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Combine inner & outer cut lengths in sheet-metal cut-list

Question asked by Aaron POE on Oct 14, 2015
Latest reply on Oct 21, 2015 by Aaron POE

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Is there a way to combine the inner and outer cutting length values in the sheet metal cut list properties? If so, is there a way to edit/save the cut-list template to reflect this on every sheet-metal part created. It know its as simple as adding the two values together, but I would prefer to have a single "linked" value/annotation on my drawings that updates with any changes to the part. Our fabrication department uses the total cutting length as a basis for there quoting and I would prefer not to rely on them manually adding these two numbers together and possibly getting an incorrect value. Any help is appreciated.

Garrett Matheron Oct 15, 2015 10:56 AM

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Well, I've found an interesting workaround for the equation. Instead of Cut-List, if you use an indented BOM table you can set the table column for equations and after you save that table template it will maintain the equation. Downside is that there will be a blank row, but you can easily right-click to hide or delete. This situation seems prime for an enhancement request...

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Garrett Matheron Oct 14, 2015 4:55 PM
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Off the cuff, I would suggest adding another variable that sums those two items. For the table, if you create the drawing and bring in the cut-list, you can edit the table the way you want with additional columns to sum the value, etc. After that, you can then save that table as a table template that you could swap out in the sheet-metal part template.
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- Aaron POE @ Garrett Matheron on Oct 14, 2015 5:13 PM
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  I'm not sure I follow. When I insert this cut list information into my drawing's it is populated into one single text block, not a table like a weldment cut list. See the images below. Also, I've tried figuring out a way to add a row in the cut list template to calculate the sum of the two values but haven't had any success yet.
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  - Garrett Matheron @ Aaron POE on Oct 15, 2015 9:11 AM
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    Sorry about that, I got stuck on the Cut-List image. I was playing around with the features and can't seem to pull in just those variables. However, if you did pull in the cut-list table you could set it up like this (ignore the attached note):
    Maybe not the most elegant method, but you could change your column headers to cut-list properties and then create a final column to sum. Keep in mind that SOLIDWORKS tables need to have the equation feature activated for the cell or column.
    Once the button is selected, you'll get the equation window.
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    - Garrett Matheron @ Garrett Matheron on Oct 15, 2015 9:15 AM
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      You could also use the sum function from the dropdown but I was being quick.
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      - Aaron POE @ Garrett Matheron on Oct 15, 2015 9:57 AM
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        OK, I have created the table template and saved it like you instructed, which should allow me to re-use this table in other drawings. It seemed to work great for the original drawing. However, when I insert this new table template into a new drawing the "total" formula does not populate the equation (It just shows up empty). I could just add the equation back in but my goal is to make this something I can simply drop into my drawing and never have to edit, change, update etc. I think this solution would work if I can just get that function cell auto populate when dropped into drawings. I wonder if the same thing could be done with an Excel based table template with better results?
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        Garrett Matheron @ Aaron POE on Oct 15, 2015 10:25 AM
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        I'm noticing the same thing, I thought it was going to save the equation. I'll do some more digging.
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        Garrett Matheron @ Aaron POE on Oct 15, 2015 10:56 AM
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        Well, I've found an interesting workaround for the equation. Instead of Cut-List, if you use an indented BOM table you can set the table column for equations and after you save that table template it will maintain the equation. Downside is that there will be a blank row, but you can easily right-click to hide or delete. This situation seems prime for an enhancement request...
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        Aaron POE @ Garrett Matheron on Oct 15, 2015 12:21 PM
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        I finally got this to work with some trial and error. It seems as though this may be the best work around until SolidWorks adds this "total" value directly into the cut-list properties. I just wish i could hide or remove that pesky blank row. Thanks for the help Garrett!
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        Aaron POE @ Garrett Matheron on Oct 15, 2015 12:44 PM
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        I some how figured out how to hide that first "blank row. See images below for steps. You have to do this each time you insert the table into a new drawing BUT once you do this in the drawing it stays dissolved even after rebuilding. Still another work around for the original work around but it cleans things up a bit more.
        1.Expand the table using this button.
        2.RMB on the "assembly feature" in the first row and select dissolve.
        3.The "blank" row becomes dissolved and the table header appears. Simply click the button circled and hide the header
        4.Hide the columns not needed.
        5.This is the end result. YAY!
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        Garrett Matheron @ Aaron POE on Oct 15, 2015 1:12 PM
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        Excellent! Forgot about the dissolve option, thanks for the screenshots.
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        Aaron POE @ Garrett Matheron on Oct 21, 2015 11:45 AM
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        This solution has been working great so far. Really glad you were able to find this work around. Two thumbs up! I'm not sure if I even need to create an enhancement request now. Thanks again Garrett.
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Bernie Daraz Oct 14, 2015 6:39 PM
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I just display the flat pattern, group select all the edges and press the "M" (measure) key. Don't forget to consider your pierces.
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- Aaron POE @ Bernie Daraz on Oct 15, 2015 2:27 PM
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  This is originally how we calculated the total cutting perimeter (select flat face then measure; total perimeter is the value needed). The issue we were running into was forgetting to update the value when we would ECO the part or possibly entering in an incorrect value. The solution above should hopefully eliminate any possible human error.
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Aaron POE Oct 15, 2015 3:47 PM
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One thing I did notice with these cut-list values is that they DO NOT include "Corner-Trim" features into the inner and/or outer length values. On one of my parts I happened to have a corner-trim feature and out of curiosity I decided to check the calculated values to the measure tool value and sure enough they were slightly different. I removed the corner-trim feature and checked the values again and they matched. This is also something that I will included into the enhancement request. I just thought you all would like to know in case you were using these values with corner-trim features.
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Combine inner & outer cut lengths in sheet-metal cut-list

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