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Exporting for CAM
What is the fastest method of exporting a design / assembly from spaceclaim to CAM or other software?
I just have a rather small assembly that is made up of say 50 to 60 parts today. All except two or three are to be CNC milled or turned. So, I need to export them all as individual ACIS.sat files, because our CAM software is ACIS based.
The classical method would be to open each of the 60 components one by one and save as ACIS. That would take say 1 to 2 minutes per part, including browsing, creating folders and typing the accurate names in the save dialog.
The preferred method, though, would be to open the assembly file and export with a "multi file option" as 60 individual files in one go. The files would automatically be named according to component names, of course, while nested folders automatically created represent the structure tree. The BOM would be automatically exported as a spreadsheet and placed in the topmost folder, too. Time saved: Approx 1,5 to 2 hours.
Now think of an assembly that has a few hundred parts ... that sums up.
Is there a way to do the above economically in Spaceclaim?
Or, if not: Will there be?
Martin
I just have a rather small assembly that is made up of say 50 to 60 parts today. All except two or three are to be CNC milled or turned. So, I need to export them all as individual ACIS.sat files, because our CAM software is ACIS based.
The classical method would be to open each of the 60 components one by one and save as ACIS. That would take say 1 to 2 minutes per part, including browsing, creating folders and typing the accurate names in the save dialog.
The preferred method, though, would be to open the assembly file and export with a "multi file option" as 60 individual files in one go. The files would automatically be named according to component names, of course, while nested folders automatically created represent the structure tree. The BOM would be automatically exported as a spreadsheet and placed in the topmost folder, too. Time saved: Approx 1,5 to 2 hours.
Now think of an assembly that has a few hundred parts ... that sums up.
Is there a way to do the above economically in Spaceclaim?
Or, if not: Will there be?
Martin
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Paul Bock on -
I would be curious how the SpaceClaim guys respond to this. If their "open" format is documented well enough like the microsoft office XML formats it should be easy to create a tool to manipulate the files within the zip/XML container. One of the main reasons I am attracted to SpaceClaim is the open document format. I would like to build my own PDM system around this format. One of the first two tests will be to be able to programmatically break apart an "internal" assembly into a collection of seperate component parts, and be able to analyze a component file and check for missing document properties. This last test will allow me to compare a file against a "start part" and will allow me to correct a component not created using a standardize "start part".
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Permalink Reply by martin kopplow on -
The XML container indeed has all the information I need and it is almost organized in the preferred manner, it's only that SC uses cryptical names and the binary ACIS format while almost all other applications (and this includes our CAM system) require data to be available in ACIS text format.
Maybe a little program that could open the XML container, batch-convert and accurately re-name the files inside the Spaceclaim/geometry folder would do most of what I need. I am not a gifted programmer, though.
Is there any ACIS binary-to-text-converter publically available?
Martin
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Permalink Reply by Paul Horrox on -
Hello Martin,
Im curious as to which CAM package you are using please, im having problems exporting directly out of SC into EdgeCAM?
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Permalink Reply by martin kopplow on
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Hello Paul,
we are using a CAM package by Schott Systems.
You may find more info here: www.schott-systeme.com
It looks a bit like a jeweler's tool and the name might be misleading: It is in fact quite powerful.
Sorry, I never tried edgeCAM. What modelling kernel is it built upon?
Martin
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Permalink Reply by Paul Horrox on
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Hi Martin,
Never heard of that one before but it certainly looks capable.
EdgeCAM is CAM only so no engine to speak of. I do however of a Solid Machinist license which is supposed to read ACIS but something aint quite right. I'm working with both parties to help find a solution.....
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