DISQUS

Michael Schettine · 2 years ago

Templates are useful in other ways besides designing.

We promote templates for the actual building of the structure in our case for building. Our visual templates (we call a banner) is a new patented (pat. no. 6,766,282) product called the AccuFrame System. In rigous testing by the DuPont Company and our company AccuFrame has recorded labor savings of 15% or more constructing homes.
AccuFrame System is printed on DuPont Tyvek substrate with indellable ink so construction workers can perform thier task under every weather condition.

Design/engineering isn't the "end-all" of technology and shouldn't be for that matter. A natual advancment in CAD and BIM is to invite the building team members on board with technology a logical way to disseminate the cricical information on-site....blue prints are to long over due for replacement or any real since of on-site production.

Contact me to know more.

Michael Schettine
President SAI.
email mike@accuframesystem.com

Josh · 2 years ago

This sounds really interesting Michael. So, the CAD 'template' is used to create a full-size template (banner) to layout the components (frames, trusses, windows, doors) so construction is faster? is that correct?

Rob Shuttleworth · 2 years ago

I think big rolls of plastic are cumbersome. There should be a way of using lasers or a little robot to drive around and draw your lines. Either process would derive it's info from the original CAD files.

Michael Schettine · 2 years ago

Big rolls of plastic that Rob has detailed is incorrect. You are correct that the same computer data controls the banner creation.

AccuFrame is printed on DuPont Tyvek on a 1:1 scale of the framing lumber only...2x4 walls have a size of 7" inches wide, the lenght of the wall, 2x6 walls are detailed on 11"inches wide Tyvek banners. Each floor is delivered on a roll with a starting point so incorrect placment is not a issue.

The banner is detailed with the framing information only so when a framer staples the banner onto the topbottom plates that are laying side by side the layout is complete with the remaining step to divide the banner with a sharp knife. Each plated banner is when idenicail to one another making the system ready for construction of the wall section.

Easy to use, easy to send visual computer tempaltes drives on-site production by 15% in reduced building cycle.

Please email mike@accuframesystem to see pictures of the AccuFrame System.

Rob Shuttleworth · 2 years ago

I see... these are just for the walls. I was thinking they were for the floor layout.

Rob Shuttleworth · 2 years ago

Make sure to print a reference measurement on there too, so the guys don't stretch it too much when putting it on.
I still think there is the possibility of putting the pattern/templates directly onto the floor.
For a large number of homes the plywood floor could be prepared, numbered and have the printing right on it. This could have the wall elevations and floor layout and any other details right down to the millwork.
I guess mud and dirt might make it tricky.

gale · 2 years ago

Yes It is good set up all templates as you described. But in team there is lot of problems.
Bigest I think is -
1. You did set up network folder. Good. But how do you set the appropriate name of designer on the drawing, when you have part template and drawing template on the network? From which place will be pull down the name? From properties and from drawing stamp not because these are on network.

We do that, by copiing the templates to every user. The user will after set himselve name for example Josh Mings. And there is the problem, when you want change the template (add new notes etc.), you must do that by the every user.

2. How you do drawings? By the selecting default drawing document originaly "Drawing.drwdot" and dialog box with sheet formats appear?

I think that better and quicker way is set more drawing documents with different sheet formats (A4.drwdot, A3.drwdot etc.). But there is also problem. When you want change for example stamp, you must do that by the avery drawing document.

Now I am creating new templates for our company and this questions I am trying to resolve.

How do you solve these problems in your company?

Josh · 2 years ago

There's a couple ways to solve this. The best is to use custom properties and have it automatically fill in the paper size, designer, etc.

If you have way to pull this info from a database, even better. We have one template and run a program that pulls the info from a database.

gale · 2 years ago

Yes this is it. From database...And what program is it? Any macro?

And how you look on problem 2. with drawings?

Thanks Josh

Josh · 2 years ago

here that may help. It's probably going to help to have somebody that know the SolidWorks API. This will make it possible to add much more functionality to how you do things at your organization. If it just yourself, you can pick up some basic knowledge of how macros work by looking at examples. Commercial programs like PDMWorks and Conisio can also help with this.

Daniel · 1 year ago

I read similar article also named use SolidWorks Templates to Speed Design and Save Time | SolidSmack - SolidWorks 3D CAD Technology Design Blog, and it was completely different. Personally, I agree with you more, because this article makes a little bit more sense for me

James Kryten · 1 year ago

Hi there! I am thoroughly impressed with your knowledge of Sheet Metal Workers. Your insights into this article about Sheet Metal Workers was well worth the the time to read it. I thank you for posting such awsome information. Signed James Kryten on this Day Monday.

Xavier Tapia · 9 months ago

Why in Solid Works '09 the standars sheet template do not work ?
The OK button is always greyed out.
I'll appreciate your help.
Thank you,