solidworks to torchmate - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

4x4runner · 03-29-2011, 12:27 PM

Hi guys.
I am having some difficulties getting some solidworks parts cut on my torchmate. Are there some recommended settings/options in the software that would help make this more successful?

I design my parts in solidworks. To cut these, I create a drawing and save it as a DXF file. When I import this into the Cadlite application, it does not always recognize the component as a single closed/connected profile. I try to 'connect path' and then 'break path'. Sometimes this works, but often times I am still left with some lines that are not connected with the other profile segments.

What procedures, or options, have you found to be most successful for getting solidworks parts cut on the torchmate machine?

Will spline based edges work, or do they need to be lines and arcs?

thanks-
greg

Dnmeistr · 03-29-2011, 03:14 PM

There is a tool that you can add to your toolbar that will close shapes for you. Right click on the toolbar and click customize select one of the tools and click Customize again and add the Close Graphics button.

Click on your object and click on Close Graphics button with Show Fill on to see if it changes from dashed line to a solid color.

Rockrunner86 · 03-29-2011, 06:39 PM

Draw the parts as a solid in solidworks and save as a DXF not as a 2d drawing.

javierb14 · 03-30-2011, 06:03 PM

I don't own a torchmate yet, but I do use solidworks. I usually double check that contour of the sketch/drawing is closed before exporting to DXF. I do the following.

Go to tools:
-sketch tools
--check sketch for feature
---select base extrude for the feature usage
----check the sketch

If there is a problem (open contour or endpoint problem), it will report it and highlight it. Click OK, zoom to error, repair sketch, and check again.

*edit*
visual step by step

http://www.theswgeek.com/2008/09/29/...-sketch-tools/

HardcorewannabeXJ · 03-31-2011, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by javierb14

I don't own a torchmate yet, but I do use solidworks. I usually double check that contour of the sketch/drawing is closed before exporting to DXF. I do the following.

Go to tools:
-sketch tools
--check sketch for feature
---select base extrude for the feature usage
----check the sketch

If there is a problem (open contour or endpoint problem), it will report it and highlight it. Click OK, zoom to error, repair sketch, and check again.

*edit*
visual step by step

http://www.theswgeek.com/2008/09/29/...-sketch-tools/

This is kind of irrelevant. The broken lines comes from the fact that in solidworks a square is 4 lines. While there is no physical gap at the corners, the lines are simply touching and not connected. This is fairly easily rectified by simply checking the "close shapes" check box when you import the DXF into Torchmate CAD.

From Solidworks, you can do a File - Save As and save as a DXF file, one particular views, or a surface of a part. You can also create a drawing of your part, scale it to 1:1, and save that drawing file as a DXF. A couple ways.

jonkrell · 03-31-2011, 06:24 PM

ive got this same issue using solid Edge...happens with some drawing but not others.

I draw a file in solidedge, save as dxf, then import into torchmate cad to do cut lines. I've got "close shapes" clicked and i select all and "connect path" or "make path" and still when I do a cut path it has multiple starting points. Anybody have any advice? I can email a file to somebody if they want to check it out.

thanks.

4x4runner · 04-01-2011, 09:48 AM

Thanks for the suggestions- I did try the 'close shapes' too. Still running into this issue. I usually try the 'connect path' and try increasing the number incrementally up to 1/8" or more to see if i can somehow get it to join. I then use 'break path' to get it to recognize the holes as separate paths. Usually this doesn't get it to work.

Some tabs i want to cut still end up with segments that will not merge. My crude work around is identifying them as multiple cuts. Some segments need to be male, some female to get the part to cut. I then have to figure out how to get the lead-ins to come from the correct side...eventually i get it cut.

Everything that I design comes from Solidworks, so I need to figure out a better way that is more consistent. - my most recent set of link tabs took longer to cut on the machine than if i did them with a grinder & drill.

The torchmate TTB setup looks like it was done in SolidWorks, so you guys must have also experienced this at least a few times.

any other suggestions?

thanks
Greg

Rockrunner86 · 04-01-2011, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4x4runner

Thanks for the suggestions- I did try the 'close shapes' too. Still running into this issue. I usually try the 'connect path' and try increasing the number incrementally up to 1/8" or more to see if i can somehow get it to join. I then use 'break path' to get it to recognize the holes as separate paths. Usually this doesn't get it to work.

Some tabs i want to cut still end up with segments that will not merge. My crude work around is identifying them as multiple cuts. Some segments need to be male, some female to get the part to cut. I then have to figure out how to get the lead-ins to come from the correct side...eventually i get it cut.

Everything that I design comes from Solidworks, so I need to figure out a better way that is more consistent. - my most recent set of link tabs took longer to cut on the machine than if i did them with a grinder & drill.

The torchmate TTB setup looks like it was done in SolidWorks, so you guys must have also experienced this at least a few times.

any other suggestions?

thanks
Greg

I only use solidworks for drawing my cut files. Question for you.. Are you drawing the parts in a drawing or as a part?

I have noticed the same issue with SW if you use the drawings instead of drawing a solid part and saving the face you need to cut as a dxf.

K1ngdlm · 04-01-2011, 04:14 PM

I have had my Torchmate 4x4 for about a year now, and have done all my drawings in Solidworks.I draw everything in Sheet Metal and then right click Flat Pattern at the bottom of the design tree. The choose Export Flat Pattern to DXF, click remove bend lines, and save. I don't think I have ever had a problem except one time trying to trace a scanned picture using splines. Hope this helps! Rob King

03-29-2011, 12:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
4x4runner Granite Guru Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 150 Location: Colorado Posts: 923	solidworks to torchmate Hi guys. I am having some difficulties getting some solidworks parts cut on my torchmate. Are there some recommended settings/options in the software that would help make this more successful? I design my parts in solidworks. To cut these, I create a drawing and save it as a DXF file. When I import this into the Cadlite application, it does not always recognize the component as a single closed/connected profile. I try to 'connect path' and then 'break path'. Sometimes this works, but often times I am still left with some lines that are not connected with the other profile segments. What procedures, or options, have you found to be most successful for getting solidworks parts cut on the torchmate machine? Will spline based edges work, or do they need to be lines and arcs? thanks- greg

03-29-2011, 06:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rockrunner86 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Member # 70933 Location: Albany Oregon Posts: 751	Draw the parts as a solid in solidworks and save as a DXF not as a 2d drawing. __________________ [SIZE="4"]Total Metal Innovations 541-223-8608[/SIZE] [SIZE="3"]Weld on Beadlocks with the only Patent Pending Integrated Anti Coning Technology [url]http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?p=14083618#post14083618[/url][/SIZE] [email]Tyler@totalmetalinnovations.com[/email]

03-30-2011, 06:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
javierb14 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Member # 183766 Posts: 1	I don't own a torchmate yet, but I do use solidworks. I usually double check that contour of the sketch/drawing is closed before exporting to DXF. I do the following. Go to tools: -sketch tools --check sketch for feature ---select base extrude for the feature usage ----check the sketch If there is a problem (open contour or endpoint problem), it will report it and highlight it. Click OK, zoom to error, repair sketch, and check again. edit visual step by step http://www.theswgeek.com/2008/09/29/...-sketch-tools/ __________________ TurboFX.net welding, fabrication, engineering, etc Last edited by javierb14; 03-30-2011 at 06:13 PM.

04-01-2011, 09:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
4x4runner Granite Guru Join Date: Feb 2000 Member # 150 Location: Colorado Posts: 923	Thanks for the suggestions- I did try the 'close shapes' too. Still running into this issue. I usually try the 'connect path' and try increasing the number incrementally up to 1/8" or more to see if i can somehow get it to join. I then use 'break path' to get it to recognize the holes as separate paths. Usually this doesn't get it to work. Some tabs i want to cut still end up with segments that will not merge. My crude work around is identifying them as multiple cuts. Some segments need to be male, some female to get the part to cut. I then have to figure out how to get the lead-ins to come from the correct side...eventually i get it cut. Everything that I design comes from Solidworks, so I need to figure out a better way that is more consistent. - my most recent set of link tabs took longer to cut on the machine than if i did them with a grinder & drill. The torchmate TTB setup looks like it was done in SolidWorks, so you guys must have also experienced this at least a few times. any other suggestions? thanks Greg Last edited by 4x4runner; 04-01-2011 at 09:52 AM.

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03-29-2011, 03:14 PM	#2 (permalink)
Dnmeistr Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Member # 115338 Posts: 418	There is a tool that you can add to your toolbar that will close shapes for you. Right click on the toolbar and click customize select one of the tools and click Customize again and add the Close Graphics button. Click on your object and click on Close Graphics button with Show Fill on to see if it changes from dashed line to a solid color.

03-31-2011, 06:24 PM	#6 (permalink)
jonkrell Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Member # 64173 Location: San Dimas Posts: 73	ive got this same issue using solid Edge...happens with some drawing but not others. I draw a file in solidedge, save as dxf, then import into torchmate cad to do cut lines. I've got "close shapes" clicked and i select all and "connect path" or "make path" and still when I do a cut path it has multiple starting points. Anybody have any advice? I can email a file to somebody if they want to check it out. thanks.

04-01-2011, 04:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
K1ngdlm Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Member # 187308 Location: PA Posts: 1	I have had my Torchmate 4x4 for about a year now, and have done all my drawings in Solidworks.I draw everything in Sheet Metal and then right click Flat Pattern at the bottom of the design tree. The choose Export Flat Pattern to DXF, click remove bend lines, and save. I don't think I have ever had a problem except one time trying to trace a scanned picture using splines. Hope this helps! Rob King