NC/DXF files based on scribing REQUIRED!!!

[Anonymous]

We need options to take scribing into account when producing NC files.

We are looking for 2 new features in regards to NC Files that related to each other.

Currently we are getting enormous pressure from our clients, as this is becoming a more common deliverable.

Our clients tell us their Tekla detailers can do this and we don't want to loose projects over this.

1. Firstly we need an Assembly Token to be usable with NC Files, as our clients scribe the part number and assembly number onto the parts.  (Reduces marking of the parts once all fittings are assembled)

 2.Secondly we need a Ticks Box option in the NC Settings dialog box that opertates such if the scribing of the parts (NC or DXF) differs from one object     to the next (that are the same item number) it produces extra NC / DXF Files with a suffix.

For example:

The Assembly here is called B2.

In the above example the 4 vertical subs (part number 1000) are all the same.

But with 3 different scribing scenarios.

The desired result with the above features would produce:

B2-1000-1.nc  with a Quantity inside the NC File of 2

B2-1000-2.nc  with a Quantity inside the NC File of 1

B2-1000-3.nc  with a Quantity inside the NC File of 1

B2-1001-1.nc  with a Quantity of 1 (this is the main Part)

B2-500-1.nc   with a Quantity of 5 (this is the plate welded onto the vertical stubs)

[Kane_Nitschke]

Gee this scribing is really becoming an issue, lets hope it gets jumped on straight away!

[iwafb]

There are a lot of threads asking for the scribing to be considered when numbering.

Potentially, this looks like a better idea as it would minimize the part drawings required, but still produce NC data that is correct. Only comment would be that whilst NC could have the correct qty's embedded, how would this be handled in DXF?

Either way, we need to have a fix urgently as it is causing a lot of errors in manufacturing!

Cheers,

Dart

[Tony_Gibbs]

Who in their right mind would want Tekla beating us on this one.

[iwafb]

Another thought.

If the scribe is not considered at numbering, B2-1001-1.nc would have to have to include the suffixed part reference in the scribe so the fabricator knows which shaft goes where...

[Kane_Nitschke]

That could work although that would be the same as giving that piece a separate part number altogether?

[iwafb]

Don't think so. Using the assembly token and suffix would separate/identify the NC/DXF data. The advantage of not giving the part a separate number is still that you don't have additional part drawings to edit/create. However, you need to identify what shaft goes where, so the fabricator is not sorting through variations of shaft 1000.

Hence, B2-1001-1 would show 4 rectangular scribes. If the reference part mark adjacent to each one of the scribes was simply 1000, then it could be hard to determine which variation of shaft 1000 went where. However, if adjacent to each scribe, the reference mark was B2-1000-1, B2-1000-2 (or even 1000-1, 1000-2...) and so on, they would be easily identifiable.

In the example above, the shaft location is fairly obvious. But, I think this is something that would be needed where the changes/differences are more subtle.

[abeeler]

I agree, this would be a great feature.  Currently, after numbering, I select the parts we will have CNC cut and ungroup identical parts.  I then renumber them all differently.  I don't find it to be terribly difficult on small projects, but the larger the model the more headaches it creates, especially after multiple revisions.

I used to create a custom scribing string using %NCPOS_NUM and one or more of the User Attribute tokens, but this did not work well with our MIS software, Fabsuite.  Fabsuite needs to have the DXF/NC file name EXACTLY the same as the part mark. 

My suggestion is that instead of a global DXF/NC scribing setting that applies to all model objects, there should be a field in the Numbering tab of the object's Advance Properties with the title "CNC Scribe" or something similar.  The field would be initially populated by the numbering process but can be manually over-written.  That way the user has the flexibility to set the scribing of ONLY the parts they pick and not affect it globally.

[Anonymous]

I agree totally with the scribing aspect of this thread. This bug needs to be fixed urgently. I also have a client who uses scribing and I am competing with Tekla. This is a big problem for me. 

The assembly token included in the part number becomes a problem though when a part is used on many assemblies. Eg. Purlin cleats. Would this then create many different part numbers, and therefore many drawings, of an otherwise identical part?