AutoStruct
When a design process is complete, you need to produce drawings and material lists so that the model can be manufactured. This documentation, when it comes down to it, is our merchandise. AutoStruct will help you produce the documentation and allow you to focus on the design itself.
AutoStruct has three main features. First, it automates the drawing process by creating shop-drawings and fabrication-drawings, according to your own specifications. Second, it will create detailed cut-lists to suit your needs. One more feature that AutoStruct has is the ability to export DXF's automatically, for the use of different cutting machines and more. For more details, please read on, or contact us to get a free trial version, examples and more. You can also find additional information in our SolidWorks Partner site here.
Drawing automation - Shop Drawings
AutoStruct will generate a drawing sheet for every body in your cut-list items (every Sheet Metal, Structural Member, Extrude etc. will get it's own sheet). Every shop-drawing sheet will contain "relative to model" views (including flat pattern and isometric view), general dimensions, holes and position callouts, and a general table (general information about the body - part number, total quantity, ect.).
The shop-drawing sheets will be grouped into drawing files by profile name, material or by part name.
Drawing automation - Fabrication Drawings
AutoStruct creates a drawing list for each assembly (*.SLDASM) and each part (*SLDPRT.). Each fabrication-drawing sheet will contain a general view, "for assemblies" (a BOM table with your own selected template), "for parts" (a cut-list table with your own selected template. This table will contain the part number for the specific cut-list item that AutoStruct automatically generated), isometric view and the total number of duplicates of the current assembly or part to be produced.
The next feature of AutoStruct is the ability to export a highly detailed cut-list. AutoStruct will traverse all sub-assemblies and parts in the main assembly, recognize identical bodies, and label them inside the cut-list item properties. Every body will be allocated a part-number identical to bodies from other parts if the bodies' geometry is identical.
AutoStruct will export an Excel file that contains four sheets:
All Parts - raw data from the cut-list items, not grouped by part number.
Cut List - a list of all the profiles (Structural Member) for manufacturing grouped by part number. You can also see profile description, total quantity of each item, cut angles, length per item and more.
Lengths - total lengths and weights of every profile (Structural Member) grouped by the profile description.
Plates - a list of all plates (Sheet Metals, Extrude, Gussets etc.) grouped by part number with total quantity, weights, material and more.
DXF Export
Last, but not least, AutoStruct will traverse over your sub-assemblies and parts, and will look for bodies that need a DXF. That includes: Sheet Metal, Extrude and Gussets.
All DXF files are exported as 1:1 scale and exported without any notes on the file. Sheet Metal bodies are flattened in the DXF file.
The filename of each DXF file is the Part-Number from the specific body cut-list item, so you can link it to the Excel lists and the Shop Drawings.
