Solid Edge Assembly Protection 1

[kassiek1]

Hi,

I am using SE ST5 and have received request to share assembly files with my Customers in order for them to verify if it will fit their equipment. I fear that they might use the assembly files to view/measure and/or copy the components. Is there any way that I can share these files and protect them or save in a specific format in order to prevent them from measuring up and/or copy part files from the assembly.

Thanks

 

[KENAT]

YOu could try simplified assemblies & parts but I don't have too much confidence that leads to a good path.

For simple geometry you can convert assemblies to a part - but it really does only work with fairly simple geometry.

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[kassiek1]

Thanks for the response, so there is no way that I can give them an assembly and be rest assured that the information is protected?

 

[beachcomber]

Don't give them solid edge format files - even if they use solid edge.
Convert to parasolid or step but turn off anything in the the view that they don't need - for example any internal components.
Also simplify your parts to remove any detail they don't require.
You can then convert just the displayed parts.
You could try re-importing the converted file back into solid edge and creating a single lump.

These days even 3D pdf files can be converted into solid models (by SpaceClaim for example), so there isn't really a way to stop someone creating a model from any 3D data. Just cut down on what you give them if you can.

bc.
Core i5-3570 @3.4GHz , 8GB RAM
Quadro FX4600. W7 Pro 64-bit.

 

[kassiek1]

beachcomber thank you for the response it was my next step to remove the internal design work on the models that way they get the overall envelope which will suffice. I will also give your recomendations a go.
Thanks again.

 

[KENAT]

I'd assumed the generic file format but beach was correct to point it out. The convert only displayed parts is really useful. For situations where you product has a 'shell' of sorts then it can be really helpful for this kind of thing.

Posting guidelines faq731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[kassiek1]

Thanks for all the advice, the logic conclusion was to remodel the components in the assmebly file and remove all critical internal tolerances and clearances. That way they would need to delve into the design criteria of the components fitting together which makes it alot harder to reverse engineer.