Large AssemblyTips and Tricks

Thursday, Nov 22,201210.00AM-11.00AM

William Goh

Introduction

Target Audience

Assumptions:§ Experience working in SolidWorks assemblies§ Basic understanding of -Context§ Experience with SolidWorks System Options

Assumptions Example:§ Which is better?

Introduction

Introduction

**not an actual option

There is no one single

Objective of The Day

Many small improvements to performancewill result in

large improvements to the end user experience.

What is a

What is a

My assembly:– takes a long time to open– takes a long time to save– takes a long time to rebuild– takes a long time to make a drawing– hangs my computer after I rotate– hangs when using INSERT>COMPONENT– hangs when utilizing EDIT PART– hangs when adding MATES

What is a

A

1. Uses most or ALL of your system resources

and /or

2. Hurts your productivity

2 Goals/Strategies of this presentation:

§ COMPUTER SETUP Options and Setup

§ SOLIDWORKS TECHNIQUES Efficient management of Parts and Assemblies

Dataset

Network and Computer Setup

Network Setup

The best advice for opening SolidWorks files across the network:

Network Setup

Process Time

Open across network 2min 39secCopy dataset to local drive 1min 25sec

Open local copy 0min 38sec

If you donIt doesn

Network Setup

Network Setup

SolidWorks SEARCH ROUTINE– RAM– Then Locations in OPTIONS– Then local folder (of assembly)– Then original folder in file header

Computer Setup

Configuring a CAD Workstation for Large Assemblies

Computer SetupSelecting a CAD workstation

Computer Setup

Real Time Virus Protection:

If using,set an exception for SolidWorks files

Computer Setup

Windows Performance options:

Especially useful on older and under-supported machines

Computer Setup

Avoid running too many programs, simultaneously

Computer Setup

Computer Upkeep

§ DEFRAG§ Clear TEMP and BACKUP Files§ Uninstall unused applications§ Keep windows service packs up

to date

Computer Setup

Utilize your SolidWorks Tools

§ SolidWorks RX§ Diagnostics§ System Maintenance

§ SolidWorks Resource Monitor

SolidWorks Setup and Options

SolidWorks Setup and Options

A simple straightforward example (from OPTIONS>Display/Selection:

SolidWorks Setup and Options

Drawings:

SolidWorks Setup and Options

Colors:

SolidWorks Setup and Options

§ Add/Remove Mates

§ Interference Detection

§ Select Edge/Face/Part

§ Collision Detection

§ Assembly Features§ Measure§ Section Properties§ Mass Properties§ Create Explode

Views§ Physical Simulation

§ Add Annotations§ Add Dimensions§ Add Ref Geometry§ Create Section

Views

§ Lightweight components can:

SolidWorks Setup and Options

Performance:

This component is lightweight and needs to be resolved

SolidWorks Load Time

With options up to this point:

Process Time

Open across network 2min 39secCopy dataset to local drive 1min 25sec

Open local copy 0min 38secOpen using options up to this point 0min 12.5sec

System Options

Default Templates used for:– Insert, Mirror Part– Insert, Component, New Part/New Assembly– Form new Sub-assembly here– Importing IGES

assembly

System Options

View Transitions Turn them OFF

New NAMED VIEWS should be utilized

System Options

Consider turning AUTO-RECORVER off

SolidWorks Add-Ins

Turn OFF all add-ins (except PDM and Toolbox)

Document Properties

IMAGE QUALITYThe single most impactful doc. properties

=

=

=

Large Assembly Mode

Large Assembly Mode

What is

Large Assembly Mode

Non-Configurable

Large Assembly Mode

HELP > LARGE ASSEMBLY MODE

Efficient Part Modeling

Part Efficiency

Location of Origin 2 techniques

Centered about Origin Locating Position (for use in Main-assembly)

Part Efficiency

CONFIGURATIONS One of THE BEST WAYS to improve large assembly performance

“Default” config “Simple” config

Configuration Strategies

Establish a policy for the simplified configuration name: Example:

§ File, Open

§ Single click assm name

§ Assembly configuration <ADVANCED>

§ Click OPEN

What does the

Configuration Strategies

Configuration Strategies

Using Utilities to SIMPLIFY

Configuration Strategies

Using ASSEMBLY SIMPLIFY

Efficient Assembly Modeling

Good Assembly Techniques

• Using ASSEMBLY SIMPLIFY (similar to part simplify)• Use assembly config• Use Speedpak• Use LARGE DESIGN REVIEW

SpeedPak

• A SpeedPak configuration is essentially a subset of the parts and faces of an assembly.

• Unlike regular configurations, where you can simplify an assembly only by suppressing components, SpeedPaksimplifies without suppressing.

SpeedPak

Use VIEW MATES to determine which faces to pick

SpeedPakFILE, OPEN, LARGE DESIGN REVIEW

Conclusion

Conclusion

• There is no one single place in the HELP to find some great settings:

Conclusion

• DON• Learn how to leverage LIGHTWEIGHT• Make

as a standard practice

Thank You~