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Export CMM XYZIJK from SolidWorks

Export CMM XYZIJK from SolidWorks

Export CMM XYZIJK from SolidWorks

(OP)
Hello there.  Our company machines alot of 3D forms on CNC.  With our previous CAD software, we had a script that extracted the XYZIJK of points placed on a surface. It would create a table for the operator to use and generate a TXT file formatted with the CMM's coding language to inspect those points.   It was not fully automated, as you had to select start, end points of each vector.  It was much faster than measuring each point and writing your own CMM code.

I found this (http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=160366) article through search which is somewhat useful, but it only discusses the XYZ of the coordinate.  I think I would need to either extract line data (start, end) or point with axis to accomplish this.

Im looking for ideas / code on how to do this in Solidworks 2010.  Or maybe there is software add-ins that do this already?

RE: Export CMM XYZIJK from SolidWorks

By IJK I guess you mean a unit vector pointing in the direction of the surface normal?

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)

RE: Export CMM XYZIJK from SolidWorks

(OP)
Correct.  I don't think Solidworks has a 'Vector' entity or function.  The closest thing it may have is an axis, or a 3D sketch line drawn 1" long perpendicular to the surface.

RE: Export CMM XYZIJK from SolidWorks

It looks like this could be reasonably done, and be fully automated to generate as many points as you wanted.  You would just have to create a 3d sketch with your inspection points.  The normal vector can be automatically calculated in the API.  Looks like a bit more scope than I could do for a freebie though.  Anyone?

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)

RE: Export CMM XYZIJK from SolidWorks

Why not use PC-DMIS or Calypso

http://www.pcdmis.com/

http://www.zeiss.com/4125682000247242/Contents-Frame/0ec618a552bb2946c1256af7003d8e9a

You can import the cad files directly into both of these packages and set up your CMM programming.

There is also Accumetria  http://www.accumetria.com/

Pas CMM For SolidWorks http://www.pastechnology.com/PASCMMforSolidWorks/UltimateCADCMMSolution/tabid/174/Default.aspx

There may be some other partner solutions on the SolidWorks website.

http://www.solidworks.com/sw/products/search/results.htm

Cheers,

Anna Wood
Core i7 EE965, FirePro V8700, 12 Gb RAM, OCZ Vertex 120 Gb SSD, Dell 3008WFP 30" Monitor
SW2010 SP2.1, Windows 7 x64
http://www.solidmuse.com
http://www.phxswug.com

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