Anyone using quick fixture mode in 2017?

[DmisDave]

I haven’t had much luck in using quick fixture mode since version 2013. Unless my fixture setup is simple X,Y moves I have to load my model and fixtures in 2013, move or rotate them where I need them to be, and then open it in 2015 to program. If it involves any rotations or leveling; I can't get 2015 won’t do it properly.

I have 2017 loaded to test it before implementing it. The quick fixture tool bar has changed. I have printed the instructions on “INSERTING QUICK FIXTURES” from the Core manual, and the section on QUICK FIXTURE TOOLBAR from the USING TOOLBARS pdf.

Either the buttons don’t do what the instructions say they do, or I’m doing something wrong. For a simple example: If I deselect all the buttons except the X,Y rotate button, and I hold the Ctrl key while clicking and dragging, the fixture appears to remain stationary while my part model rotates in all three axis.

When I click on the graphic view from the Z+ my part model snaps into the position it should be in and the fixture is rotated in all axis; not just the X,Y.

I just wondered if it works properly in 2017.

[Milicron Mike]

I tried it but since there is effectively ZERO documentation on it, I purchased FixtureBuilder from R&R Fixtures. It has several online tutorials and fantastic telephone support.

Mike

[cvelisetty]

Hello DmisDave,

Sorry to hear that you had a bad luck when trying the new Quick Fixture toolbar. I can help you with any help need on the Quick Fixture. Please post in your query over here or any specific workflow or requirement that you have.

We both can work together on this!

Feel free to drop a line.

[davehocum]

I have used the Quick Fixture and Transform to assemble the fixture components and part with PC-DMIS. The one thing I did not like about Quick Fixture is that you can not measure the fixture components only the part. With Transform within Cad Assembly you can measure the Fixture components and part. And the BOM of your component assembly will be in the Cad assembly dialog window.
I have used Fixture Builder to assemble the fixture components to part that uses IronCad in the back ground. Which works very well as the software will also create a BOM for the fixture assembly.
Right now I find this fixture assembly process much easier with a Cad software. I will use SolidWorks to create the assembly Fixture components and part. With the Cad software you can also create a BOM and screen captions to use for setup procedures. For an example with SolidWorks you can use the Exploded View which will separate the fixture and parts components into an exploded view then create a video. The video and screen caption then can be imported into PowerPoint for a presentation of the setup procedure. Another Cad software that I will use is Fusion 360 for this fixture process when all the SolidWorks Licenses are being used.

[Jonde1]

I have noticed that you have to re select the axis that you want to manipulate! soon as i hold ctrl on the graphics screen it defaults to nothing and i have to select the axis again.

[Numbers Game]

I used quick fixturing without major issues up through 2016. 2017 seems to have some bugs, such as the part model moving along with the fixture components. I've found it impossible to use and put in a ticket last week but haven't yet gotten a response. The issue with the axis selection has been there since at least 2015 though. You click to lock down your desired degrees of freedom and then when you click on the fixture model it resorts back to the last thing that you had clicked. Essentially, you have to do it twice each time; click the axis, click the part, click the axis again and then make your movement. I wish that I had access to CAD on this computer. I used to use OnShape until they changed their policy to where you can't have any private documents with a free account.

[davehocum]

Numbers Game I was using Onshape also until they remove the private documents. Fusion 360 from Auto Desk is only $300.00 per year and is far ahead of Onshape in development of there Cad software.
Check it out. If your interested here is a link http://www.autodesk.com/products/fusion-360/overview

[Numbers Game]

I messed around with fusion a little bit on my home computer with the free hobbyist subscription but my hardware wasn't sufficient for it to run properly. It seems like a nice package for the price, with CAD, CAM, testing, rendering and 3D printing all in one package that's much cheaper than Solidworks or Mastercam. I'm not sure that I want to spend money on software to use at work though. Maybe someday I'll talk management here into buying me a seat.

[JR VILLA]

I ran into the same issues but to save everyone time and $. I just imported another cad model and select merge, once you have done that you can go into assembly( Edit -> Graphics Display -> Assembly) and move them where you want using Transform. To better understand what Im talking about search '' working with assemblies of parts" in the help menu.

and forget about quick fixture until it gets fixed

[Numbers Game]

I've been resorting back to 2016 to get my fixturing how I want it and then reopening in 2017 to continue programming, which is a bit of a hassle. I sure hope that they get this fixed with the next service pack.

[DmisDave]

I ran into the same issues but to save everyone time and $. I just imported another cad model and select merge, once you have done that you can go into assembly( Edit -> Graphics Display -> Assembly) and move them where you want using Transform. To better understand what Im talking about search '' working with assemblies of parts" in the help menu.

and forget about quick fixture until it gets fixed

I haven’t read the help section, but I played with that a little. I brought in two separate models, but I can’t seem to transform them individually. Is that possible? That would be a great feature if it is.
EDIT: they can be moved individually. This may be a lot better than Quick Fixture.