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Using Alibre toolbox

MOKSTech

MOKSTech

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Hello!

As a former SW user learning Alibre, I'm having some difficulties understanding toolbox.
I'm able to create my own toolbox components, but when inserting them to assembly through toolbox, I have to save Alibre part file of the fastener again everytime I insert them.
Is it correct that I have to save the file everytime? Where should I keep them?


Thanks
 
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Save them wherever makes sense - that could be
* in a folder with the rest of the project
* in a Standard Parts folder (so you can re-use in the project and elsewhere)
* if using PDM, in a Library

Just because the same name is used as for something in SW, don't expect the functionality to be identical. My understanding (reported by others, not by direct experience) is that SW Toolbox is more like a Library of Standard Parts that is held centrally, whereas Alibre Toolbox is a device to easily generate a part which you decide where to store.
 
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Comparing the SolidWorks Toolbox to Alibre's Toolbox, I actually like Alibre's much more due to the fact it pushes me to save the component into my project folder, keeping them isolated from other projects.
I quit using the SW Toolbox years ago after a rash of broken links after a toolbox upgrade. I created hardware models with all the sizes as configurations, then copy/pasted the hardware components into the project folder when starting a new project. (1 file to cover all socket head cap screws, 1 file to cover all shoulder screws, etc). Adding screws was as easy as dropping in or duplicating an instance, switching configurations, and mating.

I do wish I could achieve that same workflow with Alibre, but creating a screw file with a thousand configurations isn't a justifiable use of time. (I'd love the ability to load in configuration parameters via spreadsheet)
 
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MOKSTech said:
Hello!

As a former SW user learning Alibre, I'm having some difficulties understanding toolbox.
I'm able to create my own toolbox components, but when inserting them to assembly through toolbox, I have to save Alibre part file of the fastener again everytime I insert them.
Is it correct that I have to save the file everytime? Where should I keep them?


Thanks
Click to expand...
In that sense, it might make more sense to use Alibre PDM. If you have the toolbox, you must have expert which means that you also must have the PDM. One of the best usecases for the PDM is shared components such as fasteners, bearings, etc. So, you can just make one screw, i.e. M6x1, make all of the standards length as configurations, and insert it wherever needed through the PDM, while only having it saved once.
 
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Thank you for your feedback!

How would you manage purchased components (components which aren't own design and bought)? For SW we manage these through toolbox, where we can drag and drop purchased components into assemblies.

For fittings/profiles would you recommend using toolbox or part generator or script?

Can you have virtual parts in Alibre? All components have to be saved every time when I create it? Why do I ask this, with virtual parts I can do fast constructional design reviews without cluttering my PDM server with new articles.

What would you recommend for article automation? While saving parts/assemblies to PDM I haven't figured out how to automate name creation. We have used 6 digit numbering system to identify our created parts, but if this isen't automated it's hard to keep track what is the next number in use. Especially when you have a team working on different project.
 
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Purchased parts: probably stored in a folder by supplier, or in a PDM library.

Fittings / profiles : whichever works for you , or build folder/library over time.

Virtual parts : not sure what you mean.

There is not currently any auto naming in PDM (it is new, so emphasis has been on getting the basics to be robust - additional functionality may come later).
 
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Ex Machina said:
In that sense, it might make more sense to use Alibre PDM. If you have the toolbox, you must have expert which means that you also must have the PDM. One of the best usecases for the PDM is shared components such as fasteners, bearings, etc. So, you can just make one screw, i.e. M6x1, make all of the standards length as configurations, and insert it wherever needed through the PDM, while only having it saved once.
Click to expand...
I do like the GUI for finding the right bolt through toolbox. But I will give configurations a try.
1762100243799.png
 
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DavidJ said:
Purchased parts: probably stored in a folder by supplier, or in a PDM library.

Fittings / profiles : whichever works for you , or build folder/library over time.

Virtual parts : not sure what you mean.

There is not currently any auto naming in PDM (it is new, so emphasis has been on getting the basics to be robust - additional functionality may come later).
Click to expand...

Understood.

Defining virtual components:
Virtual components are saved internally in the assembly file instead of in separate part or subassembly files.
Virtual components are especially useful in top-down design. During the conceptual design process, when you frequently experiment with and make changes to the assembly structure and components, using virtual components has several advantages over the bottom-up design method. But I understand that this has not yet been integrated.
 
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DavidJ said:
Save them wherever makes sense - that could be
* in a folder with the rest of the project
* in a Standard Parts folder (so you can re-use in the project and elsewhere)
* if using PDM, in a Library

Just because the same name is used as for something in SW, don't expect the functionality to be identical. My understanding (reported by others, not by direct experience) is that SW Toolbox is more like a Library of Standard Parts that is held centrally, whereas Alibre Toolbox is a device to easily generate a part which you decide where to store.
Click to expand...

David can you help me out here.

While doing a Excel based toolbox fitting then every time it wants to save a new file. How could I save them to PDM? When I chose my measurements and lenght from the UI it opens file explorer and I don't have the option to open up PDM.
 
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That is a known issue - it is on the Development list to hopefully be fixed in v29 (but I can't promise that). In the mean time you'll have to save to Windows and then transfer to PDM.
 
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