Have you ever seen these messages before when launching SolidWorks?
Not to worry! This only means that the Hole Wizard/Toolbox functionality has failed to find an important database file, SWBrowser.mdb. The fix is simple. Open your SolidWorks options under Tools > Options and select “Hole Wizard/Toolbox” from the System Options tab.
A new feature added in SolidWorks 2012 is the SolidWorks Part Reviewer Add-In. This new tool can be used to review, step-by-step, the features used to create the geometry of a part.
Many SolidWorks users are aware that an effective way to learn how to create advanced geometry is to dissect and analyze models created by others. Previously this could be done by use of the Rollback Bar, however the new Part Reviewer Add-In automates the process.
Have you every had to fight your way through a model performing several CTRL+Select operations as you are attempting to apply an appearance to a few faces or a specific type of face in your model.
It is a question we run into every so often on the support lines here at Javelin and the caller often states “There must be a better way to make these selections that having to select each and every individual face.” As it turns out we do have a tool that can help us make these selections quickly, along with a degree of refinement not available elsewhere in SolidWorks.
Enter at Stage Right, Power Select! As it turns out it’s been with us the entire time (At least since SolidWorks 2004). With every other release of SolidWorks it seems Power Select gets an upgrade to its growing list of capabilities.
Total integration of the Power Select tool was introduced in SolidWorks 2010 as all of the SolidWorks utilities were migrated into the main interface to achieve consistency with all of the other tools available in SolidWorks. Let’s take a look at a quick example of what this tool can do for us:
When Pipe Routing you may need to have an elbow that has a drain or weldolet on it. This is actually easily accomplished. Simply model the modified elbow and use the replace fitting command to swap it into the route. Best results are likely achieved if you save a copy of your default elbow and modify it to suit and then swap in the copy. Read More »
To speed up the Pipe Routing process or simplify your library, it may help you to combine similar routing parts into one file. You can make configurations with different Material Properties for example. Just make sure to have the configuration specific routing property “Pipe Identifier” a discreet value for each configuration in the case of the pipe part file. Also, you can use the “User Specified” Configuration properties option for the part number in the BOM (See image below). The BOM part number can also be entered into the Design Table if the part has one.
Configuration Properties
In SolidWorks Pipe Routing we can only specify one default elbow for the route subassembly. Historically this meant that if we have more than one angle of elbow in the route, we had to browse each time for every case not matching the default. Now we have a couple of options to help out with this situation.
There are 2 special elbows in the default design library. They are the ones with “compound” in the name. These elbows have configurations for 45°, 90° and 180°. As long as there is a configuration in the elbow part that matches the angle of the route, you will not have to browse for a new elbow part file. Read More »
If there is a specific fastener you need but can’t find the size in the default toolbox, you can modify and add custom sizes. This can be done using the Toolbox Settings program found under Start > All Programs > SolidWorks (year) > SolidWorks Tools.
Before working for Javelin I was a Mechanical Designer creating mobile equipment, and assembly machinery using SolidWorks 3D CAD software. I loved working with SolidWorks but did not have the luxury of being able to use SolidWorks Enterprise PDM software for file management. On more than one occasion I spent countless hours populating data over and over again, reattaching links to files that had been moved, and producing shop floor drawings of projects that I worked on in weeks past!
To show you SolidWorks Enterprise PDM can make life a lot easier when designing with SolidWorks I have created a Guide which describes 12 file management issues and how using SolidWorks Enterprise PDM can solve them. I’m sure that some if not all of my file management issues will be familiar to you!
CircuitWorks is a translator bridge for SolidWorks. It allows SolidWorks to open files produced by Electrical CAD software for Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design. Upon opening the file, SolidWorks/CircuitWorks will create an assembly model of the PCB. CircuitWorks also allows SolidWorks to save changes back to files to be imported in the electrical design software. Components on the PCB can be moved and the file exported to allow the electrical designers to see possible changes.
CircuitWorks ECAD Tool for SolidWorks
Javelin’s Plant Design and Layout add-in product for SolidWorks has been updated for SolidWorks 2010. PlantWorks allows for rapid 3D layout generation from furniture layouts to full machine layouts in your facility for proposals, photo renderings, and fly-through animation. Using PlantWorks and SolidWorks visualization tools you will be able to provide early visibility of your proposed plant solution.
Check out this demo to learn more about the product.
What’s New at JavelinSince 1997 Javelin has helped thousands of companies with solutions for mechanical design, electrical design and rapid prototyping. Large or small, we have the skills and experience to propel your organization to new heights. Learn More »
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