{"id":37,"date":"2008-03-17T05:08:48","date_gmt":"2008-03-17T12:08:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.fcsuper.com\/swblog\/?p=37"},"modified":"2010-02-10T14:01:41","modified_gmt":"2010-02-10T22:01:41","slug":"create-cad-standards-solidworks-environment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fcsuper.com\/swblog\/?p=37","title":{"rendered":"Create CAD Standards (SolidWorks environment)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Creating a drafting standards within a SolidWorks environment is an important task.\u00a0 The task may seem daunting to those of us who haven’t done this before, particularly if our company has no pre-existing documentation methods.\u00a0 These can be new companies, or companies moving from a lack of control into standardization.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, there is a lot of help available.\u00a0 Actual drafting standards already exist.\u00a0 Also, many of us have been through this before (sometimes multiple times).\u00a0 ASME provides American National Standards for many of the areas that need to be covered.\u00a0 ISO provides international standards for these too, however I will focus on the use of ASME since this is what I used myself.\u00a0 On the other-hand, creating SolidWorks specific standards requires a little more reseach and upfront work.<\/p>\n

Here are my very general suggestions for documents and tasks to create a company’s standard.<\/p>\n

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  1. SolidWorks Templates (basic overview)\n
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    1. Create a basic solid model template.\u00a0 The setup within this template will become the backbone of everything within SolidWorks. This will be the most used document.\u00a0 Establish custom properties that detail the part.\u00a0 (Use of existing properties can be leveraged to simplify this task.)\u00a0 Creation of this first template does not preclude the creation of other solid model templates. Instead, it will be used to create any others. For details about templates, goto SolidWorks Help and search titles only for the words “document templates”.<\/li>\n
    2. Create a solid model assembly template.\u00a0 Many of the general settings of this template should be duplicates of the settings of the solid model template.\u00a0 Some planning is required.\u00a0 Determine the best method of assembly structure for your company.\u00a0 Several practices exist as guides, such as Top-Down, Horizontal Modeling, Bottom-Up, and Configurations.\u00a0 It is important to note that there is not one-size-fits-all method for all companies.\u00a0 Research each and make the determination based on company needs.\u00a0 Setup the assembly template to support the chosen method.\u00a0 However, do not become overly reliant on any particular methodology since situations may require flexibility.<\/li>\n
    3. Decide how the drawing templates will interact with solid models. This includes deciding to have any pre-defined views, use of custom and other properties, etc.<\/li>\n
    4. Create sheet formats and templates for each drawing size that will be commonly used.\u00a0 Include annotation notes linked to custom properties, such as part number, material, revision, originator, origination date, surface finish number and\/or type, etc.\u00a0 See SolidWorks Help search for “Link to Property”.<\/li>\n
    5. If in a network environment, place the templates and sheet formats within a folder where all SolidWorks users will have access.\u00a0 Point all SolidWorks installs to this location.\u00a0 This can be done within pulldown menu Tools>Options>File Location>Document Templates and Sheet Formats.<\/li>\n
    6. Create a company standard for shortcuts and macros that speed up SolidWorks operations. Set up a network location for the company macros.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
    7. Create the following standard operating procedures.\n
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      1. SolidWorks Performance<\/span>that covers computer system requirements, Windows settings, SolidWorks installation, working folders, and standardizing files.<\/li>\n
      2. SolidWorks Best Practices and Standards<\/span>\n