Our NC department flattens our sheet metal parts and creates a NC punch and laser program to create the part. Our problem is that we can’t find an easy way to visually flag tight tolerance holes (PEMs) so that the NC programmer uses a more accurate process.
The NC depart flattens the SolidWorks model, converts it into a DXF file and then transfers it to a specific NC machine software. We're looking for a way for the NC programmer to me flagged for specific tolerances within the 3D model before being converted to DXF.
Sounds like my suggestion would work then to change the color of the hole in the solid model.
FWIW
Changing the color of the hole was my first thought as well. The programmer says he wouldn't be able to see a different color on say a .125 diameter hole on a piece of sheet metal with 40 other holes.
If the programmer has the SW model, he can use power select to select all the faces/holes of a specific color. The programming package may have a similar filter, and can maybe even select by size. But it would probably be better to just look at the tree and see what holes are for PEMs. There are PEM standards in the hole wizard. If you aren't using it, apply your own flag.
What software package to they program with? What do your NC programmers see on their screen? Wireframe or solids? Do they work with SolidWorks native files or a translated dumb solid?
Can you change the color for those holes for tight tolerances? We do that for our close tolerance holes. I typically change the feature color to red for those close tolerance features. Our CNC/Wire programmers work with native SolidWorks files so that color data is available to them for visual clues.