Moving an imported plane impossible? 1

[Bouing]

I imported a emn/emp file (pcb) and SW created a plane where it putted all the features (around 400). I have to move this plane and then all features since the board is thicker than modeled.

This plane doesn't have any feature to modify, it is just in space since it is imported or created inplace.

How can I move it so all the 400 features moves?

My other choice is to move the 400 bodies...

 

[ctopher]

Is the question how to move the plane or... how to move the plane with all of the features?
If you want to move the plane, you edit the plane in the feature tree.
If you want the features to move with it, they would need to be some how referenced, or mated, to the plane.
Can you please be more specific. Maybe show a pic? Thanks.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 06/08
ctopher's home (updated Apr 30, 2008)

 

[Theophilus]

You can check Help for how to move/tweak your origin/coordinate system, too, as a possibility.



Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

What did you dream? It's all right--we told you what to dream.
--Pink Floyd, Welcome to the Machine

 

[TheTick]

Can you change the definition of the plane? Right-click the plane and select "Edit Feature".

If you can, change the definition of the plane to something else, like an offset or point-curve. If the plane is at an odd angle, create a 3D sketch firat that allows you to redefine the plane in the same place.

Once you have a new definition for the plane, you can manipulate it.

 

[Bouing]

The plane does not have any edit feature since it is an imported geometry. On this place are referenced around 400 sketch planes (all the pcb components). I'd like to just offset the plane but all tools seems to be used for sketchs, bodies and surfaces.

I did not try to move the plane using a surface tools, hum...!

When I way the plane doesn't have any feature to edit I means if you right click on it there is not "edit feature available to change the definition". It is an imported plane.

Any idea?

Robin

 

[ctopher]

If you have paid SolidWorks subscription, you can download CircuitWorks and import the pcb files. Then you should be able to modify the features.
Do you work for the aerospace giant in Quebec?

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 06/08
ctopher's home (updated Apr 30, 2008)

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Instead of trying to move the plane and all the features, can you simply modify the board itself? Or delete it (cut-extrude) and extrude another of the correct thickness and position.

An image (or the actual imported file) may better explain what you are trying to do.

 

[dgowans]

Bouing,

How did you get the emn file into Solidworks in the first place? I've imported this type of PCB data into SWX (using the CircuitWorks Lite functionality that's included with SWX) and the resultant geometry was not dumb geometry like you get from STEP, IGES, etc. There are no constraints on anything or relationships between components, but all of the features are editable.

If all the component heights are correct and they are placed correctly relative to the PCB, can you not get to a correct model by adding / subtracting material from the non-component side of the board? This of course won't work if you've got components on both sides of the board - then you'll need to get into moving bodies and such.

You could also tackle this by tweaking the output from your PCB design software, such that the information comes into SWX correctly. This may be easier said than done, but it is an option.

 

[Bouing]

ctopher-

I did used the pcb functionnality to import the emn files. I used to work for aerospace giant but I am now self employed and working on many different project doing FEA & complete design.

dgowans-

You're right saying this is not a dumb body. Even if you import it using circuitworks lite, structure is like this: the bottom components are on the front plane and extruded with unconstrained sketch. The top components are on an imported plane that doesn't have any features to edit like distance front front plane or on vertex. This plane is just hanging in the air. The structure is not like they extruded top component from top face of the pcb.

What I did found last week is go into the emn file and modify directly the board thickness to the correct value I needed and then this plane placed itself in the right place. It is a lot easier than moving the 20 bodies I have on one sides (426 total components). This is what dgowans suggested so a star for him.