Sheet metal flat pattern with extra curves

[ASky]

In NX 7.5 I would like to be able to add lines to a sheetmetal flat pattern. The parts will be laser-cut and the lines will represent a cut that is a beam width. When using "extract flat pattern in sheet metal, I can not figure out how to add lines to the group after the fact so that I can send them as part of a DXF to our laser programers.

The help file shows picking extra curves and having them show up in the flat pattern, but i am unable to make this work. I have selected curves both drawn on and projected to the faces of the part.

If I create intersection curves and then add my extra curves later the process works, but then the drafting is not as convienient as the flat pattern becomes a veiw easily and does not have to be set-up to not display the 3d folded part in the drawing view of the flat part.

The edge rip command creates a tiny obround which gets read as "internal" curves by the laser software and the programmers have to manually place and sequence the lead in cuts. A single line or open contour is read as "external curves" and is automatical handeled by the software.

I have no option to change the laser programming software, so I am hoping that there is some trick in NX to be able to add curves to a flat pattern.

Thank you in advance hopefully

Andy

 

[jerry1423]

So if you have the curves created and just want to added them to the flat pattern:
Format > Group > Add to group
When you are asked: "select group to add to" then simply pick one of the curves of the flat pattern,
Then after selecting the curves that you want added, click OK.

I hope that is what you are looking for.

 

[ASky]

Thanks Jerry,
I tried that. There were a few issues. In the file with the flat pattern "add to group" is not available under the Format > Group > menu only New Group and delete group.

also when the flat pattern is displayed, I can not figure out how to make other curves i draw displayed while the flat pattern is. I can draw them on the same layer, but the only display in the other views "trimetric" etc. conversly, i can't figure out how to display the flat pattern group in another view.

If i right click the group and edit, it seems that i could add curves, but i am unable to get the curves and group to display at the same time.

Andy

 

[jerry1423]

I have only some guesses with what is going on:

In your Roles you may want to make sure "Advanced with full menus" is the one you are using.

I wonder if there is a "visible in view" issue with the views that you can't see the curves in. It really doesn't sound like it, but it's worth checking out.
This thread had a similar problem:

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=274489

 

[ASky]

Thanks Jerry,

I will look into this and see what comes of it. if I can't make it work I'll contact UGS directly.

Andy