Design iterations with Pro/E 1

[ttx]

Hi,
Can anyone tell me; is it better to perform design iterations on a particular part or assembly using family tables, or is it best to use the "save copy as" feature to create new parts and assemblies-until the design has been frozen?
We don't have a PDM system in place. I don't know if this makes a difference?

 

[selmun]

Tracking Pro/E data, can be something of a nightmare, and can easily get out of hand.

I have worked with PDM solutions, like Pro/PDM and Pro/INTRALINK. For simple vaulting and revsions/issue control I have found them somewhat overkill!!

As your model base growws you are going to need some sort of data control.

There are low end data management alternatives to Pro/INTRALINK. We use DesignDataManager from Concurrent Systems Inc. Does the exact job that we are looking for.

Check out

http://www.csi-seattle.com

 

[Hora]

Hi TTX,

The idea to use a family table is not bad. But if your instances change dramaticaly, then will be very difficult to manage them. You must think to the drawings, too.

There is another method:

You can use "save as" command to create new parts from the originals and then to modify them at your will. Then, create an INTERCHANGE assembly. Assemble all revisions of the parts there. This powerful commnad of PRO/E will help you to control the parts/assemblies until you find the final solution. And you can interchange the parts in your assembly without effort, so you can see very easy "change from" to "change to".

If you never worked with INTERCHANGE assemblies, take a look at it. It will simplify your design steps.

To resume, if you plan to do minor changes tou your parts (dimensions, some holes), go with family tables. But if you plan to commit major changes (like shape), go with the interchange assemblies.



Good luck.

 

[ttx]

Thanks very much to those who replied.
The info is very helpful and much appreciated!

cheers,

JW

Tactex Controls Inc.

 

[atlarson]

An alternative to the techniques listed above is to create a new folder, change to that folder, and perform a <File> <Backup> on your top assembly. This will duplicate all parts and assemblies into that folder. You can then make experimental changes to your design, and if you don't like the results, delete those models and return to the backed up versions. This method is fast, clean, and avoids all of the problems that can arrise when models are renamed. The disadvantage to this method is that you cannot have both versions of your model running in a single Pro/E session, so all but one of the design iterations will have to be trashed eventually.

 

[3dlogix]

If you arusing 2001, then try the Inheritance Feature. This is a great tool to perform design iterations and &quot;what-ifs&quot;.

It is found in the Data Sharing/Inheritance menus. If you need more info on this, let me know. I can post a &quot;how to&quot; on this function.

Steve

http://www.3dlogix.com