Perimeter generation of 3D model for sheetmatl

Hello,

I am hoping someone can direct me to a program or SW plug-in that will
automatically generate the perimeter from a 3D model that a laser
would cut to make a sheet metal part. The SW part would most likely
be imported from another CAD system so it may not have been designed
in SW or even if it was, probably not with sheet metal tools.

We want to employ the power of technology to tell us the total cut
length so we can accurately estimate our laser time. If anyone knows
of a program or even an estimating program that would extract this
info, it would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jay Jacobs

 

Why not just chain the contour in your CAM program &
program the cut? Post should output the time I'd think.
Probably about 5 mouse clicks?

 

First off, Cliff we are not talking about CAM. Most laser software is
proprietary it is not all run under MasterCAM or any other catch all
CAM programming software.


Now Jay, what you are asking for can be done via SolidWorks. Just
right click on an edge while the part is showing the flat pattern,
click "select loop". This should select the outside perimeter, now
click on the measure tool and it will tell you the perimeter length.
This can also be automated with the API to work on a single part or an
entire directory. I did one for a client that worked on an entire
directory of part files, DWG, and DXF files.

JP

 

Jeff,

Sorry for the delay in replying to you. We do not want to go to a flat
pattern or even make it a sheet metal model. I am looking to import an
IGES or STEP file and run an add-in that will automatically tell me
the cutting perimeter with no other work involved. Saving as a sheet
metal part and manipulating to get to a flat pattern takes us too much
time. In other words, we want to do this on the 3D model in non-sheet
metal mode. We do lots of quoting and want to minimize the time it
takes to get this perimeter (which by the way includes outside cut
length as well as any internal holes, slots, etc).

Jay

 

CAM = Computer Aided Manufacturing

Try http://www.spi.de/index_e.htm

...otherwise Jay you'll need to write your own VB addin.

enat

 

The lasers I've programmed had CNC controls that used G-code.
Even the 6 axes one and the one with the vision system.
If you have a laser with a CNC control I'd expect that as an option,
if nothing else.

I don't quite understand you use of "run under" or "catch all"?