Tech Savvy Engineers - Redefining CAD/CAM/CAE Solutions

Enhanced Memory Management In SolidWorks 3D CAD Software

2011-05-06T22:57:00.000-07:00

In SolidWorks there are so many feature that help in enhancing memory or in other words saving memory during a large assembly.

But what actually a memory is? Why we have to save in memory?

We all know memory is the space where we can store all our information when a computer is operating. There are two types of memory in a system RAM [Random Access Memory] & HDD [Hard drive].

OPEN

RAM

SAVE

SolidWorks is a RAM resident CAD system. Whenever a file is opened, it copies from its storage location (HDD) to the RAM. After doing all the changes to the file, when we perform the save operation, it writes back the original file in HDD.

Apart from SolidWorks every other software is RAM resident like Ms office, Games, Videos….etc. as all the graphics are controlled by RAM. Even movement of the mouse cursor on the screen is supported by RAM.

We need to save memory to get better performance from computer system during software usage.

Now, since we have understood the basics about memory. Let us take a look at the feature’s in SolidWorks which help us to have an Enhanced Memory Management.

1. Light weight feature in assy: This is very use full feature. Using this feature we can save a lot of memory during opening of large Assembly. This feature automatically loads parts without their history tree in assembly helps to prevent memory. This feature also save memory during motion & animation of a assembly.

2. Defeature tool for assembly: With the Defeature tool, you can remove details from a part or assembly and save the results to a new file in which the details are replaced by dumb solids (that is, solids without feature definition or history). You can then share the new file without revealing all the design details of the model.

3. Speed Pack: speedpak create a simplified representation of an assembly without losing referance. If you work with very large and complex assemblies using speedpak can significantly improve performance while working in the asssembly an its drawing.

4. Unloading hidden component: we can unload hidden component from memory but retain the effect of their mates. This can also save large amount of memory in large assembly.

5. Assembly Visualization:- Assembly Visualization provides different ways to display and sort an assembly's components in a list and in the graphics area.You can rank components based on the values of their custom properties, and activate a spectrum of colors that reflects the relative values of the properties for each component.

6. The AssemblyXpert: AssemblyXpert analyzes performance of assemblies and suggests possible actions you can take to improve performance. This is useful when you work with large and complex assemblies. In some cases, you can select to have the software make changes to your assembly to improve performance.

7. Large Assembly Mode: Large Assembly Mode is a collection of system settings that improves the performance of assemblies. You can turn on Large Assembly Mode at any time, or you can set a threshold for the number of components, and have Large Assembly Mode turn on automatically when that threshold is reached. While using the Open dialog box to open an assembly whose number of components exceeds the specified threshold, you can specify whether or not to activate Large Assembly Mode by selecting or clearing Large Assembly Mode.

8. Simplified representation of assembly: When you want to work on a small subset of components in a large assembly, you can improve assembly performance by using Quick view / Selective open to open a simplified representation of the assembly. You specify which components to load; other components are not loaded and not visible, but the effects of their mates are retained. You specify which components to load by opening the assembly through the Open dialog box. While opening, you can select:

· Individual components. (You do not need to fully open the assembly first.)

· A display state where you previously defined the show/hide state of the components.

9. Simplifying Large Assemblies: Large assemblies can consist of hundreds of components. Reasons to simplify a large assembly include:

· Improve performance and reduce rebuild times.

· Improve display speed during dynamic view operations (zoom, pan, rotate, and so on).

· Focus your work on a subset of components.

By keeping the above things in mind we can easily save memory an enhance performance.

Karan Gill (CSWE)

(Asst. manager – Technical)

2011- Updated Feature in SolidWorks- PhotoView 360 & Walk-through

2011-03-24T22:29:00.000-07:00

PhotoView 360 is now fully integrated in SolidWorks®, making photorealistic image and animation creation simple for everyone, even the casual user. Walk-through enables a video game-like exploration of products, including structures and large machinery.

One of the most underutilized feature sets of PhotoView 360 is the appearance surface finish tab. Why is it underutilized? For a couple of reasons, some of them being:

It’s found in the appearance advanced settings that some users may never activate.
Most users don’t fully understand the settings and controls found there or how they can be used.

Surface finish is a way to add to the realism of your rendered image through the use of texture and depth. It’s an easy way to add intricate detail to your image without having to model anything more than smooth geometry. It’s a powerful tool that is essential for professional quality renderings. If you’re using the default PhotoView 360 appearances you are already using surface finish to some degree. We’re going to go beyond the stock appearances and will witness how to customize surface finish to meet your needs with this advanced feature. you can also witness some of the enhancements found in SolidWorks 2011 SP3.0 that take surface finishes to another level.

The PhotoView 360 provides detailed, lifelike images and walk-through overviews for demonstrating designs to customers, partners, vendors and coworkers.

SolidWorks 3D CAD Software- A Competitive advantage in the Pump Industry

2011-01-27T02:32:00.000-08:00

The pump industry in India has been witnessing cut throat competition in the past years. Being in a highly fragmented industry with limited scope for product differentiation, pump manufacturers face an increasingly challenging task of sustaining technological lead while maintaining cost competitiveness. To stay competitive and to position themselves, pump manufacturers have to fundamentally transform their product development processes, and CAD/CAM/CAE technology is playing a vital role in this transformation.

Leading pump manufacturers in India have succeeded in reducing indirect costs and improving product quality by adopting quality and reengineering initiatives and removing non-value adding processes in manufacturing.

These initiatives helped companies stay competitive in the past, but are no longer sufficient by themselves in today’s competitive market. The need of the hour is an integrated approach to the product development process starting with customer requirements at one end and ending with the final product at the other.

SolidWorks Computer Aided Design (CAD) technology with 3D modeling as the backbone can provide pump manufacturers a powerful tool to launch transformation initiatives in product development. 3D modeling provides a fundamentally different approach from traditional 2D processes by capturing a very accurate and intuitive representation of the designer's intent. There are examples of pump manufacturers in India being able to reduce product development times by as much as 50 percent by shifting to a SolidWorks 3D modeling approach to product design.

Reverse engineering, a subset of CAD provides a flexible approach for manufacturers wanting to create accurate 3D models from existing products.

Selecting the right CAD solution can be quite a challenge to pump manufacturers. The following is a generic list of criteria for Knowing SolidWorks 3D CAD Software:

►   Complete and scalable solution
►   Powerful 3D modeling with strong reverse engineering capability
►   Built-in data management capability
►   Ease of use
►   Openness of the solution in terms of data exchange
►   Availability of skilled manpower in industry
►   Availability of good local support as well as remote (hotline) support
►   Sustainability of the solution developer and much more.

The pump industry in India is poised for major growth with new opportunities opening up in the coming years. However, the successful manufacturers will be the only ones who effectively transform their product development processes by leveraging SolidWorks 3D CAD Software. SolidWorks 3D CAD Software is no longer a "nice-to-have" application; it has become a strategic necessity for survival in the industry.

What’s New in SolidWorks 2011: DEFEATURE TOOL

2011-01-24T21:39:00.000-08:00

SolidWorks 2011 has come up with a number of updated features in the Software. We will be discussing one of the best features incorporated in 2011 version of the same.

We just created this great model, now you would like us to do WHAT??

Defeature it??

Yes, that’s right; SolidWorks has come up with a tool to get rid of all the small details in your part.

But the question is: why would you ever want to do this and use this feature?

You would require this when you are going to share this model with someone who needs to build “around” it, but you don’t want them to see all the intellectual data present INSIDE it… Perhaps you have downloaded an assembly (or part) off the internet and you want to quickly dumb it down…

The DEFEATURE tool, new in SolidWorks 2011, will let you remove details from a part or assembly and save the results to a new file in which the details are replaced by dumb solids (with no feature history).

Isn’t it the best option !!!!

The tool is found under TOOLS—DEFEATURE (while you are in a Part or Assembly file).

There are steps to allow you to specify COMPONENTS to remove from the model (for assembly files only), specify any features you would like to keep (mounting holes, etc.) that may have been automatically removed in the first step, and even a step to allow you to specify if there is any movement/motion you would like to keep ! You also get to preview the “defeatured” model in a cool split screen window before you save it out as a new file.

One of the best things is that when you defeature an assembly, it will get saved as a multi-body PART file, so you don’t have all the references to worry about sending to someone or maintaining yourself. Also, any open areas in the model will be “filled in” with solid material!

Be sure to check out this new tool in SolidWorks 2011!!