support person (I did that for 8 years) and a friend just trying to make them more valuable as a employee.
One thing I did implement was the "Design Checker" when checking in models\drawings. There are a few things that the add-in lacks (like the ability to allow a yes or a no answer), but if you have models\drawings that are specific to a certain standard that you have created, then use it. If you have anything that can go one way or another then I would leave that area out of the "Design Checker". Check it out its a great tool to help hold a standard to your models\drawings.
I always thought being a CAD Admin was my calling, but I guess I was a few years too late for that role. Its better in a small company as I am now, because I get to make this my own design from the administration side versus a large company that had thousands of employees. The prior company I worked for I managed over 200 SW users from all over the country. That alone made it much, much harder. I hope your situation is more localized for you to concentrate you efforts to make your place better.
Hope that helps... kind regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum PoliciesGryphon Environmental
www.2gryphon.com
RE: Validating CAD Models
I have bi-weekly training classes so all users are up to date and work the same.
Chris, CSWA
SolidWorks '15
SolidWorks Legion
RE: Validating CAD Models
http://help.solidworks.com/2014/english/SolidWorks...
http://www.solidworks.com/sw/products/3d-cad/cad-s...
http://blog.cati.com/2014/05/how-to-use-the-solidw...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPSugHJIMRk