Drawing View for Cam software

[GTuner]

Hello Everyone,

When creating a Drawing View through the View Wizard of a part file my Sheet Cam CAD software will not recognize the geometry when I save as dxf. Sheet Cam needs the dxf format.

For now I get around the problem by retracing the whole drawing. There must be an easier way.

Any suggestions?

Thanks
GTuner

 

[karmoh]

Hi,

You need to Use the Save as Flat command

The Save as Flat command flattens a sheet metal part as 1:1 and saves the part as one of the following document types:

Part document (.par)
Sheet Metal document (.psm)
AutoCAD document (.dxf)
When you specify a .dxf output file, the deformation features are shown in 2D wireframe as they would appear in their formed condition.

It would help if you could tell us which SE version you are running.

There is a lot of info in the help system too. Press F1 and type “Save As Flat command” this should help you on your way.

There are several things that can stop a Cam system recognizing the DXF profile lines, especially if there are large radius folds or notched features and/or corners. Some cam systems have difficulty recognizing splines etc. The DXF translator will convert difficult radiuses and notched corners to splines. You will have to tidy these by converting to arcs. Similar to the way you have been tracing.

Also be aware of the correct Bend allowance.

 

[GTuner]

Dear Karmoh,

Thanks for you suggestion, however, I am using "part" not sheet metal and in part I cannot find the "save as flat" option.

I am running Slid Edge ST, the latest version.

In the help section I find only references to sheet metal in respect to "save as flat"

My hunch is that one would have to make a selection when bringing the part file into the draft environment.

Best
Jorg

 

[karmoh]

my apologies for the confusion.

are you trying to get a 3D part model to a Cam system?
to do what?
Milling? Turning? Laser or Turret Punch?

 

[GTuner]

Hi Karmoh,

Yes, I want to mill on my CNC mill a part that I created as a 3D part model. My CAM software is a 2 1/2 D, thus I need to work from a draft environment. Besides, Solid Edge seems to have not the option to save a 3D part file in dxf.

If I save the drawing (dft) as dxf my CAM program sees nothing.

Best
Jorg

 

[karmoh]

hi Jorg,
Sorry I cannot help with your problem. I mainly deal with fabrication involving Laser and turret punching. On the occasion that I have had to mill or turn parts I have exported the 3D part model as an IGES file

If your parts a just flat plate style components. You could try using the sheet metal environment. You can then switch between the sheet Metal & Part environments with ease. Unfortunately once you create a Part (.PAR) there is no way of switching to sheet metal. Obviously I’m talking about the Traditional environment of SE-ST not the Synchronous environment.

Maybe some of the other regulars may be able to enlighten you.

 

[GTuner]

Dear Karmoh,

Thanks for trying. No my parts are fully 3D I could not create them as Sheet Metal.

I find this problem kind of odd. I mean pretty much everyone these days is using a CNC, so one would think that going from CAD to CAM should be a matter of routine.

Thanks
Jorg

 

[KENAT]

You aren't getting the drawing border or something like that saving down as well are you?

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[GTuner]

Dear Kenat,

I am not sure that I am understanding you question correctly, but to answer it the way I understand it, No, I don't get anything, just totally blank, however, if I draw on top of the drawing view brought in from the "part" (par) environment then my Cam software "sees" that line when I concert the dwg file into dxf.

Best
Jorg

 

[KENAT]

So when you save the draft down as dxf you just get a completely blank file?

Hmm, well maybe try checking out the layers see if something's going on there.

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[karmoh]

Hi Jorg

Have you tried converting the view to 2D.
Click the part view.
Press the right mouse button.
On the shortcut menu, click Convert to 2D View

Although the 2D view is not associative to a 3D model.

 

[GTuner]

Dear Karmoh,

That did the trick!
I knew there had to be a simple standard way of doing it.

Thanks
Jorg

 

[KENAT]

Well done Kermoh, I nearly suggested that last night but when I re-read GTuners post I thought it wouldn't work.

Posting guidelines faq731-376

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(probably not aimed specifically at you)
What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484​

 

[PatCouture]

You can also go directly into the view with the "draw in view" command, you can find it by right clicking on a view Then when you are kind of inside the view you can save as in many format including .dxf. Unfortunately you have only one view but it's a simple method for having only the geometry on a 1:1 scale without the drawing border.

There may be some usefull settings also when you go in the options menu before saving as.

Hope it helps.

Patrick

 

[GTuner]

Thanks Patrick,

Essentially I come to realize that this is all a moot issue. In order for me to create a g-code with my Sheet Cam software I need "levels" for the various depth of cuts and other contours.

When bringing the 3D model into the drwg. it has only the default level, thus I have to use anyway the "draw in view" to trace over the existing lines/curves to create those layers.

Once I do this, saving the created geometry in dxf works.


Again thanks everyone for your contributions.

As an aside, I stepped up from the ancient Version 8 to the current ST version "what a difference!"

Jorg

 

[beachcomber]

Will your CAM software only accept dxf?
If you need depth you could always create several sections in your drawing and save each one as dxf.
This is more or less how you had to do it in the 'old days'
You would create sections and either print them full size or dimension them, then the pattern maker would cut those out, stick them on top of each other and blend it all in.

bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.

Where would we be without sat-nav?

 

[GTuner]

Thanks Beachcomber,

I fail to see the difference / benefit of your suggestion, please point it out to me.

I use "layers" to create the different levels. And, when you have a slot you need to manipulate the drawing anyway to get a closed loop with fillet corners with at least the radius of the tool you are going to use.

Best
Jorg

 

[lapuser]

If I remember right isn't "Sheet Cam" a very basic entry level product? If you have a lot of machining to do I would recommend getting a better program. I machine directly off of 3d solids and I can pick features directly off the part to machine in a variety of ways from profiles to individual surfaces. You are going to have to spend some dollars if you want to be productive in cam. Visual mill has a program you can download for free and use to see if it will fit your needs. You can't post code with it but you can see what a difference working with solids in your cam plan can make and take your time doing so.

 

[GTuner]

Dear Lapuser,

In my line of work, Sheet Cam is doing just fine. I do not have to create new code all the time, thus the extra cost would not be offset by gains in productivity.

I still would like to get a handle on this 2D drawing view. The help menu in Solid Edge does not provide enough instruction how to get a view onto a 2D sheet.

Thanks
Jorg

 

[beachcomber]

Jorg,
There is an add-on from Sycode that looks like it will produce 3D dxf from Solid Edge.

http://www.sycode.com/products/dxf_export_se/index.htm

You can get a 10-day/10-try version to try.

bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.

Where would we be without sat-nav?