Save As Part - Incorrect Dimensions

[Beggar]

In an effort to convince a supplier to share his SWX files with me for use in my own system layouts, he's expressed concern about his assemblies. I've suggested using the "Save As Part" approach.

He said that they've found that the dimensions are not always faithfully maintained in the translation and that they're working with SWX on it.

Anybody had that experience or heard of same?

(I don't know which version they're using. I believe it's at least 2004 because I sent them some 2004 parts and didn't hear any griping).

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Bring back the HP-15

http://www.hp15c.org

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[SBaugh]

Never heard or seen that before.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[ctopher]

What kind of dims are you looking for within an assembly? You need the dims in the part? If so, why not Zip the assembly and then send to you? Saving an assembly as a part will lose some dimensions associated with the assy.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[Beggar]

Thanks, Scott.

Chris, the issue is that they don't want to share assembly models for fear of me ripping them off.

I'm not referring to "dimensions" in the sense of a SolidWorks dimension but rather in the sense that the distances, diameters, etcetera be identical in the "Saved As" part and the original assembly/part models.

They claim that they're not.

--------------------
Bring back the HP-15

http://www.hp15c.org

--------------------

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Beggar ... maybe signing a non-disclosure aggreement with the supplier may help.

I have never experienced, heard about, read about or seen the dimensional problem.


Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of faq559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions faq559-1091

 

[ctopher]

I agree with CBL, it is the only way to go.
It doesn't matter what kind of file they send you, there is always a way to measure the parts.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[CADGemini]

Could it be that your supplier is not fully defining his assemblies and when he does a "save as" the parts moved.

Otherwise I have never come across this problem. I think signing an NDA is a way to go. We do that here all the time.

Best Regards,
Jon

Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

Solidworks 2006 SP0.0

 

[Beggar]

I've offered to sign an NDA. I also pointed out that I've got tons of his stuff around and if I were so inclined, I'd measure it and knock it off.

Problem is, even with the hardware in front of me, the engineering time required to do it well would render it pointless.

Not to mention that my own ethics wouldn't let me...

I'm of the opinion that they don't know very well how to use SWX and are afraid of what they don't fully understand.

It's just frustrating because I spent close to 3 hours modeling one of their assemblies based on the .DWG that they supplied me. They could've done it for me with a "Save As Part" in about 5 minutes.

Multiply that by the 18 items that I have in my installation and it adds up.

--------------------
Bring back the HP-15

http://www.hp15c.org

--------------------

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Then get tougher with them. Ask them point blank whether they want you to use (thereby promoting & selling) their product ... or a competitors.


Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of faq559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions faq559-1091