SolidWorks-Cut Part
It is posible for Inplot to interface with SolidWorks Solid modeling software to cut a solid model of the part with the toolpath.
Solid Model of the starting stock
1. Create a model of the starting rough stock in the position it will be machined in. (if its not it the right position, you could alteratively use offset comment codes in the Inplot editor to shift the tool path)
2. You need to make a plane called "PlaneZero" (case sensitive) above all the cutting on the part. I Z0 in the program is above the part and all the cutting is done in the Z- direction, the "PlaneZero" can be put at the normal Z0 level.
If Z0 in the program is below the part and at least some of the cutting is in the Z+ direction, then you will have to put the "PlaneZero" at some higher level above the cutting and add a z offset comment code in the program to compensate.
Example: If you move the "PlaneZero" up 2.0" from where it is in the program, then add
(TOF Z2.0)
to the begining of the program. This will subtract 2.0" from all the Z values before they are plotted.
3. Turn off "Display Grid" in Solidworks Configuration so it wont flash on the screen on every cut.
Ploting the program in Inplot will send instructions to SolidWorks to make cuts in the part.
Every successful cut will make a Cut-Extrude feature and add it to the Feature Tree.
Model after being cut with toolpath from Inplot.
In SolidWorks, if the coordinates of the cut do not hit uncut material, it will get an error and leave a sketch without making the cut. Inplot tries to minimize cuts that won't hit the part, but you can delete any left over sketches on the Feature Tree.
