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How can i make Louvers (Form Tool) Export there profile and centre information to DXF

Question asked by Stephen Muir on Nov 6, 2015
Latest reply on May 17, 2016 by Raymond Sanders

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We have recently started using a large number of forming tools in our new parts and i have been trying to use export to DXF to show the tool centres and orientation in a flat pattern. While all other form tools seem to show perfectly Louver Tools dont show up unless i show the punch itself which does not import nicely to my CAM software as they export lines that are not all on the same plane.

Is this a defect? or is there a specific way the louver Form tool needs to be drawn? i have tried using my own form tools as well as the solidworks supplied Examples with the same results.

Bjorn Hulman Nov 6, 2015 11:08 AM

Correct Answer

You should be able to show the sketch in the feature which positions the feature. That means you'll want to show sketches in the drawing also. You can then dimension to that.

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Bjorn Hulman Nov 6, 2015 10:34 AM

Hi Stephen,

have you talked to your sheetmetal fabricator? Have you created to louvre feature as per a tool they have? If so you really only need to annotate the tool number on the drawing. If you haven't, they may well need to buy / make the tool or they'll suggest one they have that is near abouts to what you have drawn.

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Stephen Muir @ Bjorn Hulman on Nov 6, 2015 10:54 AM

Actually I am the sheet metal manufacturer. i am trying to have the tool centres appear on DXF's so that i can import the DXF to Trutops Programming System then generate a program for our Trupunch.

Yes having just a tool centre and ID number would be fine but louvres just don't seem to do that. i was able to get the tool centre to appear for a .250" Cup Emboss (Dimple) But the Louvre tools and apparently Lance+Form Tools don't work

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Bjorn Hulman @ Stephen Muir on Nov 6, 2015 10:59 AM

Not using topsworks then?

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Stephen Muir @ Bjorn Hulman on Nov 6, 2015 11:01 AM

No, The Software Intrigues Me but i have yet to try it.

We have only had our trupunch for 3 Months or so and are still learning all of the tricks.

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Bjorn Hulman @ Stephen Muir on Nov 6, 2015 11:04 AM

Fair enough. I worked for 5 years where we had the complete suite. And I'll have to say it works very nicely.

How do you place the form tool? Do you create a sketch with points first, then drag and drop to those points? Or do you drag them then dimension them?

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Stephen Muir @ Bjorn Hulman on Nov 6, 2015 11:08 AM

Drag then dimension has been our method thus far, however now that you mention it i can see the benefit in creating a point sketch first.

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Bjorn Hulman @ Bjorn Hulman on Nov 6, 2015 11:08 AM

You should be able to show the sketch in the feature which positions the feature. That means you'll want to show sketches in the drawing also. You can then dimension to that.

Actions

Raymond Sanders @ Bjorn Hulman on May 17, 2016 12:50 PM

This does NOT work with louver tools. As Stephen noted below, if you do not output the form tool punches, you get nothing in the DXF file. How can you get just the orientation profile to output in the DXF file?

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Dennis Bacon Nov 6, 2015 11:20 AM

I'm assuming you have the settings correct in Doc Properties?.. Then when exported to dxf (I don't do that since I can save directly to my cad\cam with tool id number also) the profile and center should go with it. The following is the sample louver tool that comes with SW.

DXF..

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Stephen Muir @ Dennis Bacon on Nov 9, 2015 12:29 PM

Yes Except i turn off show form tool punches when flattened because otherwise i end up with Extra Elements that should not be on the 2D Cut Plane(Such as the 2 horizontal lines in your DXF detailing the end of the radius).

Trumpf requires a single closed contour for tool assignment

Also i have tried Changing the settings in Doc Properties and i have also tried using the override buttons at the bottom of the form tool Features property manger

And When i export to DXF there is no profile, no centre, only the outer geometry of the part.

This method does work for simple forms such as an extruded hole, or for a cup emboss / dimple. However following the same rules with the louver tool yields no results.

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10 Replies

Bjorn Hulman Nov 6, 2015 10:34 AM
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Correct Answer
Hi Stephen,

have you talked to your sheetmetal fabricator? Have you created to louvre feature as per a tool they have? If so you really only need to annotate the tool number on the drawing. If you haven't, they may well need to buy / make the tool or they'll suggest one they have that is near abouts to what you have drawn.
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- Stephen Muir @ Bjorn Hulman on Nov 6, 2015 10:54 AM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Actually I am the sheet metal manufacturer. i am trying to have the tool centres appear on DXF's so that i can import the DXF to Trutops Programming System then generate a program for our Trupunch.
  
  Yes having just a tool centre and ID number would be fine but louvres just don't seem to do that. i was able to get the tool centre to appear for a .250" Cup Emboss (Dimple) But the Louvre tools and apparently Lance+Form Tools don't work
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  - Bjorn Hulman @ Stephen Muir on Nov 6, 2015 10:59 AM
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    Correct Answer
    Not using topsworks then?
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    - Stephen Muir @ Bjorn Hulman on Nov 6, 2015 11:01 AM
      Mark Correct
      Correct Answer
      No, The Software Intrigues Me but i have yet to try it.
      We have only had our trupunch for 3 Months or so and are still learning all of the tricks.
      Like • Show 0 Likes0
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      - Bjorn Hulman @ Stephen Muir on Nov 6, 2015 11:04 AM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        Fair enough. I worked for 5 years where we had the complete suite. And I'll have to say it works very nicely.
        How do you place the form tool? Do you create a sketch with points first, then drag and drop to those points? Or do you drag them then dimension them?
        Like • Show 0 Likes0
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        Stephen Muir @ Bjorn Hulman on Nov 6, 2015 11:08 AM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        Drag then dimension has been our method thus far, however now that you mention it i can see the benefit in creating a point sketch first.
        Like • Show 0 Likes0
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        Bjorn Hulman @ Bjorn Hulman on Nov 6, 2015 11:08 AM
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        Correct Answer
        You should be able to show the sketch in the feature which positions the feature. That means you'll want to show sketches in the drawing also. You can then dimension to that.
        Like • Show 0 Likes0
        Actions
        Raymond Sanders @ Bjorn Hulman on May 17, 2016 12:50 PM
        Mark Correct
        Correct Answer
        This does NOT work with louver tools. As Stephen noted below, if you do not output the form tool punches, you get nothing in the DXF file. How can you get just the orientation profile to output in the DXF file?
        Like • Show 0 Likes0
        Actions
Dennis Bacon Nov 6, 2015 11:20 AM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
I'm assuming you have the settings correct in Doc Properties?.. Then when exported to dxf (I don't do that since I can save directly to my cad\cam with tool id number also) the profile and center should go with it. The following is the sample louver tool that comes with SW.
DXF..
Like • Show 0 Likes0
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- Stephen Muir @ Dennis Bacon on Nov 9, 2015 12:29 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Yes Except i turn off show form tool punches when flattened because otherwise i end up with Extra Elements that should not be on the 2D Cut Plane(Such as the 2 horizontal lines in your DXF detailing the end of the radius).
  
  Trumpf requires a single closed contour for tool assignment
  
  Also i have tried Changing the settings in Doc Properties and i have also tried using the override buttons at the bottom of the form tool Features property manger
  
  And When i export to DXF there is no profile, no centre, only the outer geometry of the part.
  
  This method does work for simple forms such as an extruded hole, or for a cup emboss / dimple. However following the same rules with the louver tool yields no results.
  Like • Show 0 Likes0
  Actions

How can i make Louvers (Form Tool) Export there profile and centre information to DXF

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