TopSolid Wood: flexible CAD-CAM solution

Fittings, joinery, carpentry – depending on the sector of activity, the number and nature of assembly methods vary. Given that these choices are at the heart of all projects, being able to optimise assembly methods is a major challenge for manufacturers.

An assembly method describes the connection between two parts. This connection can make it possible to assemble one or more parts in a permanent, removable or adjustable way:

•        A fixed shelf will be glued and pinned

•        The elements of a box assembled by eccentrics may be removable

•        A shelf on cleats will be mobile/ adjustable in its position.

Some assemblies are only made by machining the parts; others incorporate assembly hardware that operate the parts and link them temporarily or permanently (trunnions, screws, eccentrics, Clamex, etc.).

The industrialisation and the choice of these assembly methods depend on several criteria:

•        the visual aspect, undoubtedly;

•        the physical characteristics to meet the need for the link;

•        means of production available in the workshop;

•        hardware available and their cost;

•        need for standardization and/or customisation.

So many more or less subjective criteria means there is no standard. The choice is left to the company due to its level of requirement. Mastering this concept, therefore, becomes a major challenge and it is important to ensure that your CAD-CAM solution is capable of responding to this problem.

Depending on the company’s assembly methods, you can rely on software that adapts to the way you work. This could result in the possibility of saving time and increasing efficiency.

Thanks to a wide range of high-performance CAD-CAM, PDM and ERP software solutions, you are able to optimise your assembly methods.

With TopSolid Wood , the user describes his requirements and saves them in his library. From the simple positioning rule to the conditional choice, the graphical parameterisation facilitates the creation and verification of assembly methods.

By using these assembly methods, the work of the draftsman is simplified and the designer can concentrate on the project itself, without encumbering the connection details, which will be executed automatically by the software.

Within a company, assembly methods can change for many reasons:

•        In the event of a technical improvement;

•        To optimise production costs, the quantity of hardware used may vary, which will have an impact on assembly methods;

•        In the event of a change of hardware supplier;

•        Change in production machines and in the assembly method.

Whether it is a dimensional modification of the project or a change of specification, the associativity of TopSolid Wood will make it possible to replay the assemblies while respecting the conventions of the company. A few clicks are enough to modify one, several or all the links of a layout.

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