Category: ASME Standards

SolidWorks 2011 official launch

SolidWorks 2011 launch is now official.  The funny thing about launches is that this doesn’t necessarily mean the product will ship right away.  That comes later.  For this launch, SolidWorks Corp invited a panel of bloggers and journalist to their headquarters in Concord, MA yesterday and today to get a first hand look at SolidWorks 2011.  As a matter of disclosure, my accommodations, travel and most meals for this event are covered by SolidWorks Corp.  No one has made any requests regarding article creation nor content in connection with this event.  Some material (such as images and basic information) was derived from the SolidWorks 2011 What’s New (beta) file.  The content of this article is solely of my discretion.

As with each year, there are a number of enhancements in SolidWorks 2011.  Here are a few, briefly covered.  More detailed articles will follow over the coming month.

Assemblies

Chamfer and weldOne area of note is that SolidWorks now supports fillet and chamfer features within an assembly.  Though these new features can be useful by themselves, their is another feature enhancement that helps set a theme.  Fillet welds will no longer be necessary as components within an assembly.  Instead, simplified weld beads is a new feature that is a simple representation of a weld contained within the assembly itself.  These additions and changes will give users more abilities in adding welds and weld specifications to assemblies and drawings.

Design Checker

Design Checker is one of those functions that has a more stealthy existence in SolidWorks.  Well, maybe not stealthy, but under-utilized.  It is a function that sees incremental improvement each year, but without much fanfare.  In the past, I’ve been a little critical of this function’s lack of functionality.  SolidWorks 2011 has eight enhancements for Design Checker.  The enhancement that I feel is most important is the ability to create standard files (.swstd) from existing SolidWorks file formats.  This is step beyond the Learn Checks Wizard currently available.  This allows the user to create a new set of check rules based on an existing file.

Drawings

Scale on viewFor some reason, SolidWorks never had an automatic way to add a scale label to orthogonal views.  There is a macro (that I helped create) which gives the user a non-dynamic method to add scale.  The limitation of this macro is that if the scale of the view changes, the macro must be re-run.  SolidWorks 2011 now gives the user the ability to add a true scale label to orthogonal views.

The macro may still be of use if there is a need to add pre-established labels to drawing views.  For example, if view is pictorial or isometric, the macro provides a quick way to add that label.

ASME drawing standard

ASME Y14.5 2009I’m not really sure why SolidWorks still calls ASME by the other name ANSI.  The switchover to ASME happened like 20 years ago.  Either way, SolidWorks 2011 claims that it now “supports some of the requirements of ASME Y14.5-2009”.

One of the important areas of support is geometric tolerance symbols.  ASME Y14.5-2009 expanded the role of the ALL OVER modifier to a Profile feature control frame.  With this expansion comes a new symbol (the double circle leader).  Also included are the new Independency symbol (encircled I, which declares an except to Rule #1) and the Continuous Feature symbol (oddly boxed CF, which applies Rule #1 more broadly).

Parts and Features

More end conditions are now available with the Revolve feature: Up to Vertex, Up to Surface, and Offset from Surface.  These can be specified separately in each direction (clockwise and counter-clockwise) of the revolve.  These new end conditions are available in Revolved Boss/Base, Revolved Cut and Revolved Surface.  This allows for better control and more flexibility in the use of Revolve features.

New Revolve end conditions

More enhancements available

These are just a few of the enhancements available in SolidWorks 2011.  The What’s New file for SolidWorks 2011 has a fairly impressive list.  However, none of the improvements this year seem monumental.  I am impressed to see minor improvements continue on the Workgroup PDM product.  There are improvements to Sheet Metal functionality, Motion Studies, and a new Walk-through function to expore or create a video of 3D geometry in large scale designs.  More details will be discussed on later dates.

Product Review: Template Wizard (2010)

Several years ago, I reviewed one of the earliest versions of Template Wizard, published by 3 Dawn Consulting, LLC at SolidWorksTemplates.com.  Template Wizard is an application which fills a gap in SolidWorks functionality by creating the process to automatically generate document templates for drawings, parts and assemblies.  Kevin Van Liere of 3 Dawn Consulting has provided to me a new license of Template Wizard for the purpose of this new review.  This review is my own content without input of others. 

The current version of Template Wizard is refined and more capable.  Template Wizard gives the user the ability to create templates from scratch.  Users may also create drawing templates from AutoCAD generated files.  If the user wishes, they may use it to edit existing SolidWorks drawing templates.

tw2010-1User Interface

Template Wizard is an add-in that runs within the PropertyManager pane inside of SolidWorks.  Selecting settings within the interface is similar to other functions that run within the PropertyManager.  Users create new templates in a 9 step process.  The process starts with a blank drawing sheet and ends with a fully functional templates for drawings, parts and assemblies.  When creating a drawing template, some user interaction with the view pane is required to place objects and anchor points.

Installation

Installation is quick and painless.  Just execute the downloaded install file, then start up SolidWorks.  Template Wizard appears as a pulldown menu.  The user will be prompted to enter a registration code (provided at the time of purchase) the first time before they create a new template.

Workflow

If a user wishes to create new templates, it is recommended that they create a drawing template first.  As mentioned, Template Wizard takes the user through a series of steps.  Once the drawing template is complete, it then allows the user to transfer applicable settings over to new part and assembly templates.

The order of drawing template creation tasks is fairly logical.   The user is prompted at each step:

  1. Drawing size, view projection, standards, units of measure, etc.
  2. Border creation, margins, zones, border layer.  Although Template Wizard does automatically create borders based on user choices, a nice function to include might have been the ability to choose settings that automatically follow standard ISO or ASME borders, based on drawing size.
  3. Title block and custom properties.  Title blocks may be created from existing title blocks or created from scratch using dozens of field blocks.  This step is likely the most complex.
  4. Establish tables and their anchors. This one function by itself may make Template Wizard worth its price.  SolidWorks has anchors that serve as automatic starting points when the user inserts tables onto a drawing.  However, this anchor functionality is somewhat under-documented and hidden.  Template Wizard labels each anchor which allows the user to see where and what they are.tw2101-3
  5. Fonts, bent leader length and tangent edge settings.
  6. Save “Page Design”. One thing that I find confusing is the use of alternative terminology in Template Wizard.  A page design means sheet format.
  7. Establish the “next sheet” variable and save “template design”. “Next sheet” variable is a quirky SolidWorks setting that establishes the drawing template.  Template Wizard uses this variable in a cleaver way to allow drawing templates to utilized a different sheet format for additional sheets of a multi-sheet drawing.
  8. Create part and assembly templates, and the custom properties file. This reduces the effort of creating part and assembly templates down to a push of a button.

Update Wizard

Though I have not tested this functionality, it is important to note that Template Wizard has a function called Update Wizard.  This tool gives the user the power to update the sheet format of a whole bunch of drawings at one time.  The tool even allows the user to find and replace specific text in the same way!

Purchasing options

Template Wizard is available through the SolidWorksTemplates.com website.  Given the value and time-savings potential of Template Wizard, the price of US$295.00 seems reasonable.  Visa and MasterCard are accepted for immediate delivery of the software license.  Paypal, invoice and check are also excepted.

Findings

Template Wizard was created because SolidWorks does not provide a simple method for template creation.  The process in SolidWorks is not well documented nor easily understood by new or some experienced users.  Template Wizard allows the user to bypass the learning curve by providing powerful tools in a fairly straightforward process.  However, even though Template Wizard is a great tool, it is not completely intuitive.

The user should read Template Wizard’s Help file before using it.  Treat the Help file as a tutorial.  The Help file gives the user information they need to make certain choices.  For example, during the Title Block creation step, the user is presented with tons of choices.  Those choices are defined in the Help file under “Pre-Designed Title Blocks” and “Title Block Elements”.  I would like to see this information included within the Template Wizard’s workflow in the form of a preview window or something similar.

Where Template Wizard excels is in the fact that it breaks down the template creation process into a series of steps.  Many of these steps are wonderfully automated, drastically reducing the time it takes to create a template.  It even changes settings in SolidWorks itself to allow the user more flexibility in how they wish to save and use their new templates.  As a byproduct of its workflow, Template Wizard also serves as an education tool.  It teaches the user about what is needed to make sheet formats and templates in SolidWorks.

tw2010--2

Template Wizard’s value comes from the time and effort saved during the creation of SolidWorks templates.   It is not an application that has a high reuse value.   However, I do recommend keeping it installed (but inactive) on SolidWorks.  This will allow the user to make adjustments to their templates over time, as needs change.

Template Wizard is not for that do-it-yourself person whose independent spirit and drive pushes them to create their own template and sheet formats.  It is for the person or company that does not wish to spend a lot time creating, changing or maintaining templates.

I was walking through the metric jungle

Today was a wonderfully sunny day, so I said to myself, “Hey, why not take a stroll through the metric garden.”  (Why do I ask myself such things? Don’t ask me.) The metric stroll should be easy enough, with its scientifically simple base ten measures.  The simple meter is wonderfully divided up into 100’s and 1000’s for convenient lengths of measurement.  It also quickly multiplies into…umm, kilometers.  No one uses hectometers? Oh wait, the French kind of do to derive their hectare.  It’s funny, that hectare isn’t listed in SI.

It’s arbitary

Sure, the imperial foot may have been based on someone’s actual foot length, but it is a useful length for some industries. Its not nearly as arbitary as the meter, which is defined as the distrance that light travels within a vacuum in 1/299792458th of a second. Why does SI use a bizarre fraction to define the core unit of measure for their decimal system?

Maybe base ten numbers aren’t all they are cracked up to be. What, never heard of metric foot? Or for that matter, metric ton, metric inch, or metric mile. Why do all of these units exist? For all the berating that the imperial system gets, the measures within it are based on real world needs. Since ancient times, units very similar to the modern imperial system have been common place. That said, it may be important to note that both SI metric system and imperial system have goofy offshoots.

Missing units!

Hey, what happened to the liter? An entire unit of measure for volume is missing from the international standard! Did aliens abduct the liter for use on their alien world? Well, no. It’s actually very common in the US, if that doesn’t seem ironic. Oh, and don’t get diehards started on a discussion about the correct spelling of meter or liter!

Psst, USA is metric!

Something else that is ironic, the USA has been legally metric since 1866.  So, it’s not true that the USA isn’t metric.  Neither is it true that the rest of the world is 100% metric.  Specific industries, companies, populations and individuals still have the right to choose their standards and measures, both in the USA and elsewhere.  Pipe threads in France are NPT, not the ISO sizes that were meant to replace them.  Pints of bitter are still actual pints in Britain.  Speaking of Britain, I’m reminded of the TV show Top Gear.  Miles, horsepower and inches are so commonly used on that show, I forget that the UK is supposedly metric.

This stroll through the metric garden is starting to look more like a forced hike through the metric jungle.

Rounding of numbers

On most computer systems, decimal numbers that have 5 as the last digit are automatically rounded up when removing a decimal place. This may create a problem.

Some people have a rule that SolidWorks drawings should not have overridden dimension values (Override values).  I generally agree.  Yet, there are several legitimate reasons to use Override values.  One major reason is for proper rounding of linear dimensions for removed digits after the decimal.  Currently, SolidWorks offers no option that allows the user to automatically round dimension numbers in a way that is consistent with current industry standards and practices.

SOLIDWORKS 2015 now has several rounding options that follow the rules below.  More information, please see SOLIDWORKS What’s New Rounding article.

Rounding rule for dimensions

On most computer systems, decimal numbers that have 5 as the last digit are automatically rounded up when removing a decimal place.  For example, the number 1.425 rounds up to 1.43.  This creates a problem.  Most standards require that such numbers are rounded to the nearest even number in the last decimal place.  For example, that number 1.425 should be rounded to 1.42, and 1.435 should be rounded to 1.44.

ASTM E 29 states:

6.4.3 When the digit next beyond the last place to be retained is 5, and there are no digits beyond this 5, or only zeros, increase by 1 the digit in the last place retained if it is odd, leave the digit unchanged if it is even. Increase by 1 the digit in the last place retained, if there are digits beyond this 5.

NASA’s Engineering Drawing Standards Manual states:

When the first digit discarded is exactly 5, followed only by zeros, the last digit retained (i.e., the digit preceding the 5…) should be rounded upward if it is an odd number, but no adjustment made if it is an even number. For example, 4.365, when rounded to three significant digits, becomes 4.36. The number 4.355 would also round to the same value, 4.36, if rounded to three significant digits.  This procedure is known as odd-even rounding.

It is my understanding that this rule helps reduce statistical bias by allowing different numbers to be rounded up or down.  Using the computer default rule (5 is always rounded up) only allows for the upward rounding of such numbers.  This can create greater statistical errors, particularly when compounding rounded numbers to derive further rounded numbers.

Rounding as it affects tolerances

No rule is absolute.  There are other considerations when rounding.  A number should never be rounded so that it increases the original limits of a dimension.  Although this rule mostly applies to inspection techniques, it can also apply to specification.  For example, if there is a feature whose size limits are 1.255-1.275, the specification cannot be rounded so its limits are 1.25-1.28.  In such a case where rounding occurs, the specification limits should be 1.26-1.27.  Fortunately, this isn’t something that often occurs in mechanical design (though it does pop up when trying to apply dual dimensions).

Usually, rounding the limits is something that more often happens in quality assurance during incoming inspection of products.  In such cases, Interpretation of Limits rule from ASME Y14.5 declares limits are absolute.  For example, 12.25 MAX is the same as 12.2500000000000000 MAX.  If the feature measurement is 12.2540, that measurement should not be rounded to 12.25, as it is still out of tolerance because it exceeded 12.25.

SolidWorks should supports more rounding options

Right now, SolidWorks does offer one rounding option for dimensions.  In documents options, there is a setting to round numbers to the nearest fraction, but only if fractional numbers are in use.  I would like to see other rounding options supported, but not a document option.  SolidWorks should have a setting added to the dimension PropertyManager that allows the user to establish a rounding rule for a particular dimension.  For each dimension, users should have a choice to use the odd-even rounding rule, nearest fraction rounding rule (only when fractional numbers are in use) or always round 5 up rule.  This shouldn’t just be for drawings.  It should also be available in the model because they are often used as part of the product definition and because dimensions in the model can be inserted into a drawing.

For now, one can use Override values on the drawing.  The drawback to this is that Override values do not automatically update if there is a change to the associated model geometry.

So, this sounds like this issue should be yet another Enhancement Request.

As of SOLIDWORKS 2015, there are several options for numerical rounding which are available.

  • Round half away from zero, where the only digit being removed is 5, then round the last remaining digit away from zero.
  • Round half towards zero, where the only digit being removed is 5, then round the last remaining digit towards zero.
  • Round half to even, where the only digit being removed is 5, then round the last remaining digit so that it is an even number.
  • Truncate without rounding, where any and all digits being removed have no effect on the last remaining digit.

There is also an option to only apply alternative round methods to dimensions, with the setting Only apply rounding method to dimensions.  When this setting is checked, round half away from zero method is applied to all system and properties values, but the alternative rounding method (round half towards zero, round half to even or truncate without rounding) is applied specifically to dimensions.  Without this option checked, the chosen rounding method applies everywhere in SOLIDWORKS.

To account for dual dimensioning issues, tolerance rounding includes an option to fit the secondary unit’s tolerance range so that it does not extend outside of the primary unit’s tolerance range.  To use this capability, goto Tools > Options > Document Properties > Dimensions and click on Tolerance button. In the Tolerance dialog, check the option Inward rounding of secondary unit tolerance extents. 

Plug for Enhancement Requests

In past articles, I’ve mentioned some enhancement requests (ER’s) for SolidWorks.  Most (All?) of the enhancement requests I’ve made are now SPR’s, which are slated for some action at some time in the future.  To get the ball rolling on these requests, I’d like to invite others to vote for these changes in the Customer Portal.  I’m not going to provide links to my requests, as they wouldn’t work anyway with the Customer Portal’s java script.   I will mention a brief description of each change, and bold keywords which may be used to easily find the open SPR’s in the Customer Portal.  These are my requests, many of which I’ve talked about prior to submitting them to the ER system.

  • Support new ASME Y14.5-2009 symbols on drawings and models.
  • Option to force captilization (note the misspelling) of annotation notes on drawings (original article).
  • Add CR (Controlled Radius) symbol (original article).
  • Support External Threads as an actual feature similar to Hole Wizard (original article).
  • and a new one (no SPR yet), the ability to auto insert angle dimensions and values in sketch mode, just as we can already do with linear dimensions.  (This was inspired by a recent article by Deelip Menezes, in which he apparently misjudged SolidWorks dimension capabilities in sketch mode, but ended up finding a good candidate for an ER anyway.)

I have other SPR’s, but these are the ones that are actually enhancement related (as opposed to bugs or workflow annoyances).  Please visit the Customer Portal soon.  Choose “Enhancement Requests”.  In the ER search field, enter the bolded keyword(s) for each of the requests above.  Then pick and vote for the associated SPR.

Stump the Chumps submission form

See if you can stump the chumps with your SolidWorks questions at our session in SolidWorks World 2010:

Stump the Chumps question submission form

Also, if you have files to submit as part of your question, please email your question and files to stumpthechumps@gmail.com.