Tutorial 22: Working with Large Models

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Tutorial 22: Working with Large Models

Working with LARGE Models.

Sweep Display dialog in MotionDesigner :

Make sure the MotionDesigner Sweep-Display dialog is not active.

This tool is found MotionDesigner > Edit toolbar > Sweep Display.

Use Briefcase FBs

Use Briefcase FBs to manage large numbers of FBs that are in the graphics-area. Please try to learn how they can help you.

Modeling toolbar > Briefcase FB


Edit menu > Machine Settings > Number-of-steps :

Make sure the number-of-steps in MechDesigner and MotionDesigner are not too high.

If you increase the number-of-steps, you do not increase the accuracy of the model. You can edit the number of points along a cam-profile when you export the cam.

MechDesigner

Edit menu > Machine-Settings > Number-of-Steps

For very large files, make the Number-of-Steps ≤ 90.

There are not many occasions when you must make the Number-of-Steps ≥ 360.

However, graphs may not represent the model as well when the Number-of-Steps is less than 90.

MotionDesigner

Edit menu > Active-Motion-Settings > Motion tab > Motion Cycle Data separator.

Make the Number-of-Steps = 360.


Click the graphics-area to update :

Click the graphics-area to complete a command if it does not complete correctly.

Click the graphics-area after you open a large model.

Click the graphics-area after you click a different Mechanism-Editor


Auto Rebuild and Rebuild Now

There is an Auto-Rebuild tool in MechDesigner AND MotionDesigner. The default is to rebuild after each command or edit of a parameter. When the model is large, each edit takes more and more time..

To increase how fast you can model:

1.Deselect the Auto-Rebuild, to model more easily and faster.

Click the Rebuild Now, if:

The model does not complete a command.

When there are 'motion-dependencies'. A motion-dependency is when a motion of a Motion-Part is a function of the motion of a different Part. You may need to toggle Auto-Rebuild two times.

If the Model does not seem to be update to include the last command, then , edit a Part and immediately close the Part-Editor.


SOLIDWORKS

SOLIDWORKS Parts may have cosmetic detail that you do not need in the MechDesigner model. The cosmetic details can make the graphics in MechDesigner slow to respond. For example, if you want to pan the model across your screen, with CTRL+Drag.

To increase the speed, and to reduce the time to open a model with SOLIDWORKS Parts and Assemblies:

Save all SOLIDWORKS Parts or Assemblies to the same path, or sub-path, or the MechDesigner model path.

Before you save SOLIDWORKS Part, add a new configuration to the SOLIDWORKS Part. In the new configuration:

Suppress small fillets on all parts

Use chamfers and not 'rounds' (internal fillets)

Suppress tapped-holes

Before you import a SolidWorks Assembly, add a new configuration to the SOLIDWORKS Assembly. In the new configuration:

Suppress washers, bolts... - unless important. (Use the 'Fix Mate' if the assembly needs the parts that you suppress).

Suppress Springs

Optionally, save the Assembly as a Part.