PCDMIS & Solid Works DCI

[ron281]

We are considering the purchase of PCDMIS and I am looking for input from users that are currently creating programs using the DCI with Solid Works models. Thanks in advance.

[rebeldude]

I"m not sure what solidworks dci is, but I do use cad from solidworks brought in as an iges format with no problems. Hope that is of some help

[\v/inston]

as long as you can output your models to iges or step then pc-dmis works great.

[Andrew Gardner]

I usually have to convert .stp files that were created in UG to .igs files in SolidWorks in order to import into PC-DMIS. It seems to work a lot better. It may just be the older version I'm using (3.2063), but PC-DMIS tends to blow surfaces out with the .stp files - with the SolidWorks created .igs files, no problem at all.

[Rick Coleman]

UG

Step files should work OK. Sometimes the export settings in UG may not be configered correctly. I've had models blown apart, both step & iges files, from our design group. I just import as a new *.prt, then export a new iges or step. Usually fixes it right up.

[ron281]

PCDMIS Direct CAD Interface

The salesman keeps talking about the Direct CAD Interface that is available for PCDMIS if you have a SolidWorks license. According the the sales guy it actually creates the program within SolidWorks using the actual model thus eliminating any chance of loss of data within the model that sometimes occurs when you import the file as STEP or IGES formats.
Has anyone used it in this manner?

[Rick Coleman]

DCI

Direct CAD Interface (DCI) is an extra license that is available. It will bring in your model from UniGraphics, CATIA, Solidworks and so on without having to do ANY file translations. No more "missing" surfaces and that kind of stuff that almost always seems to happen when using a translator.
To my knowledge, it WILL NOT write a program using your model. There is some kind of new package, I don't remember what it is called, that will "write" a program from the designers intents and the model.

[Mr.Micron]

IP Planner is the software you refer to that allows the user to develop a measurement plan within the native CAD software. Solidworks is known to be working with this tool.

[bill kurz]

DCI

We have DCI for Solid works and PRO E. I like the fact that we are using the native cad file format more accurate representation of the part. Although I have not had any big problems with igs or step files. I have a seat of Solid Works and ProE so I can manipulate cad files if need be. This is not a cheap option however.

[ron281]

DCI

So this module is actually programming within Solid Works on the actual model and then sending programming data out into the PCDMIS format? Is that correct? I too have encountered problems in the past with IGES files not translating properly or losing data. I currently have a seat of Solid Works and would like to utilize the actual model.
The other concern I have is the accuracy in which the model is created by the designers. Have you had any encounters with this and how easy was it to remedy the problem.

Thanks again
Ron

[Scott Appleyard]

The DCI allows you to network to CAD station with an OPEN LISCENCE and use the CAD model within PC-DMIS. All actual programming is done within PC-DMIS, but the CAD model will be used directly from the CAD station. If someone is already using the CAD station and you don't have another open liscence, PC-DMIS will not be able to access the CAD station until a liscence becomes available.

[Rick Coleman]

There's where the problems started with DCI for me. It seems that we only have X number of seats for UG &/or CATIA. I was always in line for the last tit, so to say. And then, I work in a die shop, when the job is closed out and the files archived, there goes the access to the CAD data. DMIS has no idea where to look for it if the design department moves the CAD end; unless you keep it active in a secret place or local drive.