TECH TIP

TOPIC: SolidWorks Explorer Windows Sidebar Gadget

With the introduction of the Windows Sidebar in Vista, SolidWorks wanted to get their piece of the action. They accomplished this in the form of the SolidWorks Explorer Gadget. This gadget installs just as quickly and easily as any other Windows Sidebar Gadget and allows the user to quickly search all SolidWorks files and display the results in SolidWorks Explorer.

Procedure:
In order to use the gadget, it must first be installed, but once installed is very easy to use.

1.)
Installing the gadget is done using the Gadget interface, activated quickly by right clicking on the desktop and selecting “Gadgets”.

2.)
Once the gadgets screen is brought up, right click on the SolidWorks Explorer gadget and select “Add”.

3.)
After adding this gadget, it is ready to use by typing in a search name and pressing enter. The search results will come up in SolidWorks Explorer.

Notes:

1. In order to limit the search range, SolidWorks Explorer only searches the items listed in the Search Folders option of SolidWorks Explorer. These folders are added automatically by adding items to the Windows Desktop Search in Vista and to the Library in Windows 7.
2. This functionality will also search a Workgroup PDM vault, but requires login to the vault that is to be searched.

TECH TIP

TOPIC: Not sure how to design for manufacturing?

SolidWorks is amazing software, however it can still design parts that cannot be built or are very costly to build. Are you costing your company more money by designing expensive parts? Here is an example where the part contained sharp internal corners. This can be costly and unnecessary. Here is a tip to help you design better products for manufacturing. You already have it; it’s called DFM Xpress Analysis Wizard (DFM stands for Design for manufacturing).

Procedure:
Once you have modeled your part and would like to see if it can be improved follow these steps:

1.)
Just open a part file and go to: Tools/DFMXpress or select the Evaluate Tab in the Command Manager and select the DFMXpress Analysis Wizard Icon.

2.
SolidWorks does the validation, however the user must dictate some of the test criteria. “..Enter your test criteria, such as “minimum corner radius”. This tool also checks for other criteria as shown below:

3.
Just open a part file and go to: Tools/DFMXpress or select the Evaluate Tab in the Command Manager and select the DFMXpress Analysis Wizard Icon.

Notes:

1. It is never a bad idea to run your designs by an experienced machinist for tips on dimension technique that will save him time and make his job easier.
2. Try to design parts with standard holes and chamfers where possible.
3. Avoid extra smooth surfaces if not necessary and tight tolerances. Use 2 place tolerances where applicable.
4. Other features that can be verified are: minimum angular tolerance zone, linear tolerance zone, corner radius (turned part), and tool depth to diameter ratio etc.