Strategies for Handling Large Assemblies

[luiz.hnm]

I am using CREO 8 to assemble a large pallet-racking structure for a big storage system, with significant height, length, and width. I would prefer not to use shrinkwraps or IGES/STEP files, because I want my model to update with any modifications. Additionally, I need to be able to visualize the holes. Could you suggest ways to make the assembly lighter?

[StephenW]

Simplified reps are the primary tool for large assembly management.

[StephenW]

The document attached in this post is the most comprehensive I have seen with respect to large assemblies.

https://community.ptc.com/t5/PTC-Community-Networking/Bringing-Large-Assemblies-Down-to-Size/td-p/444618

[tbraxton]

One technique not widely used is the read only setting. Saving models as read only will help tremendously with regeneration times. If you have library parts (hardware etc.) that are not subject to change in the context of the design process, save them as read only. If there are any models that you would not be modifying during a session, then set them to read only as well.

This setting can be undone at any time to modify the model/features.

[luiz.hnm]

Thank you for your answer!

Are you referring to the "Make Read-Only" option in Windchill?

[tbraxton]

Not the Windchill "read only". By setting features to read only (or all features in a model) they are not regenerated within Creo until the setting is cleared.

About Read-Only Features

By setting models to have all features be read only and saving the models it will reduce the regen time of the parts/assemblies by orders of magnitude.

[luiz.hnm]

I'm trying to do that. Do I need to do it inside all the parts of the assemblies and in the final assembly, or just in the final assembly? Should I have the configurations specified in the config.pro file, or is it ready 'out of the box'?

[tbraxton]

You will need to apply the read only setting in each part model where it is needed. Once this is done and you save the part then the part will be read only in all modes (part, assembly etc.) until the read only setting is cleared.

[anursingh]

Hi @luiz.hnm,

I wanted to see if you got the help you needed.

If so, please mark the appropriate reply as the Accepted Solution. It will help other members who may have the same question.
Of course, if you have more to share on your issue, please pursue the conversation. 

Thanks,
Anurag 

[luiz.hnm]

Hello,

No, the solution provided did not give positive results for me.

Thanks in advance,

luiz.hnm

[Chris3]

I know you are on Creo 8, but you might want to try backing up your assembly and opening it with Creo 11 or newer and trying out the performance report:

https://support.ptc.com/help/creo/creo_pma/r11.0/usascii/index.html#page/assembly/asm/using_performance_reporting.html 

That will show you where the long regen times are and then you can attack the heavy hitters.