Premodeling
Basic Concepts
- set up new folder for new projects
- set up templates
- place all files into the same hierachy (not on individual desktops)
- part files and assembly files should be descriptive
- set up a release mechanism
- pick a revision scheme - alphanumeric etc
- set up templates to support entry of information
- determine the most important files - the drawings themselves?
Along the Way
- ensure unique filenames
- because of file referencing, want to ensure unique filenames, otherwise may load up the wrong file first
- choose unique and descriptive names, particularly if you are using a vault
- add the project name or identifier to a file to that you can have multiple brackets, plates, covers
- consider the distincition between part numbers and drawing numbers. They don't have to be the same
- consider numbering sequentially
- consider numbering structured, by setting in a drawing number assignment tree
- consider folders for design, manufacture, fabrication
- decide on your revision scheme. Is the first release to archive "A" or "NC."?
- library parts for purchased components
- built new fasteners for each project, or share across organization
- provide access to fabricators to native files
- provide access to purchasing agents to native files
- set up templates to work with your files and your vault
- ensure that there is only one number, regardless of the tool used
- consider minor and major revisions
- set up features and properties to work with tool and vaulting software
- address how you want to handle configurations (different parts in the same file)
- address how you want to handle table driven parts (many, many different parts in the same file)
- address how to handle purchased, custom components
- preplan any construction geometry you may need, say for 3d sketches that don't run along the orthogonal standard planes
Techniques
- number consecutively, or number by hierachy
- number assembly 0000, level down 000, one more 00, and parts X and XX
- consider part numbers versus drawing numbers
- use a PDM/vaulting system
- PDMWorks requires unique filenames per extension
- set up project schematic or drawing tree
- set up weight as a property for your part template if you have weight critical applications. The value can be used for BOMs.
- set up default notes for different fabrication processes. They could be stored in the library for future reference.
- set up your own material databases for materials commonly used at your facility
- decide how you want to handle configurations where you could create multiple distinct parts and drawings from one part.
- evaluate the benefit of having shared toolbox fasteners in a multi-collaboration environment. It may be better to convert the fasteners and save them as individual parts.
- set up folders for purchased parts and fasteners
