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CAM Works to PDMWorks

CAM Works to PDMWorks

CAM Works to PDMWorks

(OP)
We come across something new today. For the past few years we have been creating SolidWorks parts and checking them into PDMWorks. When it is time to make the parts, the machine shop checks them out of PDMWorks then runs CAM Works to create the tool paths, etc. This adds CAM info to the SolidWorks part file. Then the machinist's save it to their own file.
If I do a change to the model, the whole process is repeated and the part is saved in their folder as the next rev.
I found out today this is the way it has been done. I showed the machine shop how to open the previous part file, export the CAM data, check out the updated file, import the CAM data. Everything works great.
We never know when they are ready to use the model, they just use it. We don't know when to release ownership so they can run their CAM and check it back in. This can also be dangerous.
My question is, has anyone done this process and how do you control the machine shop checkin into PDMW without losing the current data?
I hope I'm clear.
thanks

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

RE: CAM Works to PDMWorks

Maybe they could create a new part for their use and then "Insert Part". Then they have an associative solid body to work with that's linked to the orignial without changing the original.

Jason

RE: CAM Works to PDMWorks

(OP)
We tried that yesterday. It worked until we closed the file and reopened it...red flags everywhere. Even suppressing one of the parts, either way CAMW had trouble recognizing the change in the new part. Export/Import worked very clean.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

RE: CAM Works to PDMWorks

ctopher

Could they check it back in and use the "working copy" flag without bumping the revision level? Just a thought.

RE: CAM Works to PDMWorks

(OP)
rporter,
Good idea. I will check into it on Monday and let you know.
thanks

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

RE: CAM Works to PDMWorks

(OP)
Machine shop can not check it back in because "Document Control" has ownership.
If anyone here uses CAM, how do you save the data with your parts from the machine shop? And in PDMWorks?

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP3.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

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