An Alternative to Downloading & Re-inserting CAD Models: Better Conveyor Design Software

Throughout the entireconveyor designprocess, changes are inevitably required or requested, updates need implementing, and rework of the master assembly is needed. Usingbetter conveyor design softwarefrom Glide-Line, with just a few clicks, you’re able to reconfigure the conveyor applications in your master assembly and have instantly updated models, part numbers, and pricing using an in-context configurator. The best part? It’s free to use.

Let’s dive in to show you how you’re able toconfigure conveyor assembly processesmore efficiently usingthis conveyor design softwarecalled IMPACT!.

Updates to Mates & References

Setting up the right mates and references is obviously a good practice. It allows designers to design the system, make changes, and keep equipment in the proper relation to itself. When doing this, designers with complex models in an in-context configurator seesignificant conveyor design time savingswhen changes are requested.

One of the drawbacks of most conveyor configurators or vendor-provided CAD models is the fact that models aredifficult to modify. Withconfigurableconveyor CAD models, a designer can change variables associated with the new overall design and not have to “blow up” previous mates and references and go through the process of obtaining new blocks and starting from scratch.Using an in-context configurator, with just a few clicks, the model changes within the context of your design.

The more complex your overall master assembly, the more important these existing mates and references are. The more deletions, re-modeling, re-downloading and re-insertions you implement, the more time the process takes. We designed our models, and our configurator, to be configurablewithinthe SOLIDWORKS environment in order tosave design engineers significant timeduring the change management phase.

IMPACT! IN ACTION

Making use of mate references within Glide-Line’s in-context configurator saves time with driven models, which are set up to allow easy alignment in your SOLIDWORKS assemblies.

To activate these within SOLIDWORKS, hold down the ALT key when inserting models from IMPACT!. You’ll be able to locate pallets, conveyor legs, and other conveyor pieces precisely – and alter them simply when changes are required.

Changes to Application Demands

Using IMPACT!, when a design engineer receives the concept model from an applications engineer, it’s simple for him or her to open the original concept and tweak theconveyor layoutto meet the exact system requirements. It’s incredibly flexible; one millimeter increments in positioning legs, cross members, drive locations, conveyor splice points (and much, much more) allow designers to defineexactlywhat theautomated conveyor systemneeds.

If a client’s demand for the conveyor application changes (weight, rate, sizes, etc), an in-context configurator allows a design engineer to easily check the conveyor system’s capacity. Then, if the system is unable to accommodate the application demand change, it’s simple to update the conveyor system mechanical components using IMPACT! and apply the new demand information.

For example, if a client’s product manufacturing process changed and the product now needs to use a steel fixture instead of aluminum, the product weight requirements could double. Using IMPACT!, a design engineer can open the current design and change the weight to see if the system can support the added weight. If not, IMPACT! will tell the engineer that a larger motor or gearbox may be needed. This critical information is calculated in the software, rather than relying on manual fact-checking, or checking with vendors, throughout the change process.

IMPACT! will tell the engineer when a different part or updated measurement is needed based on newly applied changes, automating fact-checking.

When a design engineer receives the concept model from the sales and apps team, the first priority is diving into the details. You ensure the legs, motors, guarding, and other parts all fit into the master assembly harmoniously with the automation equipment in the system, and double check details – even down to whether or not the system is able to fit through the factory doors for installation!

Using IMPACT!, all the details are accounted for when changes are implemented. You and your team stay on the same page and avoid hours of reworking, rechecking, and resubmitting to a manufacturer to get updated information. It’s all completed with the click of your mouse and then applied in your SOLIDWORKS model.