Using SW Configuration in Autocad

3D Design Volume Model
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1

Hello

I am trying to respond to a problem raised by our client.

We have a Solidworks assembly with machine configurations in different positions (see PJ: presentation.pdf).

Several values of Alpha (0°, 15°, 30°, ...), T (0mm, 1000mm, 2000mm), D (0°, 15°, 30°, ...), beta (0°, 15°, 30°, ...)

To prepare their site, the customer needs to position the machine in the work space.

Where it gets complicated is that the customer only has 2D views of the site (top, front and side view) under Autocad and does not have SW!

 

My wish: to use Autocad (maybe Autocad 3D, by the way, which I admit I don't know too much) in which I can enter the different values of alpha, beta, T, D,... and to be able to extract the views of the Front, the Side and the Top. (as SW would do by choosing the right configuration and the associated drawing with these 3 views).

How can I do this?

What I want to avoid is to do each config under SW and then export it to Autocad because counting well, I have.... 41160 different positions.

 

Thank you in advance for your help,

Thomas


presentation.pdf
2

Hello

Knowing SolidWorks better, I will go for a VBA macro programming, which would vary the angles by itself and export to a DWG automatically!

It takes a bit of work, but VBA isn't very complicated.

For an initiation, you can watch the macros I posted as a tutorial on Lynkoa:

http://www.lynkoa.com/tutos/3d/macro-enregistrer-sous-avec-solidworks

http://www.lynkoa.com/tutos/3d/macro-solidworks-retirer-lecture-seule-pour-fichiers-de-bibliotheque

 

3

Hello

Why not make a family of parts to control the dimensions of your assembly?

Configs will be created automatically. Changing the dimensions in excel will be quick. Then duplicate a drawing for each config and export them.

See help on parts families:

http://help.solidworks.com/2014/French/SolidWorks/sldworks/r_Summary_of_Design_Table_Parameters.htm?id=86f83c78772a4446b8b6740f1d193133#Pg0

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4

My problem mainly comes from the fact that the customer does not have Solidworks.

If it had SW, indeed, I have set up families of parts and I could make a macro in VBA.

So, you have to find the same solution as under SW but for Autocad :-)!

5

Hello

 

Are you an Axemble customer?

If so, do you have a MyCadSedrvice subscription?

If so, you have a utility that allows you to generate x plans from x configurations and another that allows you to export these x plans to dwg.

 

@+

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6

Of course, if you want your client to generate these plans based on the dimensions. It's just not possible!

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To answer Coyote, yes I am a customer of Axemble and have MyCad tools.

But I can't provide my client with 41160 DWG files.

 

And to answer Remrem, saying that it's impossible doesn't get me very far.

I don't know much about Autocad, and even less about Autocad 3D, but maybe there is a way to do in Autocad what is possible to do in SW! At least I hope so!

8

Saying that it's impossible is just a way of trying to take a step back and take the problem from another point of view and realize that the specifications may be too complicated.

To avoid staying in a path that will ultimately lead nowhere.

The exchange of information between software is already complicated so from there to recover a file on autocad with its configs...

3 Likes
9

This is possible in AutoCAD thanks to the configurable dimensions in Excel:

http://www.lynkoa.com/forum/3d/creer-des-familles-de-pieces-sous-autocad

Or thanks to VBA (programming):

http://maxence.delannoy.pagesperso-orange.fr/vba/att_excel.htm

1 Like