Exporting Data from .ipt for cnc tube bender

[garyd]

So our company just purchased a cnc tube bender.  I am trying to figure out how to export our parts out of inventor and into a usable file format like .iges or .dxf. When I created our parts, i did not use the tube and pipe plugin. Isn't it possible to export the bend data from the actual .ipt? 

[kelly.young]

Hello @garyd I see that you are visiting as a new member to the Inventor Forum.
Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

What type of file does the tube bender want to accept? Did it come with software to setup and orient the imported files?

If you have the make and model of the machine you might get more accurate suggestions.

Please select the Accept Solution button if a post solves your issue or answers your question.

[thomas.fitzgerald]

Hi @garyd ,

It depends on how the ipt is created.  If you create a profile and extrude that profile along a path that has radii, then there is no bend intelligence involved.  There is a center line radius but that doesn't necessarily translate to accurate bend data.  In order to accurately capture the information you need, I would use the Tube and Pipe environment to develop your pipe designs.  

[garyd]

Hi Kelly. So our bender wants to accept either a .igs or a .dxf.  It came with software to import into, the only problem is that I dont know how to create the file with the necessary info in it. I have saved some of my models as .iges and then when I try to import them into the machine it gives me errors and it will not import correctly. I have created several parts out of bent tubing and i did not use the tube and pipe plug-in. I dont want to have to remake the parts and I have not played with the tube and pipe plugin much. 

our machine: EB65 CNC 3V1 Erco Bender.

[kelly.young]

@garyd the product documentation states: "Original design files should contain only the tube or pipe drawing and origin point for all axis must be zero. No additional information should be present in the file. 

What workflow have you found that it does like? If you just create a sketch and then sweep, it sounds like the .iges exported is functional? Can you create a simple Tube & Pipe drawing (from the origin point) and see if that is what it likes better? 

If a simple setup works, you might have to isolate the tube parts into it's own setup, possibly with derive or copy object? Then insert into a fresh assembly and constrain to the origin.  Then export to .iges or possibly have to derive the assembly into a part and export. Might have to find the best tricky workflow to make the machine software happy.

Please select the Accept Solution button if a post solves your issue or answers your question.

[garyd]

Hi Kelly,

 I have not yet found any workflow that the machine does like other than the sample files that came with it. I just created a part with a 3D sketch and a sweep with the begining profile starting at the originating point. I saved as .iges and tried it. It did not import. 

I have created a parts library and within that library i have some assemblies of those parts. I'm going to try your suggestion as to start the part in its own setup and go from there. It's looking more and more like im just going to have to use the tube and pipe plugin. i dont mind that, I'm just not up to speed on it. 

Thanks

[kelly.young]

@garyd if you want to attach the sample files, maybe we can get eyes on as to what the program is looking for within the .iges model.

[garyd]

Hi Kelly and Thomas. Sorry for the late reply as I have been trying to create a usable .igs file to import into our new machine. I have attached some files, the 16 .igs imports into the machine just fine. The other non working .igs will not import. Can you guys take a look at these two .igs files and tell me the differences? Note: The working .igs was made in solidworks. All im trying to do is to create a .igs file in inventor that will successfully import into our new bender. 

Thanks guys!! 

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Gary,

I believe this is due to exporting Solid as Solid in IGES. Inventor is one of the few CAD systems supporting IGES Solid translation (IGES is primarily a surface translation forum but it does support solid).

To make it work, when you export it to IGES, click on Options -> select Surface for "Output Solid As." This option will persist.

Many thanks!

[lena.talkhina]

Hello @garyd  !

Great to see you here on Inventor Forum.

Did you find a solution?
If yes, please click on the "Accept as Solution" button as then also other community users can easily find and benefit from the information.
If not please don't hesitate to give an update here in your topic so all members know what ́s the progression on your question is and what might be helpful to achieve what you ́re looking for. 🙂

[garyd]

Update: 

I have not been able to find a solution to this problem:

CNC Tube Bender: EB65 CNC 3V1 Erco Bender, using CML Software. 

 Now, the software is supposed to be able to import 3D model data from two formats, .dxf and .IGS.

For some reason, I cannot make a model in inventor of bent tube, (whether it be in the tube and pipe plugin or just using 2D and 3D sketches with a sweep feature or an extrusion) export it out as a .igs and have it SUCCESSFULLY  import into the software. .igs files work from other CAD software but not Autodesk. I have a support ticket in with Autodesk as well, the ticket has been escalated, but I have not heard anything back from them. Thanks to everyone for your help! 

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Gary,

I am not sure if you read my reply. When you export the IGES file from Inventor, did you change the output option to Surface instead? Default is Solid but a lot of CAE software packages do not support IGES Solid translation.

Many thanks!

[garyd]

Yes I tried changing these three options several times with several different combinations and they all fail to import. 

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Gary,

Please try attached file and see if it works better.

Many thanks!

[garyd]

Hi  johnsonshiue, 

 I tried importing the two files you posted and they both failed. I really appreciate your help! I'm so stumped on this one as I have been trying for months. If anyone else has any suggestions please feel free to chime in! I will keep everyone posted as to what happens with this issue as well as if/when I ever find a solution. 

Thanks again everyone, its nice to have such great support!! 

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Gary,

Then I am almost running out of ideas. I don't understand why the surface IGES files cannot be taken. What does the Bend tool accept? IGES wires?

Many thanks!

[robertast]

@garyd 

I’ll ask differently, you have a sample file of "iges" and "dxf" which your cnc could take?