Configuration Management
‧ Configuration Management is the ability to control design variations
from within a single file or document. This applies to parts and assemblies,
with the effects propagating to drawings.
‧ Configuration Management enables the generation of multiple versions
of parts, assemblies, and drawings in a single document with
a minimal amount of time and effort. Configurations make use of
design tables, derived design data, component properties, relationships,
viewing states, and other attributes, storing part and assembly
information in one area for greater efficiency. SolidWorks offers
multi-level configurations, called nested configurations, to optimize
the power, organization, and efficiencies of configurations.
‧ SolidWorks Configuration Management gives you maximum
flexibility in creating multiple design variations covering a wide
range of needs. New configurations are easily developed from
previously created designs to further speed development and meet
market needs for data reuse.
‧ A simple application of this capability would be to create various
versions of sheetmetal rack-mounted enclosures that automatically
add more cooling air louvers as the dimensions increase. The
various versions of this enclosure design can be created within a
single SolidWorks model file for simplicity and easy design control.
‧ “What if” scenarios for different design requirements such as power
supply size and power capacity can be quickly explored by turning
on and off various configurations of a part or assembly.
‧ Chassis dimensions and sizing of cutouts can be tied to design data
for each size of package. As the package requirements change, the
necessary chassis dimensions automatically update to reflect the
new design.
‧ Components involving multistage processing, such as progressive
cavity stampings or the casting and machining of parts, can easily
be documented by using multiple configurations of a single part.
Configuration Management techniques can generate a discrete
version of a part or assembly as necessary to reflect a separate
version or in-process state. These versions help you compare
designs, track costs, and develop process plans.
‧ Because change and flexibility are keys to effective design, the
importance of configurations to the designer cannot be overstated
and SolidWorks is the only product among powerful, easy-to-use
3D CAD products that offers configurations for both parts and
assemblies.
Fully Associative Assemblies: Top-down and
Bottom-up Design Techniques
‧ For electronic package design, fully associative assemblies are
critical for effectively using bottom-up and top-down assembly
design techniques. Associativity guarantees that all elements of a
model are electronically associated or connected, including
assembly models, components, drawings, details, and bills of
materials. This means that when a change is made to any
SolidWorks file, that change is automatically made in all associated
files.
‧ Bottom-up associative design encompasses the creation of new
components and integration of these with existing components into
assemblies. Each of these parts can be edited within the assembly
as needed.
‧ Top-down associative design involves working with an existing
assembly to develop new components for use with that assembly.
Because new components reference existing parts in the assembly,
any changes made to any of the parts are reflected throughout the
design.
‧ Top-down associative design techniques allow designers to capture
design intent easily and automatically, including inter-part
relationships. Modifications automatically propagate throughout the
assembly and drawings, maintaining design intent.
‧ SolidWorks software provides powerful top-down capabilities that
allow designers to build in design intent automatically and
painlessly.
‧ Examples of top-down design include developing an enclosure for a
PCB assembly that provides a certain clearance around the board,
generating a maximum envelope (length, width, and height) for a
PCB within a required finished product size to guide board designers
in developing necessary controls, and developing a wiring har-ness to link key components that fits between other components.
Configuration Management enables these new parts to be linked
and related to ensure that the new parts will always fit the necessary
requirements of the design which helps prevent design problems.
(also see Configuration Management).
Large Assembly Performance
‧ The ability to handle assemblies comprising thousands of parts
without compromising performance is a requirement of 3D CAD
solutions for designing large electronic products, such as
computers and network switching panels.
‧ The capacity to manage large assemblies easily allows product
designers to take on a broader range of projects and gain greater
flexibility in solving design problems.
‧ The challenges associated with large-assembly electronic product
design are often unpredictable and complex. SolidWorks 3D modeling
software, with its Large Assembly Mode, offers unparalleled
performance for applications involving a large number of parts,
allowing product designers to design and assemble tens of thousands
of components and evaluate complete assemblies.
‧ SolidWorks provides built-in tools for evaluating assembly designs,
including motion simulation and visualization (Physical Simulation),
interference checking, collision detection, clearance information,
and creation of envelopes for defining the full range of an assembly’s
motion. These tools help product designers identify necessary
changes in assembly development, which can be easily made using
simple drag-and-drop assembly structure reorder operations.
‧ Many manufacturers accelerate development through concurrent
design approaches where several designers or teams work at the
same time on separate components or subassemblies of a large
assembly. SolidWorks 3D modeling software supports concurrent
design, providing powerful capabilities that support Configuration
Management, top-down design techniques, and design
collaboration.
|
