Solid Edge Tip of the Week November 13

Solid Edge Tip of the Week November 13, 2015

Solid Edge - Document Name Enhancements

A lot of times, the information provided to you in the pathfinder can be lacking: This can be improved with the document name formula in the Solid Edge options: Clicking Change brings up the Document Name Formula pop-up: Here you can add text before or after the [Filename] including other properties of that part file: You can add properties like the material, project name, author and many other properties making a glance at the pathfinder much more informative: I hope you found this information useful! Thanks, Navjot Gill Application Engineer Ally PLM Solutions, Inc. Want more tips? Sign up HERE to receive our Tip of the Week.  Register for upcoming free Solid Edge webinars or learn more about Ally PLM Solutions.

Solid Edge Tip of the Week November 6

Solid Edge Tip of the Week

November 6, 2015

Solid Edge - Turning on the List of Blocks in Solid Edge Draft

In this Ally PLM Tip of the Week, we are going to look at the option to display existing blocks on a Solid Edge drawing. If you are not familiar with blocks, they are groups of 2D geometry. Native 2D geometry can be blocked within Solid Edge draft or blocks from .dwg can be read into Solid Edge. 

1) Open a drawing that has blocks. This may be a native Solid Edge file or something opened from AutoCAD:

Blocks:

2) Over in the Library tab, toggle on the "Show Blocks" command:  

3) Notice the Block names will be listed under Active Document:

4) We can also select blocks from other drawings and use them in our active document. Select a dft/dwg from the folder above. Notice the preview of the block in the lower window.  CB Network protect is a block on the Circuit Protectors.dft file:

5) Drag and drop the block into the active drawing: 

6) We can create our own blocks using the block command. To find out more information on the Block command, search the Help or click F1 on the keyboard once in the Block command: 

7) There are sample blocks/block libraries delivered in the installation directory of Solid Edge here:  C:\Program Files\Solid Edge ST?\Sample Blocks:

In this week's Tip of the Week, we looked at how to display blocks in active and selected documents. For more information, check out our Ally PLM Lunch Bytes session on 2D Diagramming and Schematics: http://solidedgevideos.blogspot.com/2012/09/solid-edge-diagrams-and-schematics.html

Brandon Carter

Senior Application Engineer

Ally PLM Solutions, Inc.

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Register for upcoming free Solid Edge webinars or learn more about Ally PLM Solutions.

Solid Edge Tip of the Week October 2

Solid Edge Tip of the Week October 2, 2015

Solid Edge - Feature Library

In this week's tip, we will be taking a closer look at the Solid Edge Feature Library.  Not only can the feature library be used to pull in completed parts but also previously created features in Solid Edge.  This is especially useful to help reduce design time when frequently using the same features.

A feature library entry may contain any of the following synchronous elements:

• Features
• Faces
• Sketches
• Planes
• Coordinate systems
• Constructions

**Note:  You can only place a synchronous feature library member while in the synchronous environment.

You can add to the feature library from the Ordered environment.  The only ordered element you can add is a feature.  When placing an ordered feature in the feature library, the attributes for the feature are maintained.

A feature library entry cannot contain a mixture of synchronous and ordered elements.

**Note:  You can only place an ordered feature library member while in the ordered environment.

For Ordered:

1)  With the part model open, on the left side of the screen you will see the feature library tab.  Open this and create a Feature Library folder:

2)  In the Pathfinder for your model hover over the feature you wish to copy into the feature library to quickly reuse in future models and select "Copy": 

3)  Now, once again in the feature library tab, select paste to put this feature in your feature library folder: 

4)  Upon pasting you will notice that the Feature Set Information dialog box is displayed.  You can use the Feature Set Information dialog box to review the feature elements which were captured, review their status, and define custom prompts and notes for when you later place the library member.

Notice in the picture below that there are three elements indented under the Cutout 1 row: a Profile Plane and two Dimensions. Also, notice the Status column. When you later place the library member, you must define a planar face or reference plane because its status is listed as Required. The two Dimensions have a status of Optional. When you later place the library member, you can define new edges for the dimensions or you can skip them, and define the edges later:

5)  To pull the created feature into a new part, open the Feature library and drag the feature you created previously into the graphic window.

6)  Notice after dragging in the feature that the first row in the Feature Set Information dialog box is active, which requires that you define a profile plane.

7)  After selecting the appropriate plane, you will notice that the Status in the Feature Set Information dialog box is now changed to "Defined".   You can now do the same thing with your dimensions.  After doing this, these, too, will be "Defined":   

8)  Once these have been defined you will notice the feature you saved to the Feature library is now present on your model.  This has saved a lot of design time by not needing to recreate the cutout you used on another model.

For Synchronous Modeling:

Synchronous Modeling does not require the use of the Feature Set Information Dialog box. Saving your feature follows the same steps as Ordered Modeling but placing it is slightly different.  In Synchronous, you drag in the feature then locate it using the Steering Wheel.  The feature is not placed until you have clicked in the appropriate location.

I hope you found this information helpful! Thanks, Nathan Pfeiffer Application Engineer Ally PLM Solutions, Inc.  Want more tips? Sign up HERE to receive our Tip of the Week.

Solid Edge Tip of the Week September 4

Solid Edge Tip of the Week September 4, 2015

Solid Edge - Transfer Command

In this week's tip, we will be taking a closer look at the Transfer Command in Solid Edge Assemblies.  This command allows you to move a selected part or parts to a new or existing assembly or subassembly.  When using this command on parts that include links, the links are maintained even after the transfer. Below arei a few quick steps to show how it can be used.  1)  The command can be found in the Home Tab > Modify Group.  You will notice the command only becomes active once you have selected a part or parts that you wish to use. **Note:  You cannot transfer parts from different subassemblies at the same time.  When you try to do so, the Transfer command becomes inactive.

2)  Upon selecting the command Solid Edge may recognize that there are multiple occurrences of the part and that the transfer will affect all occurrences. Once the window opens, you are able to select to which subassembly you would like to move the part or you can create a new subassembly using the "New Subassembly" button located on the bottom right. 

3)  After the transfer, Solid Edge attempts to re-establish each positioning relationship as it was before the transfer with reference to the same reference part. If the reference part remains in the assembly tree below its new location, the relationship should be successfully re-established. If the reference part is not below the transferred part's new location, it will not be converted into a non-positioning relationship and the relationship is removed. You will not receive warnings for affected relationships during transfers so you should be very careful when transferring parts with relationships. You might choose to add positioning relationships to any occurrence that becomes under constrained after its transfer.

4)  If you transfer a part that is a parent of an inter-part relationship, the link is broken but not deleted. Inter-part Manager will show the inter-part link as broken just as if the parent part was deleted from the assembly. You will not receive a warning when the parent part is deleted. You must understand the relationship dependencies within your assembly so that you can avoid breaking links when you transfer parts. You will be warned if you transfer a part that is an inter-part child. If you continue with the transfer, the link will be broken and automatically deleted by the command. Pasted variable links will remain intact during transfer as long as both the parent and child remain anywhere in the assembly.  I hope you found this information helpful! Nathan Pfeiffer Application Engineer Ally PLM Solutions, Inc. Want more tips? Sign up HERE to receive our Tip of the Week. BOGO - Buy One Seat of Solid Edge, Get One FREE! Hurry, offer ends September 23, 2015! Click HERE to learn more! Register for upcoming free Solid Edge webinars or learn more about Ally PLM Solutions.

Werner Weitner designs better with Solid Edge

Specialty tool maker Werner Weitner integrates design and simulation with Solid Edge (Siemens PLM Software) and its built-in Solid Edge Simulation module to avoid rework. The software helps ensure product safety while reducing development time and costs. Results: Complex designs are completed faster, correct decisions are made earlier in the process, time-consuming rework is reduced and static testing costs are lower.

Learn how
http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/about_us/success/case_study.cfm?Component=144787&ComponentTemplate=1481

Try Solid Edge for free

http://allyplm.com/solidedgetrial/

Learn how Solid Edge can save you time on design and development at http://allyplm.com/solidedge/ or sign up for an informative webinar at http://allyplm.com/futureofcad/

Tip of the Week August 14

Solid Edge Tip of the Week August 14, 2015

Solid Edge - Support for Windows 10 and Windows 7

With the recent release of Windows 10, many users want to know when support for Windows 7 will be suspended and what versions of Solid Edge will support Windows 10.  The last version of Solid Edge supporting Windows 7 is Solid Edge ST9. To reiterate, ST10 and beyond will NOT be supported on Windows 7. As for support for Windows 10, Development will release notification of support for ST8 within an upcoming maintenance pack. We have not yet been notified which MP this will be. ST7 will not be supported on Windows 10.  Also, ST9 and forward will support Windows 10 in the base product.  I hope you found this information useful! Thanks, Nathan Pfeiffer Application Engineer Ally PLM Solutions, Inc.

Want more tips? Sign up HERE to receive our Tip of the Week.  BOGO - Buy One Seat of Solid Edge, Get One FREE! Hurry, offer ends September 23, 2015! Click HERE to learn more! Register for upcoming free Solid Edge webinars or learn more about Ally PLM Solutions.

Caprock designs better with Solid Edge

This contract manufacturer replaced SolidWorks® with Solid Edge CAD and achieved a five times cut in design time. Caprock Manufacturing needed to model design recommendations for OEM customer products faster and was unsure of its existing CAD system’s future. A switch to Solid Edge and its synchronous technology helped find a faster way to edit customer data and move from complex history-based design to synchronous technology in Solid Edge.

Learn how
http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/about_us/success/case_study.cfm?Component=153187&ComponentTemplate=1481

Try Solid Edge for free

http://allyplm.com/solidedgetrial/

Learn how Solid Edge can save you time on design and development at http://allyplm.com/solidedge/ or sign up for an informative webinar at http://allyplm.com/futureofcad/

Manz AG designs better with Solid Edge

High-tech electronic equipment manufacturer designs 145-foot long solar panels with Solid Edge. With the advantage of synchronous technology in Solid Edge (Siemens PLM Software), Manz was able to speed design results, easily integrate external models, and secure product lifecycle management, including its supplier network. "We have significant benefits through the trouble-free handling of external data. This definitely speaks for Solid Edge," said Roland Mann, manager of CAD/PLM administrations for Manz AG.

Learn how

http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/about_us/success/case_study.cfm?Component=156307&ComponentTemplate=1481

Try Solid Edge for free

http://allyplm.com/solidedgetrial/

Learn how Solid Edge can save you time on design and development at http://allyplm.com/solidedge/ or sign up for an informative webinar at http://allyplm.com/futureofcad/

Giant KONE Elevator designs better with Solid Edge

This elevator company eliminated four prototype rounds per product designing with Solid Edge. With the use of Solid Edge’s synchronous technology, productivity increased by eight percent, design time declined 40 days and the entire R&D cycle was reduced by three months. The company has achieved greater product innovation. "With Solid Edge, what is designed is what is manufactured, effectively improving both product design and production efficiency," said Li Yong, information manager at Giant KONE.

Learn how
http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/about_us/success/case_study.cfm?Component=156367&ComponentTemplate=1481

Try Solid Edge for free

http://allyplm.com/solidedgetrial/

Learn how Solid Edge can save you time on design and development at http://allyplm.com/solidedge/ or sign up for an informative webinar at http://allyplm.com/futureofcad/

TOP-TECH designs better with Solid Edge

Industrial machine engineering specialist prepares files for finite element analysis 10 times faster. With Solid Edge’s synchronous technology, TOP-TECH also accelerated key CAD processes 10-fold, decreased organizational costs and provided value-added engineering services to its customers. This led to a notable competitive edge as it established new business, especially with customers possessing rigorous engineering requirements.

Watch this video or read the story  

http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/about_us/success/case_study.cfm?Component=193780&ComponentTemplate=1481

Try Solid Edge for free

http://allyplm.com/solidedgetrial/

Learn how Solid Edge can save you time on design and development at http://allyplm.com/solidedge/ or sign up for an informative webinar at http://allyplm.com/futureofcad/

Venture Products designs better with Solid Edge

This tractor manufacturer moved from 2D to 3D design, eliminated physical prototypes and cut time to market with Solid Edge. The use of Solid Edge’s synchronous technology accelerated Venture’s 2D to 3D migration. Key results included parts fitting together on first assembly, faster time-to-market, full leverage of high-value legacy 2D data, six times faster conversion of 2D to 3D and six times faster new design creation. Watch the video or read the story.

Learn how
http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/about_us/success/case_study.cfm?Component=205117&ComponentTemplate=1481

Try Solid Edge for free

http://allyplm.com/solidedgetrial/

Learn how Solid Edge can save you time on design and development at http://allyplm.com/solidedge/ or sign up for an informative webinar at http://allyplm.com/futureofcad/

MySIO designs better with Solid Edge

Electrical equipment maker moves from 2D to 3D design and cuts errors 98 percent. The company is now winning new and important contracts and has greater access to, and is more competitive in the international market. MySIO uses Solid Edge’s synchronous technology, allowing it to make changes without affecting other components, quickly analyze and create assembly simulations, and significantly reduce errors. 

Learn how
http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/about_us/success/case_study.cfm?Component=206160&ComponentTemplate=1481

Try Solid Edge for free

http://allyplm.com/solidedgetrial/

Learn how Solid Edge can save you time on design and development at http://allyplm.com/solidedge/ or sign up for an informative webinar at http://allyplm.com/futureofcad/

Summits Hygronics designs better with Solid Edge

Compressed air & gas equipment maker speeds design time 40% & boosts new business 30% with Solid Edge. Its keys to success included moving from 2D to 3D design with Solid Edge for better model visualization and collision detection and interference checks. The use of synchronous technology in Solid Edge allowed for easier and faster engineering change notifications.  

Learn how
http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/about_us/success/case_study.cfm?Component=206390&ComponentTemplate=1481

Try Solid Edge for free

http://allyplm.com/solidedgetrial/

Learn how Solid Edge can save you time on design and development at http://allyplm.com/solidedge/ or sign up for an informative webinar at http://allyplm.com/futureofcad/