Exporting Flat Patterns
Exporting Flat Patterns
(OP)
I have come up with another sheet metal problem! The company I am working for uses software to automatically tool up and nest flat patterns. The flat patterns must be in DWG or DXF format and must be scaled 1:1. No problem there. However, the software also insists on the edges to be cut being on 2 seperate layers. It requires the cut edges of the part to be on a layer called 'OUTER' and all the internal holes, slots etc to be on a layer called 'INNER'. I have searched help and past posts on this forum and am coming to the conclusion that SW is very weak on layers! I want to avoid a situation where every drawing has to have edges selected and moved onto a new layer manually. It also seems that it is not possible to insert your first view on a drawing to a particular layer either. mapping is another possible solution but again I think I would have to manually set colours of the lines too. It seems to me that SW should allow feature to be out on layers. I am wondering if anyone out there has had a similar problem and developed a decent work around, Perhaps a macro or even an add-on program. Thanks in advance.






RE: Exporting Flat Patterns
But Solid models cannot be on Layers... Remember this is SW not AutoCAD.
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
RE: Exporting Flat Patterns
RE: Exporting Flat Patterns
We send exported dxf files to a progrom called geopoint. It seems to handle the outer and inner features automatically. Unless the Mfg people are doing something I'm not aware of.
Jason
UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2005 SP5.0 on WinXP SP2
SolidWorks 2006 SP1.0 on WinXP SP2
RE: Exporting Flat Patterns
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376
RE: Exporting Flat Patterns
<rant off, sorry>
Unfortunately, I have never seen anything in the layers or layer mapping within SolidWorks that would be able to do what you're looking for. I wish I could help you more.
These are probably off the table, but is there any chance you could do either of the following?
-Save your entire flat pattern out as one layer (maybe INNER), then open it in AutoCAD or other 2D program and manually change the other layer. I know it's an extra step and cumbersome, but it is a potential work around, especially if you make a low quantity of parts a day (couple dozen or less)
-Get a new nesting program. I know that's a lot easier said than done, but most nesting programs out there do not require the two layers as yours does.
Windows 2000
P4 2.40 GHz
Video Card -
Manufacturer: NVIDIA Corporation
Card: Quadro4 900 XGL/PCI/SSE2
Driver: 6.14.10.7184
RE: Exporting Flat Patterns
RE: Exporting Flat Patterns
At a previous previous employer we saved DXF's and DWG's for both waterjet and laser and the requirement was that all objects had to be on layer 0 and no colors. Here we only use laser and DXF's, but there are no color requirements. As Solidworks moves closer to AutoCAD compatabiliy, I'm sure there will be another disgruntled operator that needs compatablity with his/her software.
Flores
SW06 SP2.0
RE: Exporting Flat Patterns
RE: Exporting Flat Patterns
Regards,
Scott Baugh, CSWP
www.scottjbaugh.com
FAQ731-376