solidworks to dxf question

[daveinarmstrong]

I am sending parts to be cut on a cnc plasma cutter. I start by making a drawing of the part then select an 8.5 x 11 sheet with no lines, right click the sheet and select properties and then change sheet scale to 1:1, then file save as dxf file, export options enable sheet scale = 1:1 count = 1.

Is this the correct way to make a dxf file for cnc cutting or is there something else i should be doing?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[DareBee]

That is pretty much exactly how I do it.

Only difference is I use a custom sheet size.
I make sure I only include the view required. No title block. I include 1 or 2 overall dimensions for them to verify scale.

I have used some cut shops that are retards and they refuse to check scale (no more of my business goes there).

[TheBigJW]

I am sending parts to be cut on a cnc plasma cutter. I start by making a drawing of the part then select an 8.5 x 11 sheet with no lines, right click the sheet and select properties and then change sheet scale to 1:1, then file save as dxf file, export options enable sheet scale = 1:1 count = 1.

Is this the correct way to make a dxf file for cnc cutting or is there something else i should be doing?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Not sure when it came out but it's in SW2010. Select any face and right click and there is a shortcut for dxf/DWG export. Kinda handy.

John

[daveinarmstrong]

Thanks DareBee. my part goes past the sheet. the part is 65 inches and the sheet is only 11 inches. would this cause a problem?

[keebler303]

Thanks DareBee. my part goes past the sheet. the part is 65 inches and the sheet is only 11 inches. would this cause a problem?

Not a problem, it will still be there in the dxf. I always make sure that my drawing view is at 1:1 scale and don't worry about the sheet scale as its not saved in the dxf anyway.

Matt

[DareBee]

Ditto ^
If it bugs you, go to custom sheet size and type in whatever dims you want.

[CNC Lurker]

Not sure when it came out but it's in SW2010. Select any face and right click and there is a shortcut for dxf/DWG export. Kinda handy.

John

Most of the time that works, but sometimes it doesn't. I've had a few parts that have Hole Wizard holes and sometimes those don't show up in the DXF. Instead of gambling and waiting to see IF it will include all features, I have a drawing template that is blank, meaning there is no title block. Just start a new drawing and pick this "DXF Template" and I don't have to remove any extra text or border lines from the DXF.

Saving a sheet metal part as a DXF is easier though, since you just go to File > Save as DXF works every time though.

(using SW 2011)

[daveinarmstrong]

Hi CNC Lurker. When i "save part as" I don't see the option of saving as dxf. I only the option when saving a drawing as dxf.

Solidworks 2008 SP3

[keebler303]

Lurker

When you open a new drawing, you can just uncheck the checkbox for "display sheet format" and you will get no title block or anything, you don't need a separate configuration for it.

Dave

I've never used this capability but I think your part needs to actually be a "sheet metal part" as defined by solidworks, rather than just any old part that looks like it could be made from sheet metal. What you are actually saving is the "flat pattern"

Matt

[cro-magnum]

I'm with lurker. I just save as dxf right from your model. I'm not sure why you don't see it in save as.