Design Organization Standards

Owned by Philip Bortolotti
Last updated: Sep 16, 2024
2 min read

In order for our CAD to be easy to navigate and use, we must follow a standardized naming convention and file structure. Keeping it organized will make modeling faster and allow leads to review work without friction.

The folder structure is as such:

LHRS 24-26 → System → Subsystem → Subassembly

Systems

24-SYS

  • Ex: 24-DYN

Subsystems

24-SYS-X000 (Name)

  • Ex: 24-DYN-1000 (Suspension)

  • Ex: 24-BDY-2000 (Ergonomics)

Subassemblies

Each subassembly within a subsystem should be given its own subassembly folder that contains the assembly itself as well as its constituent parts

24-SYS-XY00 (Assembly)

  • Ex: 24-DYN-1100 (Control Arms)

  • Ex: 24-BDY-2100 (Pedal Box)

The actual SolidWorks assembly files should be prefixed with a _ in order to place them at the top of the file explorer. This applies at any level of the file system.

  • Ex: _24-000 ← Should be within the LHRS (24-26) folder

  • Ex: _24-DYN ← Should be within the dynamics system folder

  • Ex: _24-DYN-1000 (Suspension Assembly) ← Should be within the suspension subsystem folder

  • Ex: _24-DYN-1100 (Control Arm Assembly) ← Should be within the control arms subassembly folder

Parts

All parts will be contained in the subassembly folder to which they belong.

24-SYS-XY##-R# (Name)

  • Ex: 24-DYN-1101-R1 (Control Arm Apex)

R# stands for revision number. Revision numbers should be used when an old version of the part is thrown out, and a completely new design is created. The old part or assembly should then be placed in the _archive folder within its subassembly folder.

Note: Reference sketches:

Reference sketches should be included at the system and subsystem level. The word REF should come after the level designation.

  • Ex: 24-BDY-REF

  • Ex: 24-BDY-1000-REF (Tab Sketch)

Note: Manufacturing subfolders

Every subassembly should contain four folders

_concept - folder for sketches, practice parts, and other concept work related to the subassembly or parts

_dwg - folder for all formal engineering drawings for components to be machined

_fab - folder for everything related to manufacturing including CNC or 3DP gcode, waterjetting DXFs, tooling, machining fixtures, or jigging files

_archive - folder for old versions of parts or assemblies

Design Library Components

This year, we will be putting all hardware components in the “Design Library” folder in bild. This will allow us to keep everything in one place and reduce duplicates. These components will follow this naming convention:

DL-####-VEN (Desc.)

#### = Vendor part number

VEN = Vendor

(Desc.) = Hardware component name or description. These should be named according to standard engineering convention, and go in order of specificity

  • Ex: DL-92620A564-McMaster (0.25-28x1 HH) → 1/4”-28 1” Long Hex Head Bolt

  • Ex: DL-63195K61-McMaster (0.25 ID 0.65625 OD Swivel Joint) → 1/4” ID 21/32” OD Spherical Bearing

Information to include: Sizing, Thread, Thread-Direction if multiple, etc. There are too many types of hardware components for me to give a guide on how to name every type. Use your best judgement and be consistent with what already exists. Make sure it makes sense.

Ex: HH - hex head, SCH - socket cap head, RH - rounded head, FH - flat head

 

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