Explode lines in SolidWorks 2001Plus – a better way of illustrating designs

SolidWorks 2001Plus receives top CAD industry awards

PVP Advanced Electro-Optical Systems, Inc. (PVPAEO) designs state-of-the-art imaging systems and components for use in military, aerospace, and commercial applications. The company develops and integrates sensors and systems for space, airborne, ship, and land-based applications that incorporate the latest infrared and image intensified cameras, lasers, and laser rangefinders. Their goal is to provide innovative and cost-effective solutions to support the most complex electro-optical imaging applications. Opto-Mechanical Designer Michael Harkins spoke with SolidWorks Express about the new explode lines feature in SolidWorks® 2001Plus.

What is the advantage of using explode lines in SolidWorks 2001Plus?
"Explode lines provide a better way of illustrating designs. Our designs include a large number of small, intricate parts and fasteners. When these are displayed in a drawing, it is crucial to show their assembly orientation as well as location. Without the use of explode lines, we would need to create more complex auxiliary and section views to show these positions. It would be difficult for our assembly technicians to understand exploded views without the use of explode lines. Without them, our designers and engineers would spend more time explaining the assemblies than completing the drawings."

How do explode lines simplify communication of your designs?

An assembly drawing that benefits from the addition of explode lines.

"Explode lines ease communication among engineering, design, manufacturing, and assembly personnel. Explode lines are especially useful for engineers and designers, helping us to communicate more effectively with one another. When we create exploded views and manually include explode lines, our design process is simplified because we reduce and sometimes eliminate the need for auxiliary and section views. This function also gives us the ability to add notations, which can define assembly order."

Communicate design options in one exploded view with explode lines.

How do explode lines save time in your design process?
"Explode lines reduce the amount of time needed to create complex assembly drawings by eliminating unnecessary view creation. Exploded views with explode lines illustrate potential problems during design reviews. If design or assembly issues can be removed at the review stage, we avoid costly part revisions and remanufacturing."

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