Parts from Inventor to CNC Plasma Cutter, Proper workflow?

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to find a proper workflow how to get my .ipt parts to right file format that fits to our nesting program. Nesting program is a quite old and doesn't support files newer than Autocad 2000 .dwg/.dxf.

Our current workflow is quite slow and painful, because we have to clean drawings manually and it breaks the link between drawing and 3D model:

1. Design parts in Inventor (.ipt)

2. Create drawing file in Inventor (.idw/.dwg)

3. Save a copy from drawing file to Autocad .dwg

4. Open the copy of drawing in Autocad, remove splines etc. and save in older Autocad 2000 .dwg format

5. Import to Nesting program

How should I do this that it won't break the link between .dwg file and 3D model and those drawings won't have any splines?

[Cadmanto]

What version of Inventor are you running?

My thoughts are at the very least you could place a couple of views of your model on an inventor drawing, save it out as a dwg then in Autocad you can save it out as an older version.

If this solved your issue please mark this posting "Accept as Solution".

Or if you like something that was said and it was helpful, Kudos are appreciated. Thanks!!!! 

     

[Anonymous]

I'm running IV 2013, but if I'll have to save it in Autocad to older version I'll break the link between drawing and model and that's not good at all. If I have to do some changes to model then it's too frustrating and unsure that I'll remember to update the changes to every drawing. 

I have heard that it's possible to save drawings in older .dwg format in Inventor if I'll just save my drawing template to older format in Autocad. Then Inventor just keeps the original format and doesn't migrate it. Is it true?

[mpatchus]

Having gone through this in the past with several clients, it can be a tedious and expensive proces, with somewhat less than stellar results.

Most of them have ultimately found that upgrading their nesting software to be the least painful and, in the long run, cheapest solution.

[Cadmanto]

I can see that.  Not sure what your alternatives are.  Where I used to work what I described is what we used to do.

We were using Solidworks in conjunction with mastercam.  Like you it was a new version of SW and an older version of MC.  The guy that did the conversion kept the files for a bit, but would place a revision designator in the filename to differentiate between them.

As far as the link, we never worried about that.  We just created new dxf files each time an update came down.  I really don't think the link being lost persea is anything to worry about.  Once any files is exported out in anything different then the native format the link automatically is broken.

Hope this helps.

If this solved your issue please mark this posting "Accept as Solution".

Or if you like something that was said and it was helpful, Kudos are appreciated. Thanks!!!! 

     

[mcgyvr]

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@Anonymous wrote:

that upgrading their nesting software to be the least painful and, in the long run, cheapest solution.

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This should get the "Accept as Solution" and should be the first thing you do.. Get off this message board and go find out about the ability to upgrade your nesting software. 

Workarounds cost money and that money adds up quickly. 

[Anonymous]

If I'll accept that broken link and get used to live with that, I still have a problem with splines because CNC cutting machines doesn't like to "eat" splines. It really takes too much time to manually clean all of my drawings.

[yannick3]

Hi

i use two add-ins

I use flat pattern export add-ins, i can set the dxf/dwg name with the revision number

 i just create pdf with the part drawing and automaticly when i save, the DXF is exported to another folder(exclusively for nesting. i can set-up .INI file to set export option with no spline, etc.

It's the best i've seen

the link

http://www.mcadforums.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=34&t=11249

there are another add-ins you can use it's MatProp Publish tool it's in autodesk application exchange

with this add-ins you can export to dxf/dwg and STP + the part drawing in PDF format. very very usefull

the link

http://apps.exchange.autodesk.com/INVNTOR/en/Detail/Index?id=appstore.exchange.autodesk.com%3apublis...

[Anonymous]

I do a lot of DXF output for laser/waterjet cutting and I typically use the right-click, "Export Face As..." option from right inside the part.  It gives you the option to save as an Autocad 2000 part in that save dialog as well.  Can't get much quicker than that if you need just the part shape!

EDIT: This process will not automatically remove Splines, so maybe worthless to you.

[Cadmanto]

I respect that and understand.  Just because it worked for me and my company at the time doesn't mean it will work for you.  Besides, it looks like Mike gave you a good possible solution.

Best of luck with this.  Hope it works out.

If this solved your issue please mark this posting "Accept as Solution".

Or if you like something that was said and it was helpful, Kudos are appreciated. Thanks!!!! 

     

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all, I'll have to try if those methods would fit for us! But of course if someone still has other ways to do that it would be nice to hear!

[yannick3]

EDIT: This process will not automatically remove Splines, so maybe worthless to you.

yes you can if you set .INI file

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote:


EDIT: This process will not automatically remove Splines, so maybe worthless to you.

yes you can if you set .INI file

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Wow - thanks yannick - never knew about that!!  So, to the OP, try this:

- Inside your IPT, right-click on the face and select Export Face As...

- In the Save dialog, click Options at the bottom

- in the DXF File Export Options dialog, in the Post Process section, check the "Customize DWG/DXF" box and choose FlatPatternOpts.xml as your post-processor file.

- Now click "Next" and give it a snappy name, then Save Configuration...

This should let you export a spline-free DXF from directly within the part with only a few clicks going forward.

[yannick3]

Hi

to make .INI file RMB on flat pattern node in the browser

save a copy as

choose dxf or dwg

set the option for your need

after save the configuration, you can only overyde the default one

and that's it

[yannick3]

But the best is to use one of the add-ins and Ifalt pattern export

will automaticly export the dxf on save it's magic