Comments on: 5 Slick Ways To Improve SolidWorks Large Assembly Performance

By: Alex Henry

Alex Henry — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:22:52 +0000

I am having an extremely difficult time with a major assembly of ours. I have just implemented a “SIMPLIFIED” configuration in a lot of the sub assemblies where I manually suppress the fasteners. this has improved the speed a bit.

I have not tried to use Utilities yet, but will you let you know the success of this

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:09:44 +0000

To improve working with large assemblies with multiple configurations you could try working with Display States instead. Display states do not require a rebuild when changing between them whereas configurations do. This could save you a fair bit of time. Its best to use configurations when the geometry changes but if its turning on and off parts, just use display states.

Dont forget in SolidWorks Utilities (in office pro) there is a Simplify feature that simplifies Assemblies and gives them a derived configuration of all the parts and the assembly itself. Do this on your sub assemblies to get rid of any fillets and small features you dont need to see on your main assembly.

By: Sivasayanth

Sivasayanth — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 15:26:28 +0000

Hi Josh

this is very useful document for as a mechanical engineering
so Thanks a lot Josh

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 19:23:22 +0000

Rod, weldments… are so nice. Once you know how to use them, which isn’t hard, it opens a lot of possibilities for how you model things. definitely check it out.

By: Rod Uding

Rod Uding — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:42:17 +0000

I learned a new method from one of Barry-Wehmiller International Resources division contractors we have working for us. They use weldments to generate a lot of stuff. The guy is designing a new machine for us and one of the big items that chews up the assembly is piping. He did all the piping for the machine in a weldment as a SINGLE PART. I am going to go back through the help file and read up on weldments!!!!

By: Josh

Josh — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:43:58 +0000

Good Tip on the Task Scheduler. I haven’t tried doing that one because I use a macro that does that and matches up all the configs. requires a walk as well.

I actually abhor working in lightweight, maybe I don’t do it right. Part of why I do the above is because I work in large assemblies so often it makes it easier when there’s a good structure and process to the assembly.

Working in lightweight can be used additionally, I do use it sometimes when I don’t want things loading, but when you have to open that top assembly that show everything and spit out a BOM, lightweight won’t be an option.

By: Devon T. Sowell

Devon T. Sowell — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 19:23:28 +0000

Here’s another way to make new friends and impress the Boss;

Use the SolidWorks Task Scheduler to ‘Update Associated Files’, Select the Top Level File and your’re stylin’.

While this runs, I like to go for a nice relaxing walk.

When the Task is completed, make sure the Boss is standing next to you when you Open the top-level file. He’ll be happier than a tornado in a trailer park.
Cheers,
Devon

By: Devon T. Sowell

Devon T. Sowell — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 18:59:17 +0000

Hi Josh-

I do this; I pat my head, rub my tummy, spin around in my chair, and Open Lightweight.

Devon