Manufacturing Layout

[brad_walkerLEUWS]

I'm an advanced Solidworks user, but very new to Autocad. I'm looking for some best practices on drawing a very simple manufacturing floor plan. I have the major dimensions, but now I'm looking for best practices on how to draw/import my machines onto the floor. I.e. I'm wanting to draw the machines separately and import them into the main file so I can play with their positions on the floor. The machine drawings will be simple, 2D drawings that just show the machine footprint. 

[Patchy]

If the machine drawing is .dxf or .dwg just use the INSERT command after you have the floor plan drawing setup with the same unit (Metric or Imperial)

[pendean]

@brad_walkerLEUWS Are you by chance just using plain AutoCAD (the topic of this forum) or one of the verticals that might be better suite for your need (free for subscribers to install and use by the way)

[RSomppi]

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@brad_walkerLEUWS wrote:

I'm wanting to draw the machines separately and import them into the main file so I can play with their positions on the floor. The machine drawings will be simple, 2D drawings that just show the machine footprint. 

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Those could be blocks or XREFs that can be inserted into the "main file".

[Washingtonn · Accepted solution]

Best practice:

Create blocks and/or Xrefs which include the actual footprint, anchorage locations and the extreme outside dimensions.  Indicate height clearances (attributes?) if this might be an issue and include all separate layering needed to identify clearances for operators, maintenance, service connections for the installation, operation and maintenance workers.

Don't forget to verify paths for removal/installation involving equipment which may need to be replaced.

[brad_walkerLEUWS]

I'm just using "regular" AutoCad. Would you prefer one of the ones you pictured above the other for this application?

[brad_walkerLEUWS]

Thank you for your reply. Excuse my ignorance here, but is one of those methodologies easier to move the machines around within the floor? That's my main concern. I know we'll be moving the machines around a lot brainstorming best options. 

[pendean]

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@brad_walkerLEUWS wrote:

I'm just using "regular" AutoCad. Would you prefer one of the ones you pictured above the other for this application?

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That's a question only you and your employer can answer: install them and explore.

[RSomppi · Accepted solution]

Personally, I would use blocks as I think most would but XREFs are a viable option.