Does anyone know of a quick way to slice a part into layers? I need to slice a part so I can cut it out of sheet metal and then stack it together. I wish there was a tool like 123d slicer in Solidworks, but I haven't found it if their is. I know how to slice a part using planes or surfaced. The problem is that I will end up with over 450 layers. I would really like to not have to manually go in and number each one and create a dxf cut file for each one. Any ideas?
I tried to use a plane to split, but I got a limit on how many planes you can automatically create:
So, I tried using a surface instead. Seems to work well (although slowly). See attached video.
(Basically, I created a surface, Linear patterned the surface, then used it to split the body).
Hi Loren
This technique is with 2 design tables to do the hard work
It is actually slices
2016 attached
edit: forgot to mention
I did the assembly to show you visually, but all you need is the part and then use #TASK
edit2: also forgot to mention use sketch tools > intersection curve on a body is most stable for creating profiles even if the slice creates multiple bodies
how about just using Split command, you do a sketch* for each cut and the split it. it will treat it as a multibody part
*it's not a sketch for every cut. it's one sketch with multiple lines that will split the model.
Try searching splitting, exporting, slices, dxf....
Part of using this forums is to learn how to find existing information.
Good luck
Like I said in my original post, I know how to split a part into layers. I know how too do this a number of ways. But like I said, I'm looking for a way to easily handle 450 splits. I don't know about you, but I'd rather not have to export 450 different parts to dxf. I'm looking for a way to quickly and easily create and export each layer.
Hi Loren,
It's been done. Automated export of section profile. Have you tried to search the forum?
Elmar
Elmar,
Of course I have searched the forum. I didn't find anything so I asked a question. That is how forums work. If you have a link or direction to a forum thread on this topic that my search possibly overlooked I would be glad to go there.
What you're describing is very similar to what a slicer program does with a solid model to prepare it for use by a 3D printer. Perhaps you could look for a slicer program that allows the exportation of slices as .dxf files...?