CAD users

[Sanjay Gandhi]

Hi !

We have now 4.1 version with Cad++ feature and I would like to prepare a proposal for buying Solidworks extra copy to install on my computer so that I can use Direct to Cad ( Correct me if I am wrong ) . Is anybody using Direct to Cad effectively and help me to prepare proposal by mentioninig the benifites of going for the same ?

I need to justify my suggestion.

Thanks

Sanjay Gandhi

[Jan d.]

Hi !

We have now 4.1 version with Cad++ feature and I would like to prepare a proposal for buying Solidworks extra copy to install on my computer so that I can use Direct to Cad ( Correct me if I am wrong ) . Is anybody using Direct to Cad effectively and help me to prepare proposal by mentioninig the benifites of going for the same ?

I need to justify my suggestion.

Thanks

Sanjay Gandhi

Sanjay, I presume you are referring to the Direct CAD interface?

I am using that. However, I only use it because our models did NOT translate welll from Pro-E through STEP or IGES into PC-DMIS. 50% of the models did not come in clean, to the point they were un-usable for programming.

I would NEVER use the Direct CAD interface, IF my models had translated cleanly. However, I learned that one does NOT declare victory if you have 1 model that you can get into PC-DMIS through STEP. It took me about 5 models before I stumbled upon major problems. They all vanished, the moment I used Direct CAD.

Now that I have Direct CAD, I am anxiously waiting (ahum ) for the promised implementation of GD&T direct transfer. That would again save me loads of programming time.

For me it was an easy justification: I either get it and use my Pro/E models, or program all by hand. That was the easiest justification I ever did!

I have no idea how well PC-DMIS is integrated with Solidworks.



Jan.

[Peter Warcholyk]

Sanjay & Jan d,

What are the benefits to using "solidworks" or "like type" products.

Currently, our engineering department supplies me with either iges, or step files. Sometimes these files do not come in cleanly, and they have to redo them for me.

Also, if anyone is able to explain how well pcdmis integrates with solidworks please continue to do so.

Thanks,
ZydecoPete

[Jan d.]

When I went from our Pro/E models to STEp or IGES into PC-DMIS, in 50% of the cases, I lost complete features, mostly surfaces. I have tried almost every possible variation within Pro/E but none of the "bad" files ever were workable.

There are 2 issues really:
1: Does the mechanical engineer create clean models? Meaning are all features at the dimensioned nominal position. In our company, this sometimes happens with older models. But everything I work on is usually quite clean in this regard. We have VERY stringent rules on producing 3D CAD (for example: we purchase castings by just providing the 3D model, no print). So here I am lucky! If your CAD is NOT clean in this aspect, you've got a real problem on your hands! You have to verify every nominal! That can be a bigger pain than just programming per print.
2: Does it translate well into STEP/IGES and then into PC-DMIS: here I am not so lucky. As I said before, only 50% of my models survive that process. The other 50% are unworkable. And then I have to use Direct CAD, which, by the way, has worked for me in 100% of the casses!

I think that going from Solidworks to PC-DMIS is far more streamlined. I know that in the early days of CAD interfaces, Solidworks and Hexagon seemed to have a very close relation (Garcia is now VP for development now at Solidworks).

My vote is that if your models come in clean the second way, don't spend the money on the Direct CAD. However, the moment you start to see problems, you may be forced into it.


Jan.

[djayne]

Sanjay
If your company's computers are on a server, the SolidWorks seat can reside there with access from any computer on the server on a one-at-a-time per seat basis. This may be more logical considering the little use you will nead SolidWorks to convert your files if that is all you are needing SolidWorks for.

[JamesMannes]

Jan D.,
Curious but had you tried the "alternate IGES" method of importing any of theses models? If not, could you and get back to me? Just nosy.

[MrComment]

Ive tried IGES alternate on a couple of models (source CATIA v5). Sometimes it actually appears to import much better, other times it doesnt seem to work at all (as in PCDMIS locks up solid).

Id love to have a CAD license and the DCI to go with it. Unfortunately I always seem to find a way to make it just good enough to get by. Its getting very old... Also Design is currently using 4 different version of CAD software too.

Its hard to prove were the fault truely is but I tend to think its with the PCDMIS import tools IGES or STEP are equally bad IMHO or possibly its just the .CAD PCDMIS mystery format.

Its such a pain the rump.. Just the other day I had trouble with the transform tools (v4.1 only) after importing a STEP file, The original coordinate system was being used for Auto Circles, but not for Vector Points (I call it the "neato bug"). A problem which Ive seen before from a Unigraphics source to IGES to PCDMIS transmutilation.

Of course the simple little bnsblock.igs file works just fine though, so PCDMIS must be working fine (of course). So who knows what the heck is going on.

Translating files sigh what a chore.

[mattfurtaw]

I have Direct CAD Interface for Unigraphics on my system. For some reason I still can't get it to import correctly. I think it has something to do with how it searches for the files.

I also installed Unigraphic's because our drafting department never created the WCS system as the Datum scheme on the parts. So I had to either have them change it and wait forever or do it myself.

I now use PC DMIS CAD++ 4.1 and I think you can change all that right in DMIS. Haven't really looked yet.

Just need TIME. Don't we all.

[ptedrum]

I use to be a designer using solidworks, now I'm a cmm operator . The companies I deal with all use solidworks. I don't used the Direct Cad interface at all I just have everyone send me a parasolid file (.x_t) I then translate it into solidworks & remove anything I don't need. I then export into a iges file. I'm up to 150 jobs that way I have not ran into a problem so far. I'm also using PC DMIS 4.1

A seat of solidworks would be a good idea for you just because I think it's easier to idenify things and also to remove items that would otherwise bog down your system.

[AuRules]

I have my catia guru clean up the model, then he downloads it as a IGES file and I import it as a iges file, having no problem at all (knock on wood)I do have the DCI on the offline seat. Start a program by bringing in the Catia model direct and then when I go to move the .prg and .cad to my online seat and I get a good error message DO NOT HAVE A LISCENSE FOR CATIA. so then I have to convert it to a iges file. So from now on I will have my Catia guru download all files as a IGES only. Find it to work good....

[Sanjay Gandhi]

Thanks everybody !
Your answer will be really helpful. I could trnasfer the IGES file and it works atleast for one job.

Still the basic question is what are the advantages of using CAD for preparing program over preparing program on line with a part in Hand ( i.e. Mounted on CMM physically)

Awaiting your response,
Thanks

Sanjay

[Peter Warcholyk]

Sanjay,

Are you referring to using a cad file, versus using a print of the part?
I'm not quite sure what you are asking.

I only have the ability to work online, as opposed to offline. As such, I am glad that I am able to use cad files.
With the cad files, I am able to go and click onto whatever features are required for me to measure.
If I did not have cad, I would have to have a part print with all of the coordinates, as well as the vectors for each of the required features to be measured.

I hope that this helps you somewhat.

Best Regards,
ZydecoPete

[JamesMannes]

Thanks everybody !
Your answer will be really helpful. I could trnasfer the IGES file and it works atleast for one job.

Still the basic question is what are the advantages of using CAD for preparing program over preparing program on line with a part in Hand ( i.e. Mounted on CMM physically)

Awaiting your response,
Thanks

Sanjay

It is a matter of clicks vs physically touching the part. For an example, if you were to want to use the auto-vector feature without CAD you would need a total of 4 physical touches of the part to produce 1 good auto-vector point. This is because when using auto-vector points the first 3 points are used to teach the CMM the correct approach vector and the last point is where on the part you want to touch. Utilizing CAD, it is a 1 click operation, click the on the area of the CAD model you want the point point and all the necessary information is filled in. The same holds true for all other auto-feature types. I only use auto-features, very rarely do I use a "learned/guess mode" point or other type of geometric feature.

So, you can imagine the time savings when looking at the 2 approaches.

[Andrew Gardner]

I use Solidworks to translate 98% of the UG and ProE files (.igs or .stp) that are given to me. PC-DMIS seems to like the SW created .igs files.

[Sanjay Gandhi]

Thanks all