IGES file manipulation

[Bigadz]

Hi all,


I am relatively inexperianced when it comes to importing different file types. I have an .igs file which I would like to be able to create a flatform of, is there any way I can do this?


All I have in the part tree is 'import feature id'. I am working with Pro E WF2.


Thanks very much

 

[design-engine]

a flat form with respect to sheetmetal? If this is the case I presume the author of the iges file created the file using a sheetmetal program. In my case most of the time it is not the case and the author created the file using solids and there is not a nominal wall thickness required for sheetmetal software to flaten itself for a burn pattern.


So you first task is not only to just solidify the geometry using zip gaps and all those techniqes.


You will want to make sure the geometry maintains a nominal wall thickness.

 

[trillicomm]

couldn't help you more until you clarify with screenshots or something.

 

[looslib]

AN import from IGES will only show 'import feature id' in the model tree as there are no parametric features to display. If the part has uniform wall thickness, then you should be able to switch to the Sheetmetal Application module and use Edit-Setup-Flat State-Create and create your flat pattern. Follow the prompts.

 

[Bigadz]

a flat form with respect to sheetmetal? If this is the case I presume the author of the iges file created the file using a sheetmetal program. In my case most of the time it is not the case and the author created the file using solids and there is not a nominal wall thickness required for sheetmetal software to flaten itself for a burn pattern.


So you first task is not only to just solidify the geometry using zip gaps and all those techniqes.


You will want to make sure the geometry maintains a nominal wall thickness.

Thanks for you replies. SorryI perhapsshould have elaborated:


It is a part which has been created from solids rather than a sheetmetal programme in which case I dont think I am able to simply change the application and create a flat state. I did open it into sheetmetal and the flatstate option wasnt available so I guess the wall thickness doesnt allow this.


In which case what would be my first step in transforming this? I can post up images if needed tommorow when back in work? Thanks

 

[Moroso]

Does the imported geometry show up as all purple, purple with yellow edges, or solidfied when the part is unshaded


If the part shows all purple it should be able to be solidified, if it has yellow edges you will have to do some knitting.

 

[design-engine]

I taught an import workshop w/ respect to sheetmetal parts that were created in this way. (not using sheetmetal mode). The student did not want to learn surfacing, he just wanted to learn how to flatten it out. That was a difficult class because the guy had such a bad attitude. <?:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" />


Anyway... you will need to know a good bit of surfacing in order to accomplish your goal. With out sitting side by side to you here is a list of your workflow.


1 import the part
2 zip gaps (see if it solidifies and if not resolve that problem using zip gaps etc)
3 try to convert to sheetmetal. (ifyour work piecedoes not convert then your problem is simple. you do not have a part capable of making a thin feature. To figure outwhere the problem is cut the part in half using surfaces and merges to seeif one half or the other half works) That is how younarrow down the problem.
4 squash all the bugs until the part converts to sheetmetal.
5 once in sheetmetal mode try to flaten the part.
6 if the part does not flatten then your problem is with notches, punches that came from the import.
7 squash those bugs until it flattens.


I love these problems.... I fix things in Pro/E like I am working on a car. Narrow down the problem and fix it.



Edited by: design-engine

 

[trillicomm]

first copy the round surface as a quilt
go to INSERT/ADVANCED/FLATTEN QUILT
pick a fixed point and the quilt

not sure it works but please give it a try

 

[Bigadz]

Thanks for the advice, I guess it gets to a point where you wonder if it's more efficient to recreate the part. I will work through it as suggested though, as it's certainly a good thing to be able to solve.

 

[arroyopr]

Thanks for the advice, I guess it gets to a point where you wonder if it's more efficient to recreate the part.

Bingo! If all this import deal is going to take you 2,3 days to learn it. But it will take you 2,3 hours to recreate it, well you do the math. But if time isn't a matter, go right ahead and learn something new. Beside this type of problems in the work place just comeocasionaly.
Edited by: arroyopr

 

[design-engine]

re-creating the part introduces other problems. Most Sheetmetal manufacturers will opt to fix the iges as opposed to recreating the part the way it was supposed to be created for fear of modeling it wrong. Reverse engineer or remodel can introduce human error. Working with the iges file leaves the responsibility on the design engineer (costomer) for problems.