Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Exporting Attributed blocks in Autocad LT...who knew...

So, here is one for you LT users.
How many of you want to be able to export your attributed block info into an excel doc inside your LT but aren't quite sure of how to do it.  Well, here is a quick fix for you; the command is called ATTEXT.
You need an exporting template so that it knows what information to look for, but other than that it is pretty straight forward if you have all your blocks with a standard tag name for a block description.  I will show a pic of what i mean by that here in a bit.

First, let's see what this template looks like that is needed to make the attext command work.
So, I use Notepad++ to do my text documents and some other programming work.  Right now I am just going to look at line one; on this line you will see "NAME C032000".  
This first line is what determines whether you will be able to extract block info or not.  In the first picture below I am showing inside the block editor of Autocad LT; where i am defining a new Attribute.  The Tag line in the Attribute is what you are going to be pulling from in the ATTEXT command.

So, below you will see as we insert a block that the attribute that is defined is labeled as "NAME", and if you remember that in our ATTEXT template the first line was labeled NAME.  Now you can set up multiple different attributes that can be pulled out, but we are just going to stick with this for now.

So, we have our block inserted and the title of it is defined in the attribute.  So, let's say we put 3 or 4 blocks in their whether they are the same or different ones.  We can go ahead and do our Attribute Text export.  So, type in ATTEXT and hit enter, then follow the steps in the image below to finish out the command.


So, this finishes our exporting of the Attribute Text; next time we will look at how to convert that text info into an actual spreadsheet.

Monday, September 29, 2014

Inventor HSM quick videos to get you going...Part 1

So, this next series is going to be for you guys that are able to machine parts and maybe have to use non-integrated software to program your parts to post g-codes.  Inventor HSM provides the solution for an integrated workflow between your design and manufacturing.  With HSM you can toggle between your model features and cam features all in the same file.
Below is a video of the first part of this series (all the videos are going to be posted to screencast, so i highly recommend checking that site out as well because there are some great videos).

In this video we are showing the setup and generation of toolpaths to machine the top portion of the side pieces for my trebuchet (i know...geeky moment for me, but i thought it was a good idea to do this video series on).



Friday, September 19, 2014

creating joints in Fusion 360

Do you sometimes have issues setting up assembly joints in Fusion?  Below is a link to a short screencast video that I made that shows 2 quick ways to setup joints when trying to assembly a part in a fixture set to be installed in a CNC machine.

http://bit.ly/1tx8hLj

There are many awesome options in the assembly joint options.  So, again this is a short video of assembling a couple parts with 2 joints.  If you like what you see you ought to visit fusion360.autodesk.com and download the trial and take it for a test run.

Monday, August 11, 2014

The Power of Ilogic...Part 3...

In parts 1 & 2 we looked at how to pull information into inventor from an excel doc and also how to pull information from inventor into excel.  On this last part we are going to look at how to create an excel doc using ilogic and then pull information from inventor into that newly created excel doc.  So, let's go ahead and dive in.
Below is the code that we are going to look at:

myXLS_file = "C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Inventor 2015\Templates\" & iProperties.Value("Custom", "Customer") & "-" & iProperties.Value("Project", "Project") & ".xls"
excelApp = CreateObject("Excel.Application")
excelApp.Visible = False
excelApp.DisplayAlerts = False

If dir(myXLS_file)<>"" Then
excelWorkbook = excelApp.Workbooks.Open(myXLS_file)
excelSheet = excelWorkbook.Worksheets(1).activate
Else
excelWorkbook = excelApp.Workbooks.Add
End If

With excelApp
'iproperties call out
.range("A12").Select
.ActiveCell.Value = "Project:"
.range("A13").Select
.ActiveCell.Value = "Customer:"
.range("A14").Select
.ActiveCell.Value = "Address Line 1:"
.range("A15").Select
.ActiveCell.Value = "Address Line 2:"
.range("A16").Select
.ActiveCell.Value = "Company:"
.range("A17").Select
.ActiveCell.Value = "Manager:"
.range("A18").Select
.ActiveCell.Value = "Engineer:"
.range("A19").Select
.ActiveCell.Value = "Rev Number:"
'iproperties info being exported
.Range("B19").Select
.ActiveCell.Value = iProperties.Value("Project", "Revision Number")
.Range("B17").Select
.ActiveCell.Value = iProperties.Value("Summary", "Manager")
.Range("B16").Select
.ActiveCell.Value = iProperties.Value("Summary", "Company")
.Range("B12").Select
.ActiveCell.Value = iProperties.Value("Project", "Project")
.Range("B18").Select
.ActiveCell.Value = iProperties.Value("Project", "Engineer")
.Range("B13").Select
.ActiveCell.Value = iProperties.Value("Custom", "Customer")
.Range("B14").Select
.ActiveCell.Value = iProperties.Value("Custom", "Address1")
.Range("B15").Select
.ActiveCell.Value = iProperties.Value("Custom", "Address2")
End With
excelApp.columns.AutoFit
excelWorkbook.SaveAs(myXLS_file)
excelWorkbook.Close
excelApp.Quit
excelApp = Nothing



At the beginning of this code we are defining the path in which the file is going to be saved and also defining the name of the excel file being created.  In the naming of the excel document we are pulling Inventor iproperties out to give it the name.

One other thing that you will notice is the difference in which we are pulling out the information.  In this form we are calling to activate a certain cell and then populate it with the text or property that we assign to it.  Where as in the other parts we are calling to an excel app where as before we called out "GoExcel".  With calling the excel app we are basically starting a new file from scratch which is why we can't do the "GoExcel".  Once you have placed the code to fill in the cells how you want it then we do our coding to autofit the columns to the text, and then we do a save as which refers to the initial variable that we defined in the code.  Then we call an excel close to close the file and quit to end the excelapp to make sure that Inventor fully closes out of the excel function.





Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Any topics you would like to see?

After Part 3 of The Power of Ilogic I would like to go to a topic that is suggested by you out there.  If there is some task or what have you that would be easier if it were automated or just wondering how to do something.  Please post your question or situation in the comments and I would love to hear from you and help out.

Monday, August 4, 2014

Power of ilogic Part 2...

So, in Part 1 we looked at pulling information from Excel and putting it into Inventor.  And, as a reminder this is what the code looked like for that process.
GoExcel.Open("C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Inventor 2015\Templates\Projects template.xlsx", "Sheet1")
iProperties.Value("Project", "Revision Number") = GoExcel.CellValue("B8")
iProperties.Value("Summary", "Manager") = GoExcel.CellValue("B6")
iProperties.Value("Summary", "Company") = GoExcel.CellValue("B5")
iProperties.Value("Project", "Project") = GoExcel.CellValue("B1")
iProperties.Value("Project", "Engineer") = GoExcel.CellValue("B7")
iProperties.Value("Custom", "Customer") = GoExcel.CellValue("B2")
iProperties.Value("Custom", "Address1") = GoExcel.CellValue("B3")
iProperties.Value("Custom", "Address2") = GoExcel.CellValue("B4")

This time we are going to look at how to take information from Inventor and put it into Excel.  We are going to use the same excel file as last time and just ad some more stuff to it.  We will use P1's code as our reference.
GoExcel.Open("C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Inventor 2015\Templates\Projects template.xlsx", "Sheet1")
GoExcel.CellValue("B19") = iProperties.Value("Project", "Revision Number")
GoExcel.CellValue("B17") = iProperties.Value("Summary", "Manager")
GoExcel.CellValue("B16") = iProperties.Value("Summary", "Company")
GoExcel.CellValue("B12") = iProperties.Value("Project", "Project")
GoExcel.CellValue("B18") = iProperties.Value("Project", "Engineer")
GoExcel.CellValue("B13") = iProperties.Value("Custom", "Customer")
GoExcel.CellValue("B14") = iProperties.Value("Custom", "Address1")
GoExcel.CellValue("B15") = iProperties.Value("Custom", "Address2")

Notice that in this code we basically just flipp flopped what was on each side of the equal sign.
These are simple codes for pulling info out of an Inventor file.  In Part 3 we will look at writing a rule that will create an excel doc for us and then pull information out of your inventor part and input it into the newly created excel doc.

Monday, July 21, 2014

The Power of ilogic Part I...

There are many people that have Inventor, but do not use Inventor to its fullest.  One item that is little known to Inventor users is ilogic.  Ilogic used to be a third party program that would integrate into Inventor and would create an programming user interface within Inventor to automate parts assemblies and the like.  Over the years it has truly developed into a powerhouse API built into Inventor.  This is the start of a 3 part series that will help us look at how to use the advantages of ilogic when dealing with the iproperties within Inventor

GoExcel.Open("C:\Users\Public\Documents\Autodesk\Inventor 2015\Templates\Projects template.xlsx", "Sheet1")
iProperties.Value("Project", "Revision Number") = GoExcel.CellValue("B8")
iProperties.Value("Summary", "Manager") = GoExcel.CellValue("B6")
iProperties.Value("Summary", "Company") = GoExcel.CellValue("B5")
iProperties.Value("Project", "Project") = GoExcel.CellValue("B1")
iProperties.Value("Project", "Engineer") = GoExcel.CellValue("B7")
iProperties.Value("Custom", "Customer") = GoExcel.CellValue("B2")
iProperties.Value("Custom", "Address1") = GoExcel.CellValue("B3")
iProperties.Value("Custom", "Address2") = GoExcel.CellValue("B4")






Friday, June 13, 2014

Advantages of Factory Design Suite

Many manufacturing companies keep track of their facility layout by keeping a 2d layout drawing update with changes when a production line is either deconstructed, moved, or a new line is put in.  But, what if you were able to take that 2D layout and change it to a fully functional 3D layout that you could simulate production line destruction, and line constructions.  If you are building a whole new facility you can attach architectural files and the models for the piping layout of the building and the mechanical duct systems that will be in the building and see if there are any collisions that may happen in the current design.  You can even check for collision with the equipment and any structural steel that may be in the area of the equipment that you are wanting to install.  Factory design suite is a great tool for any industrial or manufacturing engineer who wants to have more control in the facility layout process and the process flow of the production lines.

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Inventor HSM...integrated CAM software

If you use Inventor and also use CAM software; then I would like to invite you to come and watch our webinar on Inventor HSM.  We will be demonstrating the integrated CAM solution, and showing off the capabilities that receive with the free 2.5 axis.  We will also be showing the 3 axis side of the software as well.  We look forward to having you as our guest for the webinar.  Here is a link for you to find more information:  Tekni Webinar
Here is a little teaser video about the software.


Tuesday, February 18, 2014

123D Circuits is joining the 123D apps!

This one is for you electronics people out there.  An awesome new app is joining the 123D gang and Autodesk.  The new 123D Circuits is going to be an awesome tool when laying out circuit boards and being able to actually simulate the design on your screen.  Check out the video below


You can sign up for a free account at 123d.circuits.io

Monday, February 10, 2014

Process Analysis Cloud Service...

A new amazing tool being put on the table by Autodesk is the Process Analysis 360 which is in its Beta form right now.  If you are a Manufacturing Engineer or a Quality Assurance person then this would be an awesome tool for you to utilize in your facilities to examine process flow and where bottlenecks are in the process and potentially analyze how to fix those bottlenecks.  It is an even better tool when you have a seat of Factory Design Suite as well, because with Factory Design suite and the Process Analysis 360 you can tie the assets from your model to the flow that you create in Process Analysis.  Once  get the process built you can watch the simulation go and see where there are opportunities to improve on your layout.
When you are done running the Analysis it gives you a detailed report of the flow, the efficiency of each station and can ultimately help you to choose different items that would help to improve the entire process and make it beneficial to you and your company!

For a free download visit the site below:
http://www.autodesk.com/products/process-analysis-360/overview