Using Excel Based Configurations In Assembly?
Using Excel Based Configurations In Assembly?
(OP)
I have a interesting problem before me. I cuurently use SW 2007, and Sigma Nest. Sigma Nest will pull in a assembly from SW , flatten the parts, and nest them for our laser. sigma Nest will look at an assembly and automatically generate the flat patterns in SW, import the correct number of parts etc. If integrates very well with the shhet metal work I do.
I have a customer that has sent me a spreadsheet of some parts he want me to nest and cut on my laser. The spreadsheet has all the length and width dimensions as well as the quantity required. It is easy enough for me to format the spreadsheet using the length and width columns to make configurations. The next step is to create a assembly to pull ALL the configurations into a assembly with the correct number required (I understand it will be a massive assembly). Sigma Nest doesn't care if anything is mated just as long as it is in the assembly it will pick it up. I have several spreadsheets with approx 1400 items per spreadsheet.
As I said I can easily make a design table for all the configurations, but getting a massive assembly with all configurations and quantities is my current hurdle.
I apologize if this has been answered before, I did skim the forums , and did not see anything.
Thanks,
Rob
I have a customer that has sent me a spreadsheet of some parts he want me to nest and cut on my laser. The spreadsheet has all the length and width dimensions as well as the quantity required. It is easy enough for me to format the spreadsheet using the length and width columns to make configurations. The next step is to create a assembly to pull ALL the configurations into a assembly with the correct number required (I understand it will be a massive assembly). Sigma Nest doesn't care if anything is mated just as long as it is in the assembly it will pick it up. I have several spreadsheets with approx 1400 items per spreadsheet.
As I said I can easily make a design table for all the configurations, but getting a massive assembly with all configurations and quantities is my current hurdle.
I apologize if this has been answered before, I did skim the forums , and did not see anything.
Thanks,
Rob






RE: Using Excel Based Configurations In Assembly?
If not, would you absolutely [u]have[/b] to create one massive assy? Could you not separate the parts into more manageable assys?
Once the configs have been created, macro's exist which save them as separate parts. Once the separate parts ave been created they can be dragged en masse into an assy.
Save Config macros;
http
RE: Using Excel Based Configurations In Assembly?
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RE: Using Excel Based Configurations In Assembly?
RE: Using Excel Based Configurations In Assembly?
Also in answer to your question, they are not all simple rectangles most are irregular shapes with only a couple of dimensions changing or flange lengths can vary.
RE: Using Excel Based Configurations In Assembly?
Can Sigma Nest read the excel file directly?
Can Sigma Nest read a SW parts custom property? A QTY property could be applied if it can.
RE: Using Excel Based Configurations In Assembly?
RE: Using Excel Based Configurations In Assembly?
RE: Using Excel Based Configurations In Assembly?
CODE
Const QTYCOL As Integer = 2
Const STARTROW As Integer = 2
Dim CurRow As Long
Dim EmptyRow As Long
Dim LastRow As Long
EmptyRow = STARTROW
While Cells(EmptyRow, QTYCOL).Value <> ""
EmptyRow = EmptyRow + 1
Wend
LastRow = EmptyRow - 1
For CurRow = STARTROW To LastRow
If Cells(CurRow, QTYCOL).Value > 1 Then
Rows(CurRow & ":" & CurRow).Copy
Rows(EmptyRow & ":" & EmptyRow + (Cells(CurRow, QTYCOL).Value - 2)).Select
ActiveSheet.Paste
EmptyRow = EmptyRow + (Cells(CurRow, QTYCOL).Value - 1)
End If
Next
End Sub
RE: Using Excel Based Configurations In Assembly?
Again I have to ask for help though. I have used the above macros to create thousands of part files. Now I have been tasked with creating flat pattern dxf's of all those part files to be imported into a plasma machine. The parts all have flanges on them so I would need to flatten the part, then do a 1:1 dxf of it. If I only had a few to do, it would be no problem to just do them, but at last count I am at 2,800+ parts.