SolidWorks 2011 Assemblies Bible - Matt Lombard [155]
Continuing with the ceiling fan example, the next step is to make these changes happen within DriveWorks Xpress. You can activate DWX by selecting it in the Tools menu. When the Task Pane interface displays, use the Push Pin feature to lock it open. Figure 18.4 shows the DWX Task Pane interface.
FIGURE 18.4
Initiating a new database for your DWX design automation
Creating a database
The secret to DWX's capabilities lies in the use of a database. The database enables DWX to access different kinds of data, which it stores in the database. The data can be directly related to dimensions or other variables from the model, or they can be derived values, such as aspect ratio, or power per pound. In short, the database is simply a place to organize all of the information about the model.
When you start to automate a new design, the Create/Change Database option is selected in the DWX Task Pane. The Active Database field may have a database listed. To select a different database, click the blue right arrow at the top of the DWX Task Pane interface, and browse for an existing file, or name a new one.
The next step is to add models to the database. Any parts or assembly that you want to be controlled by DWX need to be in the database. To add files, click the blue right arrow at the top of the interface again. Figure 18.5 shows the next interface.
In this case, you want to add the ceiling fan model that you already have open, but you could also browse for a different model. Select the method you want for which models to add, and click the blue right arrow again.
FIGURE3 18.5
Adding models to the new database
Capturing models
To get the information in the database organized properly, one of the things that DWX needs to do is to identify the various parts that are involved in the automation. These can be parts that will serve as a source for data or as a target for changing variables. Any SolidWorks document that is referenced by the assembly needs to be captured. The main reason for this is that all the parts in the assembly need to be copied and renamed. In order to do that, you have to write a rule to rename the file, and in order to do that, the file must be listed in the database. Capturing is quick and easy, and you have to do it.
The interface shows the captured model as the ceiling fan assembly. You need each of the individual parts to be captured. Therefore, click the blue Next arrow when you have the Captured Assembly Structure tab activated at the bottom of the interface, as shown in Figure 18.6. You need to click each part individually to allow it to be captured by the DWX database.
FIGURE 18.6
Capturing the models used in the database
Adding features and dimensions
The next step is to start adding features and dimensions that the automation will drive, and you do this by adding specific features and dimensions to the DWX database. DWX doesn't need to know about all of the parametrics or dimensions in the model, it only needs to know about the ones that it will use as inputs or that it will calculate as outputs. Identifying specifically what values you want to change is why you made a specific list earlier for the items that the first goal (number of blades) will change. To do this, click the Dimensions and Features button at the bottom of the interface, and in the graphics window or FeatureManager, find the feature or dimension you want to add. DWX requires that you add a custom name to the feature or dimension.
After you name the feature and click the Add button below the Dimensions and Features list, as shown in Figure 18.7, DWX records the custom name in the list.
FIGURE 18.7
Adding dimensions and features to the list of controlled items
Creating fields for the form
DWX essentially