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NX5 Saving WCS to IGES file

NX5 Saving WCS to IGES file

NX5 Saving WCS to IGES file

(OP)
When I move the WCS in a part file and save as an IGES file the original WCS is retained in the IGES file. Is there any way to do this without actually having to move the part?

RE: NX5 Saving WCS to IGES file

(OP)
To clarify this a little bit...
Our parts are created with Solid Edge in aircraft coordinate system. To measure them with our Faro arm we need a coordinate system on the part. In the past we have exported an iges from Edge and created the coordinate system with Solid Works. We are transitioning to NX and need to be able to do this with NX instead of Solid Works.

When I open one of our Edge files in NX the WCS is aligned with the aircraft coordinate system. I can move the WCS to where I need it, but when I export the iges file the original aircraft coordinate system is retained. The only workaround I have found is moving the part to where I need it.
This is a difficult process when the part needs to be moved and rotated in X, Y and Z, and is too time consuming to be acceptable for usage on a daily basis.

RE: NX5 Saving WCS to IGES file

Try saving your WCS before you do the export:

Format > WCS > Save

I am not certain that it will transfer with IGES, but it is worth a try.

You can also put three short lines at the WCS before you export then use those as your reference.

RE: NX5 Saving WCS to IGES file

(OP)
Thanks for your response.

Unfortunately, using Format > WCS > Save does not have any effect. The iges file still retains the aircraft coordinate system.
Drawing reference lines won't work either. The coordinate system of the iges file needs to be based on features of the part that we can measure with the CMM. This is how the CMM aligns it's own coordinate sytem to the CAD model.

RE: NX5 Saving WCS to IGES file

Export a parasolid, in the nonparametric part file move the WCS where you need it on the part, save a copy at that position then revert back to the absolute coordinate system (don't move the saved copy). Now reposition the parasolid between the coordinate systems. The reposition command will take care of all the translations and rotations in one step. Pay attention to the prompts because the pick order matters. When you get it in position, save the file.

RE: NX5 Saving WCS to IGES file

(OP)
Thank you. This worked for me. Still not perfectly ideal, but good enough to work with.

RE: NX5 Saving WCS to IGES file

This was an interesting one for me because in NX-5 there are actually options to allow you to export IGES using the WCS. You can also output saved co-ordinate systems if you like. The settings to do this are all available and reasonably easy to find so I hope I can avoid the tedious detail.

Anyway I used always achieve the desired result, but making a scratch assembly, positioning the component within that and then selecting the objects to export from there. This achieves something similar to what cowski described but possibly with simpler technique.

I tested out the method of using the WCS in NX-5 with a simple part and found the on import back into an empty file it shifts the orientation in the opposite direction to what I would have desired and expected. Does anyone see the same thing or know why?

Cheers

Hudson

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