.dxf

[Chuck Pool]

Hi to all:
After a part has been drawn, how do you provide the machinest a .dxf copy (of same part) on disk for his cnc machine?
Thank you.
Chuck

[DareBee]

After you make your drawing go - save as - dxf.

Considering a dxf is used for 2.5D machining; I highly recommend that before the drawing is saved as dxf, that it is 1:1 ratio and you strip all unneeded layers dimensions, sheet formats, views, etc.
It is also a good idea to use version 2000 as a save standard.

[Chuck Pool]

Hello DareBee and all:
(1) How do you know if the drawing is seen as a 1:1 ratio?
(2) If I strip all uneeded material, i.e. dimensions, would not this make the drawing
"Under Definded"?
(3) Can an "Under Definded" part be saved as a .dxf file and still work?
Thank you for your kind consideration.
Chuck

[ger21]

He means you need to create a 2D drawing from your model at 1:1 scale, and delete everything else from the drawing, not from the model.

[Chuck Pool]

Hi ger21 and all:

Is this correct?
(1) Make a drawing from the model, which is in my head, at a 1:1 scale.
(2) After drawing is complete delete all dimension and only have sketch (of drawing) remaining.

This would place the part in an "Under Defind" condition.
(3) Can we still use this sketch in an Under Defind status?
Chuck

[Matt@RFR]

An under defined sketch will be fine as soon as you save it as a .dxf, but why are you running SolidWorks and not making solids?? Aside from that, are you sure your machinist prefers .dxf files? I know I don't, even for 2.5 axis stuff.

[ger21]

I'm not a Solidworks user, but I think your a bit off base. You need to have your solid model created in Solidworks to start. You then let Solidworks create the drawings for you at 1:1 scale on a blank page, with no dimensions, notes, or title block. You don't do anything with the sketch, the drawings are separate from the sketches and model.

Hi ger21 and all:

Is this correct?
(1) Make a drawing from the model, which is in my head, at a 1:1 scale.
(2) After drawing is complete delete all dimension and only have sketch (of drawing) remaining.

This would place the part in an "Under Defind" condition.
(3) Can we still use this sketch in an Under Defind status?
Chuck

[joecnc2006]

when you have your part open in the 3d view, go to file and chose "Make Drawing from Part" this will open a window for you to chose your paper size and title block if needed.

then you just drag the part into the paper space from the side of the next window and crate, front, rear, side, top, bottom and isometric views which ever works for your application. remember you still have the 3d part open, you can togle back and forth under "window"

Joe

[cam1]

The drawing you generate from a solids model is parametrically linked by geometry. the dimensions you place on it in the drawing environment are not linked to the 3D model. If you do a save as .dxf a window pops up telling you that 1:1 mode is enabled.You do not need to strip the dimensions off of the drawing in order to import it into a CAM package. This allows the toolpath designer to verify some dimensions. It's easy to move dims to another layer.

regards

regards

[DareBee]

The drawing you generate from a solids model is parametrically linked by geometry. the dimensions you place on it in the drawing environment are not linked to the 3D model.

This is correct.
You (Chuck) asked about a drawing NOT a model. A drawing is just a photograph of a model. Notes, scale, page format are whatever you want to fit it on the paper, they are not data DRIVING the model features.

If you do a save as .dxf a window pops up telling you that 1:1 mode is enabled

I have never seen this pop-up in all my years of SW.
You don't have to be 1:1, but the first time you spend $10g on parts that are 1/3 scale because someone was too lazy to check the scale with the print - you will be sorry

.You do not need to strip the dimensions off of the drawing in order to import it into a CAM package. This allows the toolpath designer to verify some dimensions. It's easy to move dims to another layer.

This is true as well. but
I always send a paper copy of my "shop drawing" out with my "DXF for CAM"; again - leaving all these extras on the dxf can cause issues and takes extra time to delete or move. My CAM software sees title blocks, lines, leaders, etc the same as any geometry. Why leave things to chance when it is easy to strip before saving?

[cam1]

DareBee:
Good points, I always send a fully dimensioned drawing in pdf or harcopy or both.
As far as the 1:1 popup box is concerned, when you go to save as .dxf and go into the Options dialogue, there is a check box that allows you to select scale output 1:1, and 2)warn me if enabled.
this then creates a popup box when saving as dxf to inform you.

regards

[JerryFlyGuy]

I'd have to echo that I include at least two dimensions on every part when sending it out, for the very reason Darebee mentioned. I've spent the.. well it wasn't $10k but it was $1k on parts which were too small.. we contract out our parts for laser cutting [well.. until yestarday when we bought a High def plasma and a waterjet] so this puts the responsibility on the cutter to confirm that the part they import is the dimension stated.. [I've never had a problem since.. but it's just insurance..]

Our new nesting software just strips all the dim's w/out us doing anything, my CAM does as well. It would depend on what the CNC process is as to how much dim's I'd put on. I think a PDF that goes w/ the job for a machinist is much prefer'd over just a dxf file they have to print and mess w/ to get dimensions..

[/rant]

Jerry