Hey everyone!

New to the forum, but not to SolidWorks.  However, at my newest career move, I've discovered a big weakness in my SW skillset: Creating an ever-changing series of outputs using templates that never change with the input being a curve generated from an IGES file.

(if this has been discussed, please point me in the right direction.  I didn't find what I was looking for in a search)

So here's the breakdown...

We have an object that we 3D Scan, create 17 sections using "GOM Inspect" software at 17 different locations on the object, and then export the created section into their own IGES files which translate to a series of curves that represent the shape of the object in those 17 different places.

After creating these IGES files the idea is to create 17 different laser-cut templates to inspect the ACTUAL object that was scanned later on during its life (quality stuff).  The templates are placed exactly where the sections were taken and translated on a large setup table.  The laser cutting requires a DXF and a PDF for reference.

Doing this one or two times is easy.  The problem is that the same process is done for SEVERAL objects during the year and templates made for each.  It's time consuming to recreate these each time, and doing "save-as" modeling and drawing construction has huge error factor since it's all manual.  Creating each set of files to be sent out for laser cutting takes about 7 hours.  I need to cut this in half or better.

Up to this point the process is as follows:

Import 3D Scan into GOM --->  Create a section in 17 different locations (X,YZ coordinate system) ---> Export 17 sections (curves) as IGES files ---> create 17 SW part files by opening up each IGES file and creating a profile for the laser cut template ---> create Drawing, PDF, and DXF from part file  --->  (send to laser cutter)  --->  REPEAT

Desired Process:

Import 3D Scan into GOM --->  Create a section in 17 different locations (X,YZ coordinate system) ---> Export 17 sections (curves) as IGES files ---> Open each IGES file in its own SW part template directly linked to a Drawing flie ---> create PDF and DXF ---> (send to laser) ---> repeat

Ideal Process:

3D scan ---> out pops laser cut templates.    (only dreaming)

So, what is the best way to tackle this?  Create 17 different drawing templates and part file templates (one for each location) and work backwards?  The profile that changes each time does NOT need annotations or dimensions, but the part that is the SAME everytime does.  So I was thinking if I created a part template for each with an overal extrusion in place I could simply import the IGES curve and create a cut sketch for each one.  But, I can't seem to link the two.

What do you guys suggest?  How should I approach this?  Is it Macro time?  Am I over-looking a basic concept?

Any help would be appreciated!

THANK YOU!

Scott