Radan

[Michael_leslie]

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I recently started a new position where I will be introducing a new 3D CAD system. I am looking at Pro Engineer, Solidworks and Inventor. My main driving factor is ease of use while maintaining the functionality of a top down sheet metal design package. My problem lies in that the company is insisting on keep its current software on the shop floor for programming its Trumpf Punch this leaves me with major data transfer problems. Does anyone have experience of transferring data from Pro Engineer, Solidworks or Inventor to Radan? In particular putting tooling symbols on parts created in the 3D package so they can be used by Radan?

Many thanks

Michael

 

[prohammy]

Michael,


I don't know how much help this post will be but I have used RADAn and ProE together before, however that was about 8/9 years ago, and at that time we simply exported dxf files to the RADAN system. I know that RADAN has had many advances since then (numerous 3D enhancements) and I think your best option to determine suitability would be to contact your local RADAN rep and go thruogh your concerns with him first and then attack PTC/SW/AutoDesk


Kev

 

[AHA-D]

As far as my experience (hands-on with ProE and Solid Edge, forum information on IV and SW) goes then Solid Edge is far more advanced and easy to use for sheetmetal than any of the CAD you mention. I would advise you strongly to get someone from UGS over to show you the facts. Or as an example : have you ever seen sheetmetal parts adapt their flange angle and extension automatically to the part they connect to in an assembly or to other features in their own part environment ?


As far as Radan goes. I work with manufacturers of sheetmetal and all they really want from me is the 3D-model. Most transfers are STEP. They import the model in their software, identify the bends and then perform their own unbending and relief to make sure that they get the best result. I have only worked with one company that accepted my Solid Edge flat patterns, madebased on their parameters (and withexcellent results).


Send me a private message and I'll get you in touch with a guy that uses SE to drive his own sheetmetal shop. He can tell you more about the communication to the machines.


Alex
Edited by: AHA-D