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generating configurations in assembly and generating drawing for these configurations

Question asked by Ravi Peri on Feb 1, 2013
Latest reply on Mar 31, 2013 by Tim Glavin

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I am trying to create three large assembly files with numerous configuration - to the order of 100000 (due to various combinations and permutations) and like to generate drawings (more in to sales side not detailing) onthe fly.

Wondering if any one can suggest the best and easy approach. I can generate the parts numbers using C but i have to generate these configurations in excel and link the file to assembly file in desing tables. It works at times and it does not.

Same works for drawings, i am thinking to do a marcro but generating for all these thousands of configurations and save as pdf for our sales people, i donotknow how to proceed.

I would be happy to read all your thoughts.

Ravi

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Krisztian Bimbo Mar 1, 2013 9:42 AM
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Ravi, have you tried DriveWorks?
Express can do part numbering, for you also update a drawing template for you.
All the calcs you do in excel can be done in DriveWorks. Also if DW Express (the free entry level) is not enough for your purposes ,than a seat of Solo cost only a couple of grand.
Here is a link to compare the different DW levels. From what you wrote tho, I can't see any reason why DW Express would not suffice for your purposes.
http://www.driveworks.co.uk/images/videos/ProductData/driveworks-feature-comparison.pdf

Also a free 30 days trial of Solo is available, just seen it recently somwhere if you wanna try it first.

Kris
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- Krisztian Bimbo @ Krisztian Bimbo on Mar 4, 2013 4:19 AM
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  On the above note, this an option that you can explore for free in my experience.
  If your company is happy to invest tens of thousands of pounds (GBP) in design automation then it might be worthwile to review other 3rd party KBE (knowledge based engineering) partner products like Genus or KBMax. We have good experince with these two companies.
  
  To see these partner products go:
  http://www.solidworks.com/sw/products/engineering-software-partners.htm
  select:
  
  Works with: CAD
  Category: Design
  Sub Category: KBE/Design Automation
  
  Regards,
  Kris
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  - Ravi Peri @ Krisztian Bimbo on Mar 7, 2013 10:06 AM
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    Thanks Kris!
    
    My assemblies are mostly with our own fabricated designed and stocked parts. Mostly what I have understood is this would be a rule based on drive works or any other design automation. Knowledge base would be only some small tubing or piping.
    
    I was going through Genus and it looks like mostly knowldege based implies i am limited in using my individual parts.
    
    Thnaks once again for your time and interest in this issue - let me know your thoughts.
    
    Regards
    Ravi
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    - Krisztian Bimbo @ Ravi Peri on Mar 7, 2013 10:31 AM
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      No problem Ravi.
      
      I might be getting this wrong but you seem to differentiate between rule based engineering and knowledge base engineering.
      What do you mean by one or the other?
      
      Kris
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      - Ravi Peri @ Krisztian Bimbo on Mar 7, 2013 10:38 AM
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        Kris!
        
        Correct me if iam wrong - I was under opinion that Rule based are for assemblies with predefined parts while knowledge are for parts and assemblies with changes in the parts through dimensions while developing the assemblies.
        
        I might have little concept on these but am not able to present them clearly.
        
        Cheers
        Ravi
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        Krisztian Bimbo @ Ravi Peri on Mar 13, 2013 9:42 AM
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        Ravi,
        
        There are far too many options, in general terms KBE means that is rulebased. Most rule basd configurators are design detailing tools...they automates the creation of engineering deliverables such as Drawings, CAD Models, BOMs, cost and sales quotes by processing the many variables of a custom product.
        
        So that they dont design or engineer products, an engineering calculation will output some parameters that are inputs to your CAD model confiigurator. So that one input resuls in one configuration option only.
        
        You can lay down your predefined rules and calculate geometry via predifined parameters/variables (in excel or MathCAD for example or can be hard oded in your configurator) to drive the model..
        
        Either use a master assembly based Configuration Configurator or a more advanced Engineer To Order tool. You can research this terminology to have a better understanding of the difference.
        In a master assy based configurator you can delete/suppress/replace components.
        With an Engineer To Order tool you can add new components, define mates, add features to parts, subtitu Drte pars with assemblies.
        
        ...in a nutshell...
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    - Tim Glavin @ Ravi Peri on Mar 31, 2013 3:06 PM
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      Ravi,
      
      I apologize for being late to this discussion.
      
      Companies that throw around the terms "KBE", "rule-based" and "design" are fast and loose with their definitions, so you won't get good information on a 3rd party product's capabilities and limitations by relying on these terms.
      
      Genus Designer has fewer limitations on how you can use your assemblies, parts and configurations than other tools. Further, its rules apply to more things, including adding assemblies, parts and features to existing assemblies and parts and to orienting the added components and features. This is because its configurator is "generative" instead of "master model-based". In addition, because it has a design explorer, it is actually capable of design, while a configurator-only product is really limited to detailing.
      
      If you're not clear on what these terms mean, check with them.
      
      - Tim
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generating configurations in assembly and generating drawing for these configurations

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