DriveWorks

Product Data Management - DriveWorks Pro Integration with Enterprise PDM

Product Data Management is a topic that we are often asked about. And because DriveWorks is so good at generating documents and data automatically, we wanted to make sure that for those companies that are interested in managing all those files that we could provide an immediate solution.

DriveWorks Pro can be set up to automatcially integrate with SolidWorks and SolidWorks Enterprise PDM to securely store all documents created by DriveWorks in the design process.

An example of how it works

1. Say you configure a cupboard in a browser, using DriveWorks Pro Live. You fill out the form including quote number, customer name, materials, dimensions etc...

 

2. When your design is complete and you click 'Release', DriveWorks Pro Autopilot starts working in the background to generate the new files.

 

3. As DriveWorks Pro Autopilot creates all the files, these are sent into the SolidWorks Enterprise PDM Vault.

 

4. When this is complete, you can open up the location where DriveWorks has saved the files: you can see the drawings, models, parts assemblies have all been automatically been checked in to the EPDM vault.

 

 

 

 

As you can see, when you configure your design on the web and click go, everything in the background has been created and checked in.

It's really easy to set up, via the settings screens in DriveWorks Pro. Just enter: Vault Name, User Name and Password, etc - and then DriveWorks takes care of the rest.

To see all of this in action, check out the EPDM Integration video on the DriveWorks Pro website.

You can also read more in the DriveWorks Pro HelpFile  

DriveWorksXpress Hands-on session at SolidWorks World 2012

At SolidWorks World 2012 one of our DriveWorks Applications Engineers will be holding a  DriveWorksXpress Hands-on session!

If you have SolidWorks, then you already have DriveWorksXpress. It's the design automation tool included in every seat of SolidWorks. Learn how to exploit this valuable tool to create multiple variations of your SolidWorks parts, drawings and assemblies automatically.

 

Everyone who attends this session will not only learn how to automate repetitive tasks using rules to reduce design time and minimize errors, but also get a FREE copy of the BRAND NEW Little Book of Rules DriveWorksXpress and DriveWorks Solo Edition.

 

This session takes place on Monday February 13th 2012 and is from 1.30pm-2.30pm.

If you have used Design Tables or microsoft excel to do any automation then it's well worth taking a look at DriveWorksXpress. 

We look forward to seeing you in San Diego!

 

Getting ready for SolidWorks World 2012

What's the next big event? SolidWorks World 2012!

With the Christmas decorations now all packed away all of us here at DriveWorks are getting really excited about SolidWorks World.

 

 

This was us last year in San Antonio - Texas. Now we are looking forward to setting everything up in the stunning Sales Pavilion in the San Diego Convention Centre.

 

 

 

 

 

Do make sure you stop by our booth - NUMBER 324 - Have a chat get to know our team!

For anyone that wants to learn how to use DriveWorksXpress, one of our Applications Engineers will be running the DriveWorksXpress hands on session on Monday Feb 13th.

Don't forget DriveWorksXpress is included in EVERY seat of SolidWorks so it's certainly a presentation not to be missed!

We look forward to seeing YOU there!

Last Chance for 2011: DriveWorks Solo Headstart Webinar!

Make sure you don't miss out on your last chance this year to attend the FREE DriveWorks Solo Headstart Webinars.

 

These webinars are led by DriveWorks Solo Certified Appplications Engineers and show you just how easy it is to get started with the software!

As the New Year approaches it's time to make resolutions, learn new things and there couldn't be an easier way to learn how straightforward DriveWorks Solo is to use, than by simply signing up and sitting at the comfort of your own computer to be shown by a real expert how to get your projects up and running.

The final DriveWorks Solo Headstart Webinars for 2011 are being held on Wednesday 21st December at the following times:

 

	GMT	EST	PST
Session 1	10am – 11am	5am-6am	2am-3am
Session 2	4pm-5pm	11am-12pm	8am-9am

  

To sign up for either webinar, just click on the link below:

Session 1

Session 2

Hopefully, being close to the festive season means you will be able to have a little spare time to attend this webinar. However, if you're lucky enough to be on holiday too early to attend, or if you've got loads of Christmas orders to fulfill then why not sign up here for our webinar updates and see what's happening in the New Year!

Don't forget you can try DriveWorks Solo FREE for 30 days to make sure it really is the product for you!

Merry Christmas from everyone at DriveWorks!

How To: Rename a Project in DriveWorks Pro

You make your project and use it a few times, then for one reason or another its name has to be changed. This is simple enough and this short guide will take you through step by step to show you just how easy it is:

Once a project has been created it can be renamed quite easily. This involves usign a combination of Windows Explorer and DriveWorks Pro Data Management Tool.

1. Ensure the Group that contains the project to be renamed is not open in any DriveWorks application.

2. Locate the project files for the project to be renamed in Windows Explorer

3. Rename the project files to the name to be given to the project

Both projects must be named identically. Take care not to include any extra spaces or remove the . in between the file name and extension.

 

 

 

 

4. Launch DriveWorks Pro Data Management Tool, login to the group and select the Projects stage from the Task Explorer.

5.The old project name will be displayed in red (missing) in the projects list. Right click on the missing project and select Change Location.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. In the Browse for New Locaion dialog, browse to the location where the renamed project files exist.

7. In the same dialog click the file type drop down and select All File (*.*)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Select the renamed project file (ProjectName.driveproj)

Your project now has its brand new name and is ready to use!

Answers to the majority of your questions can be found in the DriveWorks Pro Helpfile, however if you do have any other questions, contact DriveWorks at support@driveworks.co.uk

 

DriveWorks - Appearing at a SolidWorks Reseller Event Near You!

Over the past couple of months there have been countless SolidWorks Reseller events all over the world, spreading the word about SolidWorks 2012!

 

DriveWorks software (along with our DriveWorks Solo pop-up banners) has been popping up at as many as possible, here are just a few:

DriveWorks Seminar at the Alignex Event:

 

 

 

 

 

 

DriveWorks at the 3D Vision Event:

            

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

DriveWorks at the Graphics System Corporation event:

 

 

 

 

 

 

DriveWorks at the Solid Solutions Management Events:

 

DriveWorks at the DASI Event:

 

 

 

 

 

 

DriveWorks at the CATI event

 

 

 

 

 

 

We've been at many more events, but if I put all the photos on here, it would take up the whole blog! See our Facebook Page for more details of where we've been and where we're going next!

Become an Expert! - FREE DriveWorks Solo Online Training Sessions

  

 Learn from the experts - become an expert!

 

The FREE DriveWorks Solo Online Training Sessions are run by DriveWorks Solo Certified Application Engineers.

You will be taken through a  sample project within DriveWorks Solo to really get to grips with how easy the software is to use!

 

Training Includes:

 

• Session 1: Model Capture, Creating Forms, Building Rules, Running your Project, New File Names and Locations. 

 

• Session 2: Replacing Files, Table, Form Navigation, Improving Your Forms, Driving Replacement Files, Controlling Custom Properties.

 

• Session 3: Documents, Controlling Drawings

 

Simply sign up on the links below and become a DriveWorks Solo whiz!

 

• Session 1: Tuesday November 22nd - 4pm-5pm (GMT)
• Session 2: Wednesday November 23rd - 4pm-5pm (GMT)
• Session 3: Thursday November 24th - 4pm-5pm (GMT)

 

After attending the online training, your ability to automate will be automatic!

 

 

 

 

DriveWorks to Attend Solid Solutions Management Event!

If you've seen DriveWorks at various reseller events in the USA recently and have wanted to come along and say hello, but you work and live in the UK - don't worry, the DriveWorks team could now be coming to an event near you.

 

On Thursday 3rd and Friday 4th November, DriveWorks will be attending the Solid Solutions Management event in Gaydon, Warwickshire. If you're attending then do come along to our booth and talk to the DriveWorks experts about our products. We can answer your questions, show you demonstrations of the software and just generally get to know you!

We will look forward to seeing you there!

 

New DriveWorks Configurator Project Online - Conveyor Line

Go to our DriveWorks Live sample project site and see the great new example that has been added.

With the new Conveyor Line project  you can design:

• the number of sections to be used.
• the width and height and length of the conveyor sections.
• whether it's straight or curved.
• even whether it's used for heavy, medium or light duty.

Just design your product, enter your details (including your email address) and coming your way shortly after, will be quote details and  PDF drawings of your individually designed custom conveyor!

New DriveWorks Configurator Project Online - Industrial Stairs

Another sample project is available! This time for industrial stairs.

All these projects show just how flexible DriveWorks can be in creating custom products for so many different industries.

Check out our Industrial Stairs project on the DriveWorks Live site to decide:

 

 

 

1. 1. The pillar to pillar distance.
2. 2. The height of the stairs.
3. 3. The step width.
4. 4. The number of floors the stairs will span.
5.  

 

 

 

 

Enter your contact details to view a quote created online there and then.

Make sure you enter your email address to recieve the quote details and drawings in PDF format too! This project shows just how easy and quick it is for non-engineering staff to configure custom designed products!