Very new to Solidworks and I'm not really sure what else I need 2

[apextriggers]

Hi I just got Solidworks 2006 Office Premium. I just started the built in tutorials. I want to build my own simple aluminum parts (no advanced designs). What other programs do I need to have to be able to get a CNC machinist to machine the design? Do I just send them the Solidworks file and thats all most of them need? Can you guys recommend any machine shops that deal with Solidworks files or any help on HOW to find ones that accept them would be great. Any other comments suggestions for newbie's would be great. Also I looked at SolidCAM but I'm not sure what that even does or if I need it. Input on that would be greatly appreciated as well!

thanks,
Paul

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

You are already doing the first step ... the Online Tutorials. Getting official training with your VAR is also recommended but not absolutely necessary. The i-get-it or Solid Professor training modules are also excellent.

As for CAM software, search for local machine shops who can accept native SW files. It will save you much unecessary work.

Check the following link for SW compatible CAM software. Most (if not all) will accept native SW files.

http://solidworks.com/pages/partners/partnerCAMList.html

This link may help find local manufacturers.

http://solidworks.com/pages/partners/mfgnetwork.html

Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[apextriggers]

Wow thank you so much! that mfg list on the SW site was amazing I found tons of companies that can machine in my area. Thanks a ton!

 

[rfus]

Inquire as to what the shop wants. IGES, STEP, Parasolid, native Solidworks files. Send them the the 3d file along with a good dxf and pdf print of the design with dimensions and tolerances...etc. Pack this project up in a .zip or .rar folder. The more complete the package they recieve, the better the quotes usually come in.

Some shops only take prints and don't have 3d CAM packages. They are either not the the 'cutting edge' or just don't run that kind of business. If you have some simple aluminum part with some holes and cuts it can be much easier to have them just make it from the print, and you can find a lot of shops who operate this way.

RFUS

 

[bvanhiel]

A star for rufus. A solidworks model may communicate the geometry, but the drawing is what communicates design intent (tolerances, tapped holes, etc.). For simple parts, a drawing is almost always the better communication tool.

-b

 

[ctopher]

I agree with the others. I have used CAMWorks. Works well.
There are a lot of machine shops that use CAM. Find one and ask which CAM format they require.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-06)

 

[Theophilus]

Check out the SolidProfessor series (just noticed CorBlimeyLimey mentioned this above).

If you just purchased a seat of SW, you should be eligible for the "What's new in SW 2006" package, which is a great way to learn about new features. And since it's all new to you, why not start there anyway? Ask your VAR about that and they should be able to provide a download link for you to get started. SolidProfessor is an excellent video tutorial series I wish I had when I started in 1997.

By the way, you'll probably also be eligible for the "What's new in SW 2007" package as soon as it's available, too (if it isn't already released).

Further videos can be purchased from SolidProfessor if you like the way they teach, in case getting other training is difficult.

When you get the basics under your belt, check out the Links section of this forum to find others' web sites with posted parts. You can download the parts you find and "reverse understand" the part modeling simply by rolling the scroll bar back to the first feature and rolling down your feature manager a step at a time to see how the part was modeled--an excellent way to learn more of the advanced stuff you may need to know on a case-by-case basis.

Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reason trumps all. And awe trumps reason.

 

[SnowCrash]

I have not used this site but I want to try them soon:

http://www.emachineshop.com/

Anyone have experience with them?

--
Hardie "Crashj" Johnson
SW 2005 SP 4.0 (reluctant to change)
Nvidia Quadro FX 1000
AMD Athalon 1.8 GHz 2 Gig RAM

 

[Theophilus]

I heard about those guys, but haven't used them myself either (most of my stuff is plastic, so standard RP technologies are often more practical). I'm interested to see anyone's experience with them, too.

Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reason trumps all. And awe trumps reason.