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From SOLIDWORKS to Prototype
From SOLIDWORKS to Prototype
Preparing your model for Laser Engraving/Cutting
Preparing your model for Laser Engraving/Cutting
Laser Prototyping is a topic that’s in the forefront every designer and engineers mind nowadays. The ever increasing array of technologies and cost effective solutions available on the market, mean that the option to use prototyping equipment to prove a design is more readily available to us than ever before. So once we`ve used SOLIDWORKS to finalise those last design details, how do we successfully make the transition from SOLIDWORKS to a BossLaser?
DXF files
DXF files
We design in a 3D world, but many parts are manufactured from flat sheets. The flat pattern of a sheet metal part and flat plates used in weldments are examples. Laser and waterjet cutters of flat parts will need to use a DXF file instead of native geometry. Let’s look at several ways to create DXF files.
So what is an DXF file?
DXF (Drawing eXchange Format) is a CAD data file format developed by Autodesk for enabling data interoperability between CAD programs. DXF enables vector data exchange as well as 2D and 3D graphics drawing. The idea is that if the file format is supported in various 3D modeling programs, they can all import/export the same documents with ease. With your part (or assembly) opened inside SOLIDWORKS simply click File>Save as to open the usual Save As window. Then use the drop down to select .dxf from the list.
This method of saving a .dxf file will generate the file with the default resolution settings. However these settings may not suitable for our laser and could have a negative effect on the quality of your cut or engraving, so you should consider if you need to make any changes to ensure you have the correct settings.
(Exporting 2D DXF files)
Option 1 File > Save As > DXF is the most general method. The dialog at the right requires several inputs from the user: Be sure to select a view that is normal to the flat part and deselect the others. The output alignment tools specify the X and Y axes and whether the part is flipped on an axis.
Option 2 For an inherently flat part or an unfolded sheet metal part, right click on the face and select Export to DXF/DWG from the context menu. In this case, there’s no dialog to select a view because the face determines the view. This workflow is a little faster.
Option 3 You can also right click the Flat Pattern feature in the Feature Manager to see a different dialog. For cutting only, just select Geometry as the entities to export and set Output Alignment as desired.
There’s yet another way to do this. One of our customers wanted to make a SolidWorks drawing as an intermediate step, but the title block, dimensions and annotations were exported to the DXF and interpreted by the laser cutter as actual geometry.
There’s a solution: Create a second sheet and edit Sheet Properties so no format is displayed. Set the sheet scale to 1:1. Return to Sheet 1, select the Flat Pattern view and Control-C to copy it. There may be a warning that not all items in the view can be copied, but ignore it. Change to Sheet 2, left click anywhere on the sheet and Control-V to paste a copy of the flat pattern view. Now delete any dimensions and annotations. Right click the bend lines and Hide. There will be a message that bend notes will be hidden as well. Click Yes to continue. The desired result is Sheet2 that contains nothing but the outline geometry of the flat pattern, with no notes, annotations, title block etc.
Finally File > Save As > DXF, click the Options button and select “Export active sheet only” > OK > Save
The drawing now serves two purposes: Sheet1 is fully dimensioned and annotated as a design document, while Sheet2 is never printed but used only for DXF export.
SolidWorks Export Procedures for the Laser
SolidWorks Export Procedures for the Laser
To save a model or a model assembly in DXF Format:
Click on images to enlargeFile > Save As (Save As dialog box opens)
From the Save As type drop-down menu select DXF (*.Dxf)
Click Save
The DXF/DWG Output Property Manager appears. Under "Views To Export", Check *Front (The view may vary, depending on what plane you drew it on) and Uncheck *Current.
The DXF/DWG Cleanup window appears. This is your last opportunity clean up any unwanted entities.
NOTE: Be sure to select a view that is normal to the flat part and deselect the others
Click Save
Solidworks Drawing Export
Solidworks Drawing Export
File > New > Drawing
Select Custom Sheet Size, Enter 16” for the Width and 14” for the Height. This represent the bed of the laser. Think of it as print margins. Anything we want to cut or engrave must be within the margin.
Place the front view of each Invader on the sheet. Make sure, your scale is 1:1.
Make sure your units are in IPS (inches).
Show the Layer Toolbar and Line Format Toolbar.
Create new layers and name them.
Assign a color to the layers.
Select the entities for the layer
Select Convert Entities from the Sketch tab
Select the converted entities and hide edges using the Show/Hide Edges button.
Select the converted entities and change layers.
Select the converted entities and change colors.
Repeat the same process on the rest of the entities to change attributes (layers, colors ect..).
Save as DXF file.
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