Exporting Sequentially Numbered DXFs

[bmcwilliam]

Hi,

I am trying to tackle a problem where we need to generate a single DXF file for a supplier to cut sequentially numbered ID plates. This file would have all the rectangular parts featuring the sequential ID numbers laid out in a grid pattern for them to cut from sheet metal.

I am open to other approaches but this is the method I have attempted so far, and the issues I am having.

1. Create iPart .ipt which has the ID number as a parameter which is driven by the table. iPart children files are then generated with each required ID number. The ipart is a simple rectangle with a text emboss feature and rounded corners.

2. Create an assembly where the grid is populated by each ipart children. The populating was done using an iLogic code to iterate the part placement into a rectangular grid pattern.

3. Initial approach was to place this assembly onto an .idw drawing, export this as an Autocad .dwg file then convert to DXF. This was rejected by the supplier as the curved lines were all in spline form - they require each loop to be a polyline. On doing some research it seems this is a limitation of the Export IDW function - it was suggested that the polyline functionality is available in the Flat Pattern export tool, but not .idw export tool.

4. Attempt to produce a single part that I can generate a flat pattern to export that uses the previously created assembly. I have tried -

• Create "base" plate, derive in the assembly and use the combine tool to create one body
• Derive the assembly into a new part using the single body option
• "Simplify" the assembly into a new part using the single body option

This is where I am stuck, each of these methods causes Inventor to hang up. A lot of the processes with this overall project have been very slow, sometimes causing Inventor to hang for up to 30 minutes which seems very slow. But at this stage 4 Inventor hangs indefinitely - I have left it overnight and returned with it still frozen and unresponsive.

Does anyone have ideas on where or why my current approach is failing, or suggestions for an alternative method to achieve my desired output?

If I can't find a way to do it within Inventor, I am tempted to look into automating the DXF exporting of the ipart children, then look into automating the placement into Autocad. I would guess both of these are achievable, but I have been frustrated that I can't seem to get my current approach to work as in my mind the method is sound.

Am running Inventor 2023 Pro

[jeremy_wasserstrass]

What I do for our waterjet when not exporting from sheet metal is to open the DXF in Autocad type PEDIT, enter, M, enter, then window select everything, enter, Y(to convert), enter, enter. This will convert all splines in the window selection to polylines.

[pcrawley]

Have you tried the Nesting tool?  Since you already have the assembly containing the parts, Nesting would automatically lay them out on a single sheet (you can make the sheet any size you like) - then export the DXF from there.  

The other tip is to select the R12/LT2 DXF format when you do the export.  I understand that version of AutoCAD didn't support splines, so any splines in your IDW (or DWG) are converted to polylines during the export process.  I occasionally use "Save As" > "Save Copy As" > R12 DXF - directly from an IDW and haven't had a problem with splines.