Version control of complete Assembles (Machines)

[mjoconr]

Hi

I'm trying to understand how I can manage the process of manufacturing one of our machines and then when I build the next update the model but keep a record of the previous machine.

The process I'm following right now is a follows (but does not handle the next build issue)

• Create individual part models (possible in a separate project)
• Create sub assembles (possible in a separate project)
• Build the final machine from the subassemblies from in project and external project files.

When I get the next order we almost always make small changes, sometimes major. How do I make these changes but keep the old design and not have to rebuild the assembles from scratch?

Thanks

Mike

[TrippyLighting]

How many components and assemblies are your machines comprised off ?

[mjoconr]

Our current CAD package has over 7000 drawings. An individual machine would have at least 2000 components and well I'm not sure of the assembles as our current package is 2d but on just a single ladder it was 3 and the swinging guard was about 8.

So I think we are going to have many of them maybe 200 or more !!

Mike

[TrippyLighting]

And you've designed a complete machine in Fusion 360 and feel this is manageable ?

[mjoconr]

I'm hoping so, because our current 2d method is not working.

[TrippyLighting]

That wasn't the question. The question is whether you have already done so.

The next recommendation is based on 30 years as an engineer of which I spent 20 dealing with factory automation machinery. As a designer, project manager , application and sales engineer. I've worked for the big gorillas as well as small companies.

Before you change over and commit from a currently somewhat working (business) system, to a new system you need to fully and thoroughly evaluate it for it's limits. Design a complete project in it practically in parallel to creating it in your current system.

I currently help a small automation company rapidly growing is business.

I use Fusiosn 360 daily for developing automation concepts.

At this time there is absolutely no way I would recommend it for productive, daily use in this business.

[mjoconr]

Large amount of one machine has been drawup in Fusion and we are building more of the assembles.

With all the work I've done on the models I've not seen any reason not to use Fusion for our projects other than this issue with how to manage the issue of version control.

The 2d drawings are not 100% but good enough and they seem to be working hard on this area.

It would be nice if a AutoDesk agent could comment on this issue.

Mike

[TrippyLighting]

That is indeed good to hear!

Let's see if I can tag someone  @brianrepp can you send this question to the right person ?

[chrisplyler]

Um... Save As with Ver002 or Ver003 appended to the name?

[mjoconr]

Thats the first thing I though of, but it the linked files are still going to update. I did see an option to force a link to a version but that would take a lot of work each time to fix all the links. I think we would have to make a copy of the primary assembly then go thougt and manually set the version for each sub assemble or part.

Not really pratical.

I think there might also be a problem with Fusion warning all the time about out of date files and just one persion pressing update would mess everything up.

[charegb]

Are you trying to get an isolated copy of all the parts/sub assemblies used in the design so that you can modify this assembly as well as any sub-components without affecting your already built assembly?

Thanks,

Bankim

[mjoconr]

In its most basic form, yes thats what I need to do.

I build a machine using components from common and like machine models. The next time I build the machine it will not be 100% the same so I need to be able to take a complete copy and say this is the machine I built. Or I need to take a copy and adjust it as I build a new machine. (does not realy matter which away around I do it.

I did find out that if I export an assembly using the f3z file format (via the fusion360 website) and then import this in to a new project all models and drawing used by that assembly are imported and the links to local copies are maintained. The directory structure is lost meaning the imports probable need to be done inside of project folder for each import things a kept clean.

I am slowly working out a system which might/will work, just been very hard to identify the steps. There does not seem to be anyone talking about this for Fusion in public locations.

The machines we build have a large number of common parts across all types of machine and then each time of machine has a lot of common parts also.

We currently have around 7000 2d drawings, as a reference you can see our machines at https://www.youtube.com/wooltech1

Mike