What file format will allow my assemblies to have movements?

[HeavenlySolid]

What file format will allow my assemblies to have movements?

I received an IGES file from my supplier for a Palletizing CAD model Robot, they do not use SolidWorks.

I need to move the joints of this robot and could not do it with this IGES file format.

Does anyone here know which file format will allow me to do these joints movements; IGES / STL / STEP / ACIS-SAT?

Thanks

 

[handleman]

How many solid bodies does the IGES model have when you import it into SolidWorks? You will probably have to save the solid bodies as individual parts and put them together in an assembly. If the whole robot is one solid body you will have to cut it apart into its major components, save each component as a separate part file, and assemble them in an assembly file.

 

[HeavenlySolid]

All toguether there are 14 files name HP50 and the other one are name DEFAULT and DEFAULT-1 to DEFAULT-12.

What should I do? I really do prefer to work with the IGES format.

 

[Theophilus]

You can save each body as its own part (if they aren't already part files) by going to something like Insert > Features > Save Bodies. Bring each saved part into an assembly like handleman said and create the ranges of motion between components that you need.

Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reason trumps all. And awe trumps reason.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

The IGES file should import as an assy and automatically create individual parts. However the parts will not be mated so should be fully floating.

Are you saying you cannot move anything?


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

 

[handleman]

You can't do movement with IGES / STL / STEP / ACIS-SAT / DXF / PDF / TIF / JPG / PROE or any other non-SolidWorks files in Solidworks. You can only get movement within a Solidworks assembly file (*.sldasm). You can only put Solidworks part files (*.sldprt) into Solidworks assembly files.

 

[HeavenlySolid]

Thanks Guys. I will try saving each individual files as SW parts and then do an assembly and provide motion


Thanks again.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

OK ... I'm confused. We are obviously talking about different animals here. Here is a IGES file from Southco.

http://www.mooload.com/new/file.php?file=files/100806/1155233626/M12A13X3D.igs

It is of a Panel/Door Latch. When it is opened in SW, an assy and sub-assy complete with parts is created. The parts are not mated. When the sub-assy is opened, the parts can be moved. Mates can be applied to limit movement.

HeavenlySolid ... Is your IGES file opening as an assy or as a multi-body part? If it is an assy, you do not need to save individual files. They should be created automatically when saving the imported IGES file as a SW assy.


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

 

[HeavenlySolid]

Thanks all.

I'm done with the assembly and it works just fine, I'm able to move each of the 5 joints with ease, with the mouse of course.


Question:

I'm not that strong using the Simulation tool inside SW when it comes to move all of these 5 joints.

Is anyone here kind enough to download this robot file and give some random movements to all of these joints for me to practice and learn more?

I will appreciate all your help on this.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

What version of SW are you using?

I've not used the Simulation tool much so would welcome the opportunity to practice for a useful purpose.
See faq559-1177 for posting details.

Also I would like to see the original IGES file you have.


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

 

[HeavenlySolid]

Thanks I will post the link as soon as possible, rigth after the break!!!

 

[Theophilus]

Right, I was wondering about the assembly vs. part type of IGES file myself. Sounds like it's a multi-body part.

Also, are these solid bodies or surfaces?

Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reason trumps all. And awe trumps reason.

 

[HeavenlySolid]

They are solid bodies and I'm using SW 2004

 

[HeavenlySolid]

Here is the link for the Robot SW2004 file.

http://www.telemetrika.com/RoboticsPage1.html

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

I'm using SW06 so will not be able to return an "edited for animation" file.

I'm still interested in seeing that IGES file though.


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

 

[HeavenlySolid]

Send me an email from that website and I will email you the IGES file.

Are you sure you cannot "Save As" 2004 version?

 

[SBaugh]

If you can get separate solid bodies from an imported model then you should be able to add mates to those bodies and get movement out of them just as if they were SW models. Just because they are dumb solids doesn't mean you cna't get movement out them.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

"Are you sure you cannot "Save As" 2004 version?"

Yes I'm sure ... very few solid modelling programs can save to an earlier version.


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

 

[SBaugh]

SW will probably never have the ability to save backwards. You can save your models out to older types of STEP and Parasolid files to get them back and forth between SW versions, but they are dumb files.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376

 

[SolidCreative]

solidworks kinda sucks for robotic simulation, even for just simple reach studys. Deneb Ultraspot is much better.