Work flow to create a blank with additional material?

[jeremy_wasserstrass]

We have a waterjetand machine shop at my place of employment, and currently my work flow is to draw the parts. Then for parts that need material left for machining I create a new part and using the derive tool I place my base part which I then apply extrusions to fill the holes and use thicken to add material to the surfaces that need machining. Being a self taught user I have to ask is there a better work flow to get blanks that update with my parts in the assembly? Currently we are using 2013.

[JDMather]

You can use Delete Face with Heal option to fill holes rather than doing extrusions.

Might look into possible iLogic solutions.

[jeremy_wasserstrass]

Thanks. I had to set my ribbon back to normal to find the delete face tool, definatly worth it though.

[dlmsdm1]

You could also use the Weldment Feature. You will have one IPT and one IAM file. Pre machining and Post machining can be shown with the IAM. This is helpful for machining after weldments as well. Take a little planning ahead of time, but cleaner.

[blair]

There was a great workflow for this in last years AU2012 using a iPart. This allows for the main part to push out "versions" than have incremental steps to cover ear machining process.