NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
(OP)
Hi,
I am running NX2 and need to convert multiple sheets into one single sheet that will behave as a single sheet after.
I tried sewing the sheets, but in CAM to create a tool path you can not select the SEW as one single sheet.
Also I tried to subtract / intersect the sheets with a block.
The result remains the same, the solid / sheets do not behave as a single sheet.
Is there a soltuion to this ?
Thanks,
Sebastian
I am running NX2 and need to convert multiple sheets into one single sheet that will behave as a single sheet after.
I tried sewing the sheets, but in CAM to create a tool path you can not select the SEW as one single sheet.
Also I tried to subtract / intersect the sheets with a block.
The result remains the same, the solid / sheets do not behave as a single sheet.
Is there a soltuion to this ?
Thanks,
Sebastian





RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
It will mean that you can't go back and edit the Sews, but as long as that's ok you should end up with a single sheet body.
HTH,
Jon
JHTH
NX 7.5.5 + TC 8.3.2.2
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
Join face might work for you if the two sheets truly do form a continuous face with matching UV curves. I have found this to be by far the exception rather than the rule in my work but you might have better luck depending on the geometry.
If join face doesn't work, and you really do need one single sheet, you will need to extract UV curves from the existing sheets, chop them back a bit from the intersection, create bridge curves to span the intersection, and then create a new sheet from the modified curves. The number of curves you will need will depend on how complex the surface is and how closely you need to duplicate the original sheets.
Unless you are trying to do something that is pretty out of the ordinary, or are trying to develop some type of automation that depends on having a single sheet, I think the chances are about 99% that CAM will do everything you need without any further work on your sheets.
Hope that helps.
NX 7.5.4, NX 8.0.1.5
Tecnomatix Quality 8.0.1.3
PC-DMIS 2011 MR1
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
Again, though, this is just selection intent stuff. It should have no effect at all on how the CAM module creates a path.
NX 7.5.4, NX 8.0.1.5
Tecnomatix Quality 8.0.1.3
PC-DMIS 2011 MR1
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
Mmauldin: Unfortunately NX2 does not have the Join Face command after SEW in the SEW options.
Jon: I removed the parameters from the SEW, but when I select the sheet as a general object, it actually only selects each individual sheet....same behavior as before.
DaSalo: The surface is not really complex – it is a deck of a surfboard – and I am able to create a toolpath with the toll axis being Z.
But I need the tool axis to be Y as I want to cut the deck with a disc, instead of a bull nose cutter.
And I would like to use, FIXED CONTOUR with the Surface Area Drive method.
Here is where the actual problem starts, as I cannot select the sheets/surfaces for the drive geometry – I get the error message:
Cannot build Grid: Drive Geometry will be erased
Note: Grid may work if chaing tolerance is changed
Back out of edit and got to preferences – Selection.
Please see the uploaded pic to give you an idea of what I am looking for.
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
This thread may help you:
http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=101984
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
I checked that thread prior to my post...unfortnatyl it does not solve the problem...
I found the join face command under edit face menue, but unfortunatly it results only in error messages....
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
NX3 + TC9
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
"NX-2 and NX-3 The Join Faces command works very well for a range of simple examples and can be found under Edit>Face>Join Face. It appears to require only one selection pick in most cases so I can see why it is favored." - Hudson888
Found it here: http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=225552
Again, it's been a while since I have used NX2, so I'm not sure if this is applicable or not or whether it behaves as it does in NX7.5.
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
Face is not parametrical- rectangular
I attach the file for reference...might be easier.
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
Jerry, well actuall the surfaces are mirrored...problem I guess is that you, can not sew into solid then...only if I create another surface to close that half...
Tried already just sewing one side and then tried all of the above...also not really with success.
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
Surface area must have an evenly grided collection of surfaces or it will fail every time. You can't select 1 surface, then 3 in the next row, then 2 in the next row. You must have 2, then 2, then 2, then 2. Or something regular like that. I was able to generate all kinds of paths with your geometry by simply using projected curves and the "Divide Face" tool to slice your surfaces up into an even grid.
The tail and tip get difficult because you have 4 sided surfaces in the center converging into 3 sided at the tip, and into a kind of six sided at the tail. This is very difficult geometry for a CAM system to deal with and is definitely something to stay away from when creating your model if there is any way around it. Try to keep your surfaces regular. That will get you much further than just trying to create fewer of them.
The best tool for your particular model if you want to do the least amount of manipulation is "Streamline". You don't have this in NX2 and if you are doing this kind of work as a serious business it will pay off for you to pony up the money and upgrade to NX8.
Attached are a couple of images of paths created with Streamline. The only modifications to your model are the addition of a couple face divisions near the tail so I could better isolate that geometry. Less than 5 operations in the feature tree and less than 5 minutes of time in modeling.
Hope that helps.
NX 7.5.4, NX 8.0.1.5
Tecnomatix Quality 8.0.1.3
PC-DMIS 2011 MR1
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
NX 7.5.4, NX 8.0.1.5
Tecnomatix Quality 8.0.1.3
PC-DMIS 2011 MR1
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
NX 7.5.4, NX 8.0.1.5
Tecnomatix Quality 8.0.1.3
PC-DMIS 2011 MR1
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
Thanks for the big support here.
I agree that it would be easier to solve it in the CAM. But I could not get it, so I was looking for a different solution.
The JPEG was actually just to show what I want to achieve, I am not using that software - it can not manage any import. I use only the CAM of the NX2.
The toolpath that you got looks like what I want.
I tried to split / divide the surfcace like in your pic (also with more divisions), but I am still getting the same error message on the surface area/drive geometry.
Uprading to NX8 could be an option, but I am a one man show here and that is quite a big investment. If I can find a work around in NX2 it would be better.
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
99% of problems with Surface Area method are due to incorrect sequencing of surface selection. Occasionally you do need to open up the chaining tolerances if you have small gaps between sheets or your surfaces are almost regular, but not quite. You do this in Preferences => Selection. In NX7/8 the setting as at the bottom of the dialogue window and will have a method, which I set to "Simple", and a tolerance, which I set to ~ 1 to 5x my modeling tolerance. On very rare occasions you might need to bump that tolerance up even more. Sometimes it actually works better if you set the tolerance tighter so don't just put something huge in there in an attempt to eliminate the influence of that setting.
Once you have a solid understanding of how "Surface Area" works you will be able to clearly see how the patch layout in your model will fit into this selection scheme. You will notice some very obvious problems with the surface layout. With this foresight about what is required for manufacturing you will be able to go back and rework your surfaces appropriately.
Another thing you could try is building a new surface that is appropriately grided that can be defined as the drive surface. The drive geometry does not have to be the surface of your part. You can have some other surface with a similar, but simpler, shape that mimics the flow of the part. The tool path is generated by tracing the drive surface and then projecting onto the part surface along the defined projection vector (usually use "Normal to Drive" for something like this, but others will work). If you have a "Cut Area" selected that will also be considered. Using a separate drive surface like this is more time consuming, because you need to model it, but allows you to cut virtually anything regardless of how the original surfaces are structured.
Streamline essentially creates this extra drive surface for you in a very automated way and works pretty darn well for stuff like this.
NX 7.5.4, NX 8.0.1.5
Tecnomatix Quality 8.0.1.3
PC-DMIS 2011 MR1
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
Thanks for that explanation! I think this is the way to go!
I managed already to get the desired toolpath for the center of the board -I am only missing the tail and nose- by breacking up the surface into an even grid - But I feel I am very close now.
Thank you so much and I will let you know once I have it completly worked out.
Like you say, it comes down to the grid and selection. Same in NX2.
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
as always, once you have one problem solved, the next on comes up straight away...
I got the toolpath going 95% now, but the problem is, that once the disc passes the wide point of the board it keeps cutting with the front and the back actually goes to deep in the board...
I uploaded a screenshot for better understanding.
Is there a way to prevent that ?
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
Why can't you just finish one side down to the mold line with a ball endmill, flip it into a nest, and then finish the other side down to the mold line?
Get yourself a good vaccuum table, mill a nest from some stacked up MDF, put in a few locating stops if necessary, and your good to go.
NX 7.5.4, NX 8.0.1.5
Tecnomatix Quality 8.0.1.3
PC-DMIS 2011 MR1
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
Please see attached screenshot.
The problem with the machining is that these are standard machines to cut surfboards...and I can not midify the settings, as it is not my machine.
My own machine has a ball end mill and we have no problem. But I am in Portugal and the board needs to be cut in Australia.
Anyway, all good now...just need to work ou the last details in nose and tail and I am good.
Thanks again for the amazing help here !
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
Can you post a photo of a finished board?
NX 7.5.4, NX 8.0.1.5
Tecnomatix Quality 8.0.1.3
PC-DMIS 2011 MR1
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
When you get some spare time I would still look into creating a completely separate drive surface. I think that will ultimately be the way to go so you can be totally free with your design and still have confidence that you will be able to quickly generate the toolpath. If you get a good, generic drive surface worked out, maybe something that will scale parametrically with your part through expressions, you will likely be able to create a nice template that will allow you to cut any board that doesn't radically deviate from this shape without any modifications to your CAM operations at all. Then you can just design all day and kick out the toolpaths as an afterthought. This is where NX really gets cool and everything else gets left in the dust.
NX 7.5.4, NX 8.0.1.5
Tecnomatix Quality 8.0.1.3
PC-DMIS 2011 MR1
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
a BIG Thank you for all your help! I would not have made it without your support. We have cut the first board today and the result is great.
I attach you a first picture. The shape is actually a little different to what I have uploaded before. It's a 12'6'' Stand Up Paddle board...
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
Any tips that you can share about how you were able to refine the path to get exactly what you needed?
NX 7.5.4, NX 8.0.1.5
Tecnomatix Quality 8.0.1.3
PC-DMIS 2011 MR1
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
just coming back to how I did it.
I actually followed your advice and designed the surfaces / grid in way that it was selectable.
So the drive geometry and the surfaceds to be cut were the same.
But I also understood how I could use this new geometry to cut a surface that maybe not identical to the drive geometry.
Again a big thank you, we have been cutting more boards already in Australia and it just works perfect.
RE: NX2 - converting multiple sheets into a single sheet
i work with the shape 3d or board cad to draw the surfboard, because its mor simple and fast, i export this shape with step extension , i import to the NX8 and now someone can help me how can i do the rest?
Best regards