Complex CAD Model

[[Lo...]]

Any particular advice on loading complex cad models? Took about 1 hr to load and its been healing for over 3 hours (still not finished). Prior to healing I couldn't select features on the model when clicking.

[[Mi...]]

What format are you loading? Are you letting Calypso do the translation? I convert all my models to .sat in Solid Works prior to loading into Calypso and have never seen a time issue or have had to heal a model.

[[Ja...]]

I had a model of a complex part that was made up of a stack of sheet metal parts staked together. It was slowing things down. I modified the model by deleting all but one part in the stack and then made the depth of that equal to the original stack height. I did that in a CAD program outside of Calypso before loading the model into Calypso. You don't have a model like that do you? My worst model still only took minutes to load. You likely have other issues going on.

[[Ma...]]

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On large models like that I typically do what Michael is describing. I open it in Solidworks and convert it to a .sat format, especially if it is an iges model.

Mark

[[Me...]]

To add to what has already been posted...

You should never heal a model unless absolutely necessary to use the geometry in Calypso, and then you should double check it against the original model. When you heal a model it can change the nominal geometry of the CAD model. This isn't usually a noticeable issue with prismatic features, but if you have any sort of freeform/compounds surfaces I would not recommend it.

I almost always convert to .sat in either Catia/Solidworks and import or use direct translation with a license to the CAD package. Then I use Combine Cad Features and Merge Faces with Same Geometry and program away.

Robert

[[Am...]]

What type of file is the CAD? An hour to load is crazy, how big is the part and is it an assembly? I've never had an issue with complex models, but I also haven't had any bigger then 20". I convert all my files to .sat or .step in solidworks. You can contact Zeiss and get the ability to load different file types if needed there is a ton available but you do have to pay for it.

[[Lo...]]

We mostly use .stp files for loading into the offline seat. Files are created with NX (.prt files). Part is a 2ft steel plate with over 300 very complex shaped forms on it.

[[No...]]

The physical size of a part is irrelevant for loading time, as size is only a scaling factor. So a cube with a length of 5 lightyears doesn't load any slower than an atom-sized cube. The only thing that matters is the number and complexity of surfaces.
Do you happen to know if there is any additional design information left in the model? Our designers often leave design surfaces and curves in the model, stored in invisible layers. If that is the case, try leaving out out that information in the CAD settings (converter settings).

[[Ch...]]

I have another question to SAT converter Settings.

To convert models from Creo to SAT, I wonder which settings are to use. Does Anyone have experience how to setup the SAT export to obtain best quality?
According to Creo Export Settings, there is nothing about Quality. Only to select Version: 4, 5, 6, 7

[[Me...]]

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In order to use .sat files, do we have to a license for that? I used them at my last shop and wanted to at my current job but the last time I tried to use .sat, it didn't work.

[[No...]]

Depends on which CAD package you use. If ACIS is the native CAD core, then *.sat comes for free (as with Calypso). According to Wikipedia, AutoCAD uses the ACIS core. Solidworks uses the Parasolid core, so I guess that means *.sat would need a license. But I use neither of the two.

[[Da...]]

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No additional license is needed for that. I open .sat exported from Solidworks with no problem.

[[Wi...]]

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Ive taken 2 advance classes from zeiss and both teach to heal the model... ive never had any trouble with it