Insert -> Mirror Components question

I also experienced problems with mirrored assemblies. Being a X-MDT user and having to compensate for feature obsessions, I wrote a SW procedure with a similar concept to compensate for SW's mirrored mates obsessions or lack of determining the same but opposite logic. It works quite well with an unlimited number parts and automatically updates the opposite version. The thing it does well is solid space R.H. and L.H. concept with weldment fabrication, but works well with assemblies also. The thing it does poorly is BOM recognition for those mirror parts (descriptions and numbers).

If this is what you require, I could send you the full procedure when I return to work on 6-27. It's really quite simple, but I want to make sure I fully give all the information.

Keith

Recreating mates when mirroring parts has been a "feature" of Solidworks for years. It has never worked for years ................!! It's been a waste of time for years.

Hey Keith,

If you feel like sharing it with me also, I would appreciate it. Thanks.

Reaper

Mirroring and then expecting the former mates to work is pointless. It should be called "Mirror and Mate Yourself" It has gotten to the point where they have more features that don't work very well than those that do. Their mission statement must have a line buried in there somewhere that states "quantity is more important than quality"

I know, I should give it up.

Kman

Sounds like you could put on a presentation at SW World or one of the regional summits. I'm sure you would get a lot of interest if you did. Put it on in Seattle and I'll go!

Jerry Steiger Tripod Data Systems "take the garbage out, dear"

Keith,

And all this time I thought that it was just me doing something wrong with mirroring. I would also be interested in seeing a copy of your code.

Thanks in advance,

Ed

Well at least it's comforting to see that the problem wasn't just me. Has anyone ever communicated directly with a swx representative on this subject? It seems a rather blatant misrepresentation to say that this feature is functional, given how long it has been.

Bill

It's not perfect and would appreciate anyone's input.

RH & LH Weldment Procedures

Prerequisites for opposite hand weldments, automatically updating all documentation showing?

1.. Added or removed parts and sub-weldments. 2.. New or eliminated machining operations to any parts, sub-weldments or to the base weldment (part & assembly features). 3.. Changed part or sub-weldment orientations or locations (mates). 4.. Proper bill of materials generation for both RH & LH weldment with minimal user intervention or modifications. 5.. All parts and sub-weldments must not be modified, but maintained as separate part and assembly files, allowing for proper documentation and representation.

Since Solidworks ?mirror component? command can not automatically perform all of these requirements, the following procedure will accommodate the above conditions with minimal effort to when creating and modifying RH/LH weldments.

Key points and modification issues?

1.. The base weldment will have all parts and sub-weldments inserted and mated in the RH (right hand) weldment. This will allow future users to know which weldment requires revisions. 2.. The ?Join? feature will be used in the RH weldment to glue all parts and sub-weldment together before mirroring. Future weldment modifications must have the ?Join? feature suppressed before any part or weldment changes and then unsuppressed when done (this is no longer required with the current version of SW). If any parts or sub-weldments were added or removed to the RH weldment, the ?Join? feature needs to be edited and all new components added to the feature?s ?Parts to Join? input. 3.. Solidworks automatically hides parts when creating or editing the ?Join? feature, so one must show and hide parts and sub-weldments before and after modifying the RH weldment.

Steps for LH weldment creation?

1.. A new part will be added to the RH weldment, which will contain nothing via the command ?Insert | Component | New part?. The naming conversion should be the RH weldment number with the wording ?Weldment, RH, Composite? following this number (example: XXXXX-0XXX, weldment, RH, composite). This blank part should be reference to any plane in the RH weldment. Once this part has been added, finish editing it and then re-edit it in place, perform an ?insert | feature | Join? and select all parts and sub-weldments by either the graphics window or feature tree, accept this to finish the command and then finish editing the part. This operation will create one feature in this new part file consisting of a single body comprised from all the original parts and sub-weldments. The original parts and sub-weldments should all be hidden in the RH weldment when this command has been completed and only this new part shown. SAVE! 2.. Perform an ?insert | mirrored components?, select an appropriate face or plane to mirror about and then select the new part (ensure the part?s box is checked). Select ?next?. 3.. The file name should be the RH weldment number with any appropriate suffix and with the wording ?Weldment, LH, Composite? following the number (example: XXXXX-1XXX, weldment, LH, composite). Accept this to finish the new mirrored part. SAVE! 4.. Click on the configurations tab and rename the default configuration to ?RH Weldment?. 5.. Add a new configuration ?LH Weldment? 6.. Ensure the ?LH Weldment? configuration is current, switch to the feature tab and right click the new LH part and select ?Fix?. Right click the RH part and select ?Suppress?. 7.. Now make the ?RH Weldment? configuration current, switch back to the feature tab and right click the LH part and select ?suppress?. SAVE! 8.. Now a single assembly file contains both RH & LH weldments controlled via configurations. Modify any custom and configuration specific properties to properly specify BOM information. SAVE!

Sounds good to read it. Haven't followed along yet in swx. Have you ever delivered a model file like this to a customer and had to splain the procedure to them? Thanks, Bill

No just internal stuff, we don't send much to the outside world. Most of our customers/vendors are still in ACAD, so PDF's and DWG's are all the want. The last thing I usually want is to have our stuff modified outside anyway.