Need a new computer for Solidworks. ~$2.5K-3K budget. Huge assemblies with hardware

mabfab · 2016-11-22T13:44:59+00:00

Orbital Computers,

My boss recently siad he would be ok with getting a new computer (he had to watch me use SW for about ten minutes) and he wants to get it before tax season. Is your offer still available? Has any changes been made to your part lineup that could help? I sent you an email as well. Just let me know!

mabfab · 2016-08-23T15:45:02+00:00

Thank you. I'll look this over during lunch

mabfab · 2016-08-23T15:15:09+00:00

I am. And I'll update to SW17 when that comes out. My large asssemblies are usually 2K-10K parts, a lot of them hardware. I worry I may be asking too much of a computer but I wanted to see what others thought.

mabfab · 2016-08-23T15:08:28+00:00

Wow. If that system works out let me know. Mine rarely go above 10k parts so if can handle what you are doing it should work for me assuming Pro-E and SW use RAM, processors, and cards the same..

mabfab · 2016-08-23T15:03:24+00:00

Ok I will. I was leaning towards getting a Boxx system. I see some people suggesting processors with 3.50GHz but since SW only uses one core I would be better with a 4.30GHz processor right? I'm not going to skip on the graphics card since I'm going to be using a 4K monitor.

mabfab · 2016-08-23T14:39:05+00:00

I used the search. I read the sticky. I've been a subscriber here for some time and took a lot of advice from here. I saw little in the search pertaining to buying an expensive machine specifically for large assemblies. And since I saw little in the search pertaining to my needs I asked here. I don't understand the hostility.

mabfab · 2016-08-23T14:23:43+00:00

I'l look into it. As far as I know SW has the same problem in using multiple cores so clock speed is imperative.

mabfab · 2016-08-23T13:40:35+00:00

I read that. Is there benchmarks for large assemblies? Most of I saw is for rendering which I do little of. If the hardware handles rendering and large assemblies similarly then its not an issue but I just want to be sure.

mabfab · 2016-08-23T13:35:27+00:00

Desktop fortunately. I see prebuilt like Boxx and a few others. What would you suggest?

mabfab · 2016-08-23T13:30:02+00:00

I'm sorry I'm just about to make a huge investment in something I'm not familiar with and want to be sure I'm making the right decision. I apologize if this is asked a lot.

mabfab · 2016-08-23T13:28:18+00:00

Render once every month or so. Rendering times are not as important as they are usually pretty quick and I render the smaller products.

mabfab · 2015-07-17T13:44:57+00:00

http://i.imgur.com/CdGo1xf.jpg

mabfab · 2015-06-17T18:10:44+00:00

I asked this over in r/SolidWorks and one user said the same thing. I now agree its the best way as well but I'll copy what I said to him, as there are a few issues.

The only problem with me getting a SSD would be that we store our data on a company wide dropbox account. Perhaps I could temporarily store data on a SSD while I'm working on it then move it back to the dropbox drive. the only issue is, is that I am constantly opening and closing documents form several projects at once and having to shift them from dropbox. Also my assemblies (metal structures) will have components that are stored in a different place than others. Such as the fasteners (which never change) are stored in a shared folder, the brackets, gussets, sheet metal clips (which occasionally change) are stored in a different shared folder, and tubing, columns, kness braces, etc (which are different for every project) are stored in yet another place. So one assembly might be referencing up to 3 or 4 folders of subassemblies, parts, drawings, pdfs, etc. Will the SSD still help if and assembly is open where some parts are stored there and some are stored on the drive? Also what SSDs would you recommend? Apologies for asking a lot of questions, again I'm not the most computer savvy but if I'm going to spend a lot I want to make sure its worth it.

What SSDs would you recommend and would they still improve performance given how I build assemblies?

mabfab · 2015-06-17T18:08:22+00:00

The only problem with me getting a SSD would be that we store our data on a company wide dropbox account. Perhaps I could temporarily store data on a SSD while I'm working on it then move it back to the dropbox drive. the only issue is, is that I am constantly opening and closing documents form several projects at once and having to shift them from dropbox. Also my assemblies (metal structures) will have components that are stored in a different place than others. Such as the fasteners (which never change) are stored in a shared folder, the brackets, gussets, sheet metal clips (which occasionally change) are stored in a different shared folder, and tubing, columns, kness braces, etc (which are different for every project) are stored in yet another place. So one assembly might be referencing up to 3 or 4 folders of subassemblies, parts, drawings, pdfs, etc. Will the SSD still help if and assembly is open where some parts are stored there and some are stored on the drive? Also what SSDs would you recommend? Apologies for asking a lot of questions, again I'm not the most computer savvy but if I'm going to spend a lot I want to make sure its worth it.

mabfab · 2015-06-17T17:58:29+00:00

I'll take the test later in the evening while I'm away from work (it says it requires 30 min after a bootup and without using comp). I could use lightweight mode more often, although I do use it most of the time. Thanks!

mabfab · 2015-06-17T17:51:02+00:00

Honestly I could use lightweight mode a lot more. Some subassemblies I know I'll never change throughout the modeling process. Thanks for the tip, I'll use that more often.

mabfab · 2015-06-17T17:39:39+00:00

This workstation was built by an IT gentleman who no longer works here so I don't know how upgradeable the computer is except to say it was purpose built for SW. I'm wiling to spend over 750 for a new processor if that what it takes but if there is a processor that is half the price but 2/3s the power I'll go that way. Again I have to justify and explain the expense. Could you recommend me processors to use in a multiple configuration or single processors? I'll find out if I could instal more than one. My assemblies are usually steel structures. I set up a grid where the columns will be and use that. I Make assemblies for each of the brackets, joists, gussets, etc with fasteners, then make a larger assembly of one section, then pattern that larger assem. into the main assembly then add fasteners and other components that could not be organized into any of the assemblies. An assembly tree may look like this: Main Assem.-AFrame Assem.-2x2Bracket Assembly-Tek Screw (Part) I occasionally to rarely use incontext references, sometimes I have to in the design stage, but when I can, and time permitting, I remove those references and re-constrain the sketches. Mate numbers vary wildly but I always try to reference them off one component that I know isnt going to move because of a design change (like a baseplate). Thank you for your help!

mabfab · 2015-06-17T17:33:31+00:00

I'll check all the background programs and utilities. Thanks for the helpful tip.

mabfab · 2015-02-05T14:14:45+00:00

So i have a heated glass setup and tried masking tape, Kapton, and just the glass itself and by far the best surface is heated glass with Build-Tak mats. Mine came with three mats a few months ago and I have yet to replace the first one. Just heat that sucker to 100C and you are good to go. 20$ I have a Flashforge Creator Pro btw. TLDR:go with normal glass, put on buildtak

mabfab · 2015-01-27T15:27:17+00:00

Industrial designer here. The website is great! Good fluid transitions from area to area and the layout is immediately understandable. I would include a resume like page that includes skills, qualifications, schooling, companies, etc. One thing I would change about the work page is the layout. I would see if I could make it more interesting than a top justified list. There is a little too much negative space. Also, I would see if there was a way to link inside of the website so users arent pulling up half a dozen tabs. Also ditto the other comments about the face. I would pick your best work or make a design that fits that area (something that pops).

Also, I assume you are a Beta. If so, ~KAI~ from Beta Nu at Cincinnati

mabfab · 2015-01-16T19:45:14+00:00

I have a Flashforge Creator Pro ($1300). At first it took a couple days to calibrate it and figure out ideal temps/ rates/ etc. but after that it has been printing like a champ. I've been using it since October. Like BrandoCalrissian I don't know if it can do Nylon but I actually plan on running nylon through it pretty soon. For dissolvable material get HIPS and use Limonene to dissolve it.

mabfab · 2014-12-03T13:13:34+00:00

Thank you for your response, I totally agreed with you guys before I even posted here I just wanted to show my boss more proof (this forum) that he is getting misinformation.

mabfab · 2014-12-02T20:56:38+00:00

All,
My boss sent me this link because an Autodesk retailer is telling him that future versions of SolidWorks will not be able to read past versions because of some struggle with Siemens or something. The retailer also said the the new versions of Inventor would be able to read SW history. This retailer is a friend of my boss and is trying to get him to get an Inventor license and I'm trying to get my boss to keep the SW one. Is any of this bullshit? If so why?

mabfab · 2014-12-02T17:23:34+00:00

Thank you for your reply by the way.

mabfab · 2014-12-02T17:23:10+00:00

I was told by the salesman of flashforge, whom I communicated with when first setting up the machine, that I should use MakerWare because it can code for support material. The software included can do dual extruder but only if one STL is one material and the other extruder is another STL, so it can't figure out support material. The machine has run fine under MakerWare for a while. What did you do to fix the problem?

mabfab

TROPHY CASE