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ptc-45998051-Visitor
1-Visitor
May 24, 2012
Question

Generate sheet metal dxf flat pattern

  • May 24, 2012
  • 5 replies
  • 17012 views

Hi,

I would like to know what is the shortest way to generate sheet metal dxf flat pattern. Now, i'm using drawing part with empty template and set 1:1 scale. Is it possible to make dxf flat pattern clicking on 3d model? I use this method on the other soft ( SW, UX).

Thanks,

Adam

5 replies

K
KrisR1-Visitor
1-Visitor
May 24, 2012

What we do is create the flat pattern in the model, suppress it, then create a family table with the generic and the flat pattern as an instance.

Once this is complete, in your drawing, do an "Add Model" and choose the flat pattern instance, and you will be able to place the flat pattern.

If you need more details, please let me know.

B
Bablu1-Visitor
1-Visitor
August 1, 2019
Please share full details of this process
J
JohnMitchell1-Visitor
1-Visitor
May 24, 2012

Adam,

In Creo 1, to create the 3d flat pattern - go to File, Prepare, Model Properties. Under Shett Metal, change the Flat State Instances and create a family table flat pattern tied to the shett metal part.

In WF5 this was under Edit , Setup.

For Creo 2, it will be in the floating tool bar at the top of the modeling view.

Once created it can be put in any drawing at full scale then save as DXF

B
BrianMartin13-Aquamarine
13-Aquamarine
May 24, 2012

Hi Adam...

What John says will work. But Kris' technique is also valid. The Flat State function is somewhat different that Kris' technique. Both will create a flat pattern. Once the flat pattern is created, both techniques rely on you to export the drawing to DXF format.

I suspect you're sending the DXF to a waterjet, flame cutter, or other sheet metal cutting device? If so, you may want to pay attention to the bend allowances, too.

Thanks!

-Brian

P
ptc-28793751-Visitor
1-Visitor
June 5, 2014

Thought I'd see if anyone has any more comments on this. All of the existing responses seem to miss the OPs actual question. Assuming you have already generated a flat instance (and we show it on our drawing), how do you generate the final DXF file that gets sent to manufacturing? We currently do it the way that the OP does. Create a new drawing, scale 1:1 and save as DXF. Would prefer a way to do it directly from the part file, or better yet, from the assembly that the part is used in.

Ideas?

Karl

    D
    dschenken1-Visitor
    1-Visitor
    June 5, 2014

    He asked two questions.

    1) What's fastest way to get a DXF of a flattened sheetmetal part?

    2) Can it be done from the model?

    The first answer seems to be, create a flat state and then place a view of it on a drawing.

    The second isn't answered, likely because there is presently no way to do so directly from the model.

    I suppose using a CNC module could send data directly to manufacturing without a DXF at all.

    Fastest is to give manufacturing their own seat of Pro/E or Creo or whatever the next market spin is.

    D
    DavorGranic16-Pearl
    16-Pearl
    June 7, 2014

    Maybe slightly faster way than exporting from drawing is making Xsection of flatstate part, then opening it in Layout and then export to dxf.

    You skip few clicks and lose also bend lines that you dont need when passing dxf for cuting.

    Tho something like icon for exporting conture of flatstate(in flatstate preview window) to DXF would be nice improvement to Creo.

    P
    ptc-28793751-Visitor
    1-Visitor
    June 9, 2014

    We actually put bend lines on our DXFs because we laser etch them at the same time that we do the cutting. But I'll have to look in to that because I don't know anythin about the Layout functionality.

    Karl

    J
    jzhang-31-Visitor
    1-Visitor
    August 19, 2014

    Because we cut block by wire EDM, it will be nice to save cut path as .dxf from model dirctly vs. in drawing.

    P
    ptc-45787491-Visitor
    1-Visitor
    September 9, 2014

    Hi all,

    two things which are helpful:

    PDM with cad worker

    and a drawing template with three sheets (bent part, measured flat pattern and flat in 1:1 scale)

    with that creating a drawing is quite quick (nearly automatic)

    after checkin to PDM cad worker will execute creation of PDF and DXF file. The next is to create a subprogram to collect those files from system.

    Regards

    Tomasz

    S
    SolidPerks1-Visitor
    1-Visitor
    May 11, 2015

    Sorry folks,

    I realize this is an old thread, however, still a relevant topic & unanswered. I'll as concise as possible

    I have a sheet metal model. I DON'T want to make a drawing file. I want to send a DWG/DXF flat pattern to my cutter.

    Can this be exported DIRECTLY from a Creo2.0/3.0 model? None of the above comments lead to believe this is possible.

    Thanks!

      S
      spaceghost1731-Visitor
      1-Visitor
      April 14, 2021

      Still a relevant question. 

       

      Is there a way to export a flat pattern without creating a drawing 1:1 ratio and then saving as a DXF? 

       

      Funny how other software like SW and Inventor figured this out quite some time ago but PTC is over here, wondering what the problem is....

       

      I have 41 sheet metal parts that need to be exported as DXF sheets to send to fab but what I am finding, is that I have to create a drawing file and then save that drawing file as a DXF after I place the flat pattern on that drawing...41 times...hooray.

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