I'm currently working on a project with a relatively heavy main assembly (more than 2400 parts see PJ)) So obviously, it RAM, it crashes, the display bugs...
I always work in light and as much as possible in the sub-assemblies, but when I want to go to the main assembly it quickly becomes a hassle.
What are your solutions to "lighten" such an assembly? I always check the "complex assembly mode" but to tell the truth I don't really know what it changes?!
In such an assembly there is a lot of screws, it quickly becomes heavy in screws! It's essential in sub-assemblies but in the main assembly we could do without it. Is there an option to remove the loading of all toolbox elements in a specific assembly? that would be great!
Otherwise there is my DIY method, each sub-assembly has a config with and without screws and therefore my main assembly only includes the configs without screws. But it's quite tedious to set up.
If you have any advice or feedback, I'm interested!
Hello to you, it's a pleasure, we feel less alone with this problem!!! Already when you have cylindrical parts, do you lock the rotations? This removes degrees of freedom and therefore calculations for Solidworks, for the rest, your method looks pretty good.
Ps: Do you use the speedpak??? they are sometimes very practical
Hello We also work on very large assemblies. To lighten the load, there are a multitude of actions to be taken. On the pieces there are rules because depending on the way of drawing already has an impact on heaviness. The way to make the assemblies and sub-assemblies. It will be difficult to explain to you because the subject is vast, but I can give you the main lines. No unnecessary details , we make configurations with the defeature tool (full, light). The imported parts ditto or even redraw them so as not to have faces, no external references, degrade your image quality in order to relieve the graphics card no flexible assembly, merge the maximum number of bodies to limit the faces, limit the constraints per part, make subassemblies to limit the constraints of the first level. Indeed you can make a configuration with screws and without screws. Clearly, to have a very large assembly that is not too heavy, you have to start from the beginning.
Of course all the tips presented above are important and have effects that should not be neglected.
However, what about the configuration of your pc?
We often work on larger assemblies. See the attachment and this discussion: http://www.lynkoa.com/forum/3d/nombre-de-niveau-de-sous-ensemble-general-cao
Like everyone else, we have problems and bugs. However, we manage to work effectively.
We have the same problem, here is the method we apply:
- Creation of a simplified configuration in all sub-assemblies: removal of the screws, use of the component configuration (pinion without the teeth, belt), elimination of repetitions, removal of internal components. The deletion must not result in a component under stress
- Creation of a speedpak on this config
- Fully constrain the components in an isostatic manner (e.g. coxiality with rotation blocking + point/plane coincidence)
- Avoid long chains of stress
- Avoid distance constraints
- No flexible components
- Activation of the blocking bar and addition of points for constraints
- No error in the model tree
- Use the speedpaks of the sub-assemblies in the main assembly and use the configuration as needed
- Use of large design mode
That's it, it's a lot of work (creating configurations, adding points, modifying constraints...), with that we manage sets of 30000 parts (19000 unique)
You're right, it's to be taken into account from the beginning and in all subsets.
On the other hand, it's a bit like the story of the dog who kills his tail! Basically, to be able to manage the big ones together, it requires a lot more work, so a lot more time and a lot more risk of error. So isn't it better to waste a little time with a big assembly that lags a little? :p Where is the profitability of time in all this:p
I'm kidding, but it seems to be a real problem on all CAD software this management of large files with the limitations of current machine performance.
On that note, I'll let you meditate! Good evening to all and see you tomorrow!
Limit the number of components to 30 per subset (very difficult)
It's true that it requires a lot of work, but if it's done from the beginning, you lose less time than taking over the sets and parts.
That's our problem today, we started with small sets so no performance problem but now that we make complete machines we have to start from scratch.
So now we apply this method on all assemblies, in addition it has the advantage of improving the quality of the assemblies (no error in the tree, no over-constraint). Indirectly, it facilitates exchanges with the outside world, in fact we can send a customer or a subcontractor a simplified 3D model without internal components
As far as other software is concerned, I have the impression that it's the same thing. I had done some research on how to manage large assemblies with other software, here is an example with Inventor:
And also the display of all the plans and sketches in each part or sub-assembly which can weigh down an assembly or equations in a part, or equation linked between several parts.
Each piece must be "graphically" lightened as much as possible
A solution for your company could be to invest in the simplification software 3D_Evolution Simplifer.
It is a conversion software that simplifies large assemblies by automatically removing internal parts or small volume parts... There are a multitude of configurations.
The software complements CAD software on the market. It is used in many international societies.
Here is a video of the simplifications that can be made
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPiLQgxHXkw
the software opens all formats including native SolidWorks files