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SOLIDWORKS ELECTRICAL

Creation of PLC in library of SOLIDWORKS ELECTRICAL

Creating a PLC in SOLIDWORKS ELECTRICAL SCHEMATICS and customizing the PLC according to our requirement.

And it can be added in the schematic diagrams for connections to the symbols like relay, Contactors, sensors, signals etc….

                     Creation of PLC has few steps to follow once the PLC is created, we can able to use the same PLC specifications for connections in the SOLIDWORKS ELECTRICAL SCHEMATICS

STEP 1

  • To create a PLC first it must store in the library. Once it is created it will be always present inside unless until it is manually deleted
  • To create a PLC as shown in the below image first have to goto Library -> Manufacturer part management.

STEP 2

Manufacturer part management

  • Once the above points done.
  • Manufacturer part management will consist of more number classifications(folders). In which all components are separated and kept in a different folder.
  • Once PLC folder is selected only PLC related already presented manufacturer will be shown at the right side of the manufacturer part management tab.
  • With the option ADD MANUFACTURER PART is selected new PLC can be added. And details to be filled in a different tab.

STEP 3

New PLC details adding

  • Once the above points done.
  •  A Manufacturer part properties tab will be opened.
  • In this section three options will be present PROPERTIES, USER DATA, CIRCUIT, TERMINALS
  • In the properties tab details like reference and manufacturer should be filled compulsory and scrolling down the tab there will be another few specifications like height, weight, frequencies, supplier name etc…to be filled manually which are optional.

STEP 4

Specifications of Circuit, Terminal

  • With continuation of above points
  • Third option is the CIRCUIT, TERMINAL option where the circuite types can be added
  •  At the top circuit, terminal option will be present near to the properties tab.
  • In this tab, circuits can be added with ADD option.
  • If multiple circuits to be added that can be done with ADD MULTIPLE option as shown in the image below

STEP 5

Add Multiple Circuits

  • As shown in the image below multiple circuits can be added in a easy and fast way.
  • All circuits type are present in the scroll down. Based on our requirement circuits can be selected.

Summary

  • With these above-mentioned points we can able to create a PLC in a solidworks electrical.
  • Once these points are completed new PLC will be created which will also be present in solidworks electrical library.

3DEXPERIENCE Exchange – Import and Export Package

3DEXPERIENCE Exchange

Let us see how we can Import and Export Package with 3DEXPERIENCE Exchange.

Collaborating together with users outside of your company has always been better! Assembly files can be easily bundled into a single package file by using the Export as a Package capability. You can share this file with third-party suppliers so you can track and get back their modifications. Even the files that are editable within the package can be restricted.

Similar to SOLIDWORKS Pack and Go, but with more ease of use as well as integration with 3DEXPERIENCE Platform products, is this capability.

How to Export as Package:

1. In 3DEXPERINCE SOLIDWORKS, open the assembly file you would like to share with External Stack Holder.

2. To save, pick Tools from the 3DEXPERIENCE tab on the right, choose Export, and then select Export as Package.

pick Tools from the 3DEXPERIENCE tab on the right

3. On the launch of the export window, you have the option to mark assemblies and components as read-only or editable for whoever you are sharing data with

4. Following that, providing the package a name and choose Export. The 3DEXPERIENCE Platform permits you to save the package file (.sldpkg) locally or to 3DDrive.

the package a name and choose Export

How to Import as Package with 3DEXPERIENCE Exchange for SOLIDWORKS:

1. Initially ensure certain SOLIDWORKS' "3DEXPERIENCE Exchange" Add-in is activated.

Initially ensure certain SOLIDWORKS' "3DEXPERIENCE Exchange" Add-in is activated.

2. Select the 3DEXPERIENCE Exchange tab on task plane, then pick Import Package.

3. To open the ".sldpkg" file that you received, click the "Open" icon in the "Import Package" Window. A working folder will be created when importing this package, and its default path will be taken automatically.

 To open the ".sldpkg" file that you received, click the "Open" icon in the "Import Package" Window. A working folder will be created when importing this package, and its default path will be taken automatically

4. The window on the right will display the files that are read-only or unchanged when the package has been imported.

The window on the right will display the files that are read-only or unchanged when the package has been imported

5. The window on the right will display the files that are read-only or unchanged when the package has been imported.

Export Package:

Once you've decided to send the updated package back to the the sender, select Package, Export. The revised ".sldpkg" file can be saved from here on and forwarded to the 3DEXPERIENCE user you are collaborating with.

How to utilize the 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Revisions Update

In the SOLIDWORKS My Session Task Pane of 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS, new revisions are created, and the old revision's files are immediately updated. When reference components are updated on the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform after the assembly has been downloaded, they continue appearing in the Task Pane as the previous revision. This lesson demonstrates the many approaches to revising these components.

Update Revisions:

Right-click a component in the My Session Task Pane that has a newer revision available, then select Replace by Revision. Three choices are available: 

  1. Clicking Replace by Revision brings up a new dialogue box with all the reference component revisions that might be selected.
  2. Connecting just the component's most recent revision and replacing it with the Latest Revision.
  3. Reference components that include child references are the only ones for which Update Revisions is functional. (Components from which another component has derived parts or contextual connections)

When a file is replaced by a different revision while still showing as updated in the Task Pane (Save icon), a warning message is displayed. The message informs the reader that the locally cached version of the changed component will be replaced. If you choose to disregard this warning, all changes you have made to the file will be destroyed. If necessary, back up your data beforehand. 

Latest Revisions Update:

A dialogue box displaying the whole assembly structure and a drop-down list next to each component will come up when the Update Revision option is selected on a top-level assembly. By doing so, we may link the most recent revision of a few components simultaneously instead of having to perform each one separately as indicated earlier. You have the following options:

  1. Replacing a component with the most recent revision available.
  2. Replacing a component with the most recent stable revision takes it back to its most recent frozen or released lifecycle stage.
  3. Replace with Most Recent Released Revision: Replace a component exclusively with the most recent revision to be made public.

Note: The option Replace by Latest Revision will be the only one available if there are only unreleased versions.

Update All with the Latest Revision:

It is not necessary to choose an option from the drop-down menu next to each component in order to update all components to the most recent revision. To accomplish this, choose Replace All from the drop-down menu that appears next to it in the dialog's top right corner. There are just three options available. The most recent revision will be instantly updated across all components by doing this. Accept the changes by clicking OK.

In the My Session Task Pane's Lifecycle tab, which is located at the bottom, you can find all the settings mentioned above.

The 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS update revisions lesson is now complete. Are you interested in finding out more about the 3DEXPERIENCE Platform and SOLIDWORKS Browse the articles provided below.

SOLIDWORKS Imported Model File Size Reduction

ARTICLE

This tech tip explains how to use three easy methods to minimize the file size of an imported electrical component in SOLIDWORKS.

Let's face it: we live in a three-dimensional world. This reality also applies to electrical design, which is primarily done in 2D design programs like SOLIDWORKS Electrical Schematic. On paper, a symbol could be brief and little, but when it's fastened to a frame, it becomes meaningful. When really strung out in an assembly, a wire that is only sketched a few inches on a print can be many meters long.

IMPORTED FILE EXAMPLE

Additional tools are needed to capture an electrical design, such as SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D. To get the most out of the software, precise 3D models of all electrical components are required. These models are usually straight out of the factory, but there's a catch: the file format is almost certainly neutral, similar to IGES, STEP, or Parasolid.

There may be some issues with this, particularly in relation to file size. Your assemblies may get significantly heavier if you import model files directly. As an illustration, consider the time I just spent looking through a parts catalog for a CompactLogix PLC controller. I downloaded the model after finding what I required.

Here's what I obtained:

This STEP file has to be smaller

SOLIDWORKS File Size Reduction

To minimize the file size of an imported model in SOLIDWORKS, follow these three steps:

Step 1: Save as. SLDPRT.

The neutral file that a manufacturer provides frequently includes an entire assembly instead of just a part file, depending on the manufacturer. However, we intend to buy this rather than assemble it. I always say, one part number, one file! Therefore, the first thing to do is to save our assembly as a part file in order to simplify it:

When the imported assembly is open, select File > Save As and enter "Part (*.prt, *. sldprt)" in the "Save as Type" field. Unless you adore surface bodies, make sure you choose "Exterior components" or "All components" for "Geometry to Save."

File size as of right now: 364 KB

STEP 2: Combine All the Bodies

There are a lot of distinct bodies in this part file, which is an improvement. The functionality of our SOLIDWORKS assemblies can still be significantly impacted by these. We can use the Combine feature to combine all the solids into a single body, further simplifying the process!

File size as of right now: 276 KB

STEP 3: Export & Re-Import

To continue moving forward, this sounds a lot like taking two steps back, doesn't it? However, there are instances in which it's actually quite helpful to import a file again. A file loses its feature history when it is exported to a neutral file format. Because of this, the file becomes less complex and smaller in size.

File size as of right now: 273 KB

It is highly recommended to save a file as a Parasolid file type when exporting a file in this manner. The Parasolid modelling kernel, upon which SOLIDWORKS is based, virtually eliminates the possibility of anything breaking. Reimport the file after it has been exported by choosing File>Open in SOLIDWORKS and navigating to the file. The new low file size indicates that the new part file has only one straightforward body.

Final File

Final File Size: 133 KB

We were able to convert a 364KB file that would have caused performance issues in our electrical assemblies into a much smaller, more manageable 133 KB file in just three easy steps. What an alteration!

We could actually take it a step further if we so desired. The file size would be further reduced by decreasing the number of external faces and edges a model has (by removing text and filling the hollow interior with a solid). But the modelling process would be much more involved, and you would not get much return on your time investment.

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