DrawingView config driven by a DT

[JD80]

I'm trying to set up a Design Table for a sheet metal assembly.

I'm having problems with the Drawing Views not updating correctly. The design table is set up to control the gauge (thickness) of the metal based on height (I've done this with configurations at the part level). The design table specifies the configuration of the part. The assembly updates the thickness of the metal correctly, but the drawing does not.

This is an issue because even though the formed dimensions are correct, the flat view (used to program the CNC machine) is not correct. In the drawing even if I select the " 'in-use' or last saved" option the part doesn't show the correct thickness. How do I get the part to update in the Drawing View? Even if I get the drawing to recognize the updated part how can I get the correct flat pattern?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

After the DT has been updated, each config will need to be opened and resaved before the drawings will be updated.

There is a macro which does this. Hopefully someone will post a link to it.

 

[JD80]

That's an interesting limitation. Is there a way to update without opening and saving all the parts? The idea here is to get this automated so it's fast and correct.

Even if I update the parts by opening and saving, how do I get the flat pattern to be from the correct thickness?

Is there a way to use configurations to define the drawing view? Using somethign like (Drawing View27 config=$PRPSHEET:"Part Config")

 

[JMirisola]

You might try taking a look at DriveWorksXpress, assuming you're using '08.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP, Certified DriveWorks AE

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

 

[JD80]

I haven't yet. I'm trying to insert this feature into an existing Design Table.

I'm on SW 2008 SP 4.0

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Correction ... I should have said, "After the DT has been updated, each config which has been changed or created will need to be opened and resaved before the drawings will be updated."

How are you creating the flat patterns for the various configs?

How are you creating/placing the views on the drawing sheets?

 

[JMarv]

I think this is the macro CBL mentioned. I'd like to give the author credit, but I don't remember who wrote this or where I downloaded it from.

Joe
SW Office 2008 SP4.0
P4 3.0Ghz 3GB
ATI FireGL X1

 

[JD80]

I set up all the drawing views and dimensions on the "master" drawing file. When we need a new product we pack and go to another folder.

I setup all the flat configurations before I finish with the master file. I create the flats for the different configs using the "model view" icon, I place them on the sheet and then select "flat pattern" from my orientation options.

Then, I'm trying to make it the flat pattern of the in use config...but that isn't working.

 

[handleman]

I'm pretty ignorant about sheet metal and flat patterns. Can you make a flat pattern view of an assembly? The only way you're going to be able to get a drawing view to change which part configuration is shown is to make a one-part assembly and change the config of the part in that assembly. Then you make your drawing views reference that assembly. If you can't make a flat pattern view of an assembly, you're going to have to use your design table to actually modify the part itself rather than just switching its configuration.

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Are you making each config active when creating the views for it?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Can you post a screen capture of your DT?
Or better yet, zip and post a sample of a part and drawing?

 

[JD80]

Here is a stripped down version of the drawing table and assembly. I've left the sldasm, slddrw, and sldprts being changed.

What it's supposed to do is check the height found in P24 or O24 if that number is > 20 it ups the thickness.

 

[JD80]

I've been trying to figure out. how to link the sheetmetal thickness to a cell in the DT. Any ideas on how to do that?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Firstly, make sure the Auto-create option is selected when creating a DT.

Method 1:
When creating the DT, you should be given the option to include the dimension variables. One of them should be Thickness@Sheet-Metal1.

Method 2:
If you are not given that option, just type it into the 'B' row cell of the first unused column.

Method 3:
If you manually create more than one config with a different thickness before creating a DT, the DT should automatically include it.

Method 4:
Open the DT and select the 'B' row cell of the first empty column.
Double click on the Sheet-Metal1 feature in the FM panel.
Somewhere in the graphics window the thickness should be shown. Double click on it and it should be added to the DT.