8 Replies Latest reply on Dec 13, 2011 7:01 AM by Scott McFadden

Establishing relationships/links between components and their DXF files.

malcolm morton Dec 9, 2011 8:58 AM

We are taking delivery of a new turret punch machine in the new year and we would like to explore how to create a degree of associativity between a part and it's flat pattern dxf so that the two files are always "in step".

Not sure if this is best managed through workflow or via some other method.

The desired end result is that dxfs always reflect the features from their parent model, even when these models are revised.

Re: Establishing relationships/links between components and their DXF files.

Scott McFadden Dec 9, 2011 9:18 AM (in response to malcolm morton)

Malcolm,
Once dxf's are created they are no longer associated with the file they come from.
This holds true for any exported type file.
What I can suggest is looking into something called the design binder.
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- Re: Establishing relationships/links between components and their DXF files.
  
  Kevin De Smet Dec 10, 2011 2:05 PM (in response to Scott McFadden)
  
  Wouldn't Workgroup or Enterprise PDM be able to handle this? I'm not familiar enough with the PDM products to confirm this, though.
  
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  - Re: Establishing relationships/links between components and their DXF files.
    
    Scott McFadden Dec 10, 2011 4:53 PM (in response to Kevin De Smet)
    
    Kevin,
    Yes it would handle it. Really no different as far as linking though.
    Any files can be checked into the vault and linked together and even rev controlled
    there, but it still cannot be parametric as I think Malcolm is looking to do.
    The big question would be does he have PDM?
    
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    - Re: Establishing relationships/links between components and their DXF files.
      
      malcolm morton Dec 12, 2011 2:53 AM (in response to Scott McFadden)
      
      Yes we have PDM
      
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      - Re: Establishing relationships/links between components and their DXF files.
        
        Scott McFadden Dec 12, 2011 1:24 PM (in response to malcolm morton)
        
        Well, then it looks like you have some options then.
        Which PDM? Workgroup or EPDM?
        
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        Re: Establishing relationships/links between components and their DXF files.
        
        malcolm morton Dec 13, 2011 3:02 AM (in response to Scott McFadden)
        
        We have EPDM Scott. Ultimately I think this is about establishing a best working practice whether within the parameters of Solidworks / PDM or externally to these systems. I would imagine that it's a common issue for anyone trying to keep dxf's & models in sync. We wondered whether if, for example, it was possible to automate the deletion of a dxf once a model was placed "under change " or "under review" thus denying the turret guys access,as a precautionary measure.
        
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        Re: Establishing relationships/links between components and their DXF files.
        
        Scott McFadden Dec 13, 2011 7:01 AM (in response to malcolm morton)
        
        I know what you are talking about. You can always change the permissions
        within PDM to not allow access. I have also seen the linking of non-solidworks
        files to solidworks files within the vault. But like you said, it is all in how you
        want to arrange it that makes it work best for you.
        
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Re: Establishing relationships/links between components and their DXF files.

Kelvin Lamport Dec 10, 2011 11:28 PM (in response to malcolm morton)

Use a macro which combines a Save with a Save as > DXF. Map the macro to a keyboard shortcut to simplify the save.
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