CATI Tech Notes tag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-1603484 2012-02-08T08:25:00-06:00 SolidWorks Tips from the Technical staff of CATI. TypePad SolidWorks Sheet Metal and Flat Pattern View Direction tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e5510582dd8834016761d0a511970b 2012-02-08T08:25:00-06:00 2012-02-08T08:25:00-06:00 One of the questions that came out of one of our training classes today is “How does SolidWorks determine the direction of the view layout for the Flat Pattern view it automatically generates?” So we started looking and trying out... Josh Altergott

One of the questions that came out of one of our training classes today is “How does SolidWorks determine the direction of the view layout for the Flat Pattern view it automatically generates?”

So we started looking and trying out different options and here is what we found, prior to SolidWorks 2011 we were unable to specify a Grain Direction in a sheet metal part so the Fixed Face viewed Normal To was the direction for your Flat Pattern. With SolidWorks 2011 SolidWorks added a series of new properties for Sheet Metal parts that a lot of information that is useful for manufacturing. Two of the Properties are Bounding Box Length and Bounding Box Width and because of this SolidWorks now lines up your Flat Pattern view with the Length in the Y and your Width in the X directions, thus for many people not give them the desired view layout. So if you want to change this you can use the Grain Direction, found by editing the Flat Pattern feature, and selecting an edge or sketch line for the Grain Direction (X).

Grain Direction

The alternative option is:

  1. Select the view to rotate.
  2. Select the Rotate View icon found in the Heads-Up Toolbar.
  3. Enter the value of the rotation angle.

Rotate View

 http://blog.cati.com/2012/02/solidworks-sheet-metal-and-flat-pattern-view-direction.html Tracer Study in Flow Simulation tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e5510582dd88340167619e0c58970b 2012-02-07T19:43:00-06:00 2012-02-07T19:43:00-06:00 With the tracer study in Flow Simulation you can quickly simulate a concentration source,surface condensation or evaporation of admixture fluid (e.g. water vapor or toxic gas) in the carrier fluid (e.g air).The assumption being this admixture has little or no... Rajat Trehan

With the tracer study in Flow Simulation you can quickly simulate a concentration source,surface condensation or evaporation of admixture fluid (e.g. water vapor or toxic gas) in the carrier fluid (e.g air).The assumption being this admixture has little or no effect on the carrier fluid flow.

Examples of tracers in air being : water vapor, carbon dioxide,etc. Any admixture whose concentration is relatively low can be considered as a tracer. This feature is very useful for designing clean rooms.

Rajat Trehan

Product Manager

Computer Aided Technology Inc. 

 http://blog.cati.com/2012/02/tracer-study-in-flow-simulation-.html How Do You Batch Convert Files to the Latest Release of SolidWorks? tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e5510582dd88340168e67114c8970c 2012-02-06T06:55:00-06:00 2012-02-03T16:40:50-06:00 With each new release of SolidWorks, the file format is updated to take advantage of the latest performance upgrades, Each time a file is opened that has not been saved in the new release, a message will appear that this... Neil Bucalo

With each new release of SolidWorks, the file format is updated to take advantage of the latest performance upgrades, Each time a file is opened that has not been saved in the new release, a message will appear that this is an older file. Customer's continually ask what is the easiest way to convert all their files at once.

The Easy Solution - SolidWorks Task Scheduler
You can create a task to convert files from an earlier release of SolidWorks to the current release.  This optimizes them for the latest software enhancements. You can create a task to convert files on your computer or create a distributed task to run on a group of computers. You must have a SolidWorks Professional, SolidWorks Premium, or SolidWorks Office license to create a distributed task. In general the Task Scheduler should convert all the old version files.

Note: Please back-up all files before converting files. Once files are saved in the latest release, they cannot be opened in an earlier release of SolidWorks.

Click Start - All Programs - SolidWorks Install Directory - SolidWorks Tools - SolidWorks Task Scheduler

Task_scheduler

1. Click Convert Files on the sidebar, or pull down the Tasks menu and pick Convert Files.
2. In the Convert dialog box, type a title for the task or leave the default.
3. Select the files or folders you want to convert. Simply click the Add File or Add Folder button and select the files or folder to update and click Open. Repeat to select additional files or folders. If you do not want to include subfolders, uncheck Include subfolders. To delete a file or folder from the list, click its number or path, then click Delete.
4. Under Task schedule, set the Running mode (Specifies how often the task runs: Once, Daily, Weekly, or Monthly.), the Start time and the Start date.
5. For distributed tasks: Click Network Monitor if it is not running. Select Distribute Task. Click Network Test (recommended) to verify group read and write access to files and folders.
6. Click Options to change conversion options and backup locations.
7. Click Advanced to change the working folder, time-out values, and other options.
8. Click Finish.

Task_scheduler2

 http://blog.cati.com/2012/02/how-do-you-batch-convert-files-to-the-latest-release-of-solidworks.html Depth of Field Focal Point tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e5510582dd88340168e69f6180970c 2012-02-03T14:18:00-06:00 2012-02-03T14:18:00-06:00 An amazing feature to generate nice crisp images that focus on a specific feature.It lets you blur portions of the scene while keeping specific components in focus, regardless of where you move them on the screen. The depth of field... Rajat Trehan

An amazing feature to generate nice crisp images that focus on a specific feature.It lets you blur portions of the scene while keeping specific components in focus, regardless of where you move them on the screen.

The depth of field focal point can be used to persuade the end user to focus on critical features, important assembly steps, or other areas of interest, resulting in clear and effective assembly instructions.

1

Rajat Trehan

Product Manager

Computer Aided Technology Inc.

 http://blog.cati.com/2012/02/depth-of-field-focal-point.html NAFEMS Benchmarks SolidWorks Simulation tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a00e5510582dd88340167619df9dd970b 2012-02-03T13:43:21-06:00 2012-02-03T13:43:21-06:00 When you install SolidWorks Simulation, NAFMES benchmarks are installed by defualt. I would highly recommend everyone to go through atleast a few of them. The goal here is to see how NAFEMS quantifies Solidworks Simulation results, and if possible to... Rajat Trehan

When you install SolidWorks Simulation, NAFMES benchmarks are installed by defualt. I would highly recommend everyone to go through atleast a few of them. The goal here is to see how NAFEMS quantifies Solidworks Simulation results, and if possible to come up with a technique that will be applicable to your specific problem at hand.

Here is an example of how you can use a simple model to come up with your own benchmark.