Tutorial on using Catalog Features, PDM, and BOMs with 8020 Extrusion?

[k4kfh]

I've watched Ex Machina Engineering's great video on using Catalog Features for aluminum extrusion. That helped a ton, but I would love to see an updated version that shows how to utilize PDM for catalog features, and how to set these parts up to generate a cutlist. I would love to have columns in my BOM for the length of the extrusion pieces, because then I can quickly go to someone like AutomationDirect and have extrusions cut to length.

Thoughts? Is this something that would radically change with the new Weldments feature? I wasn't sure if that feature would be relevant to 8020 design, since it requires so much "supporting hardware" (brackets, T nuts, bolts, hinges, etc). It's not a true "weldment".

 

[HaroldL]

I don't know how the Weldments feature will work with PDM, etc., but I can send you the the drawing template w/BoM and part that I use for my wood projects.
The part model has parameters and equations in the Equation Editor (EE) that can be used in the BoM to display the Length, Width, and Thickness of a part. Also is a parameter for the parts Mass/Wt that can be added to the BoM table or a field on the drawing.

For each part I create I use the same part template and SAVE AS to the individual parts name. That makes sure all the equations are included in the EE to calculate the Board Feet and allow display of the part size on the BoM table.



The Board Feet, Mass, Finish are custom properties created in the File Properties and have to be manually entered. The MassForDrawing comes from the Physical Properties. The BoardFeet comes from the EE. The finish is users choice.



These could be modified to be used for your 8020 assembly.

 

[DavidJ]

You can now store catalog features in PDM (wasn't possible in first release). PDM is just a place to store the files.

As long as you are consistent with parameter naming, it's fairly simple to get (say) part length to appear in BoM, just add a column of parameter type and specify the name that you use for length in all your parts.

Weldments cut list might automate that a bit more, haven't looked at the details.

 

[stepalibre]

I’m planning to release a reference project that will attempt to cover every Alibre Design Expert feature, the data and APIs included. I need this for my development and testing work, maybe useful to others. It would be greatly appreciated if Alibre could cover this in the official documentation. What are the workflows, the how to’s with PDM and existing features. I still have not seen an end to end example project from Alibre yet.

You have samples expanded/updated versions would be useful to point users to.

Sample Models for CAD Software | Alibre 3D CAD

Alibre provides sample models for different products that our customers can download and use in Alibre Design or Alibre Atom3D. Download sample model files!

www.alibre.com

I think PDM would sell itself if there were official example projects.

 

[stepalibre]

Thoughts? Is this something that would radically change with the new Weldments feature? I wasn't sure if that feature would be relevant to 8020 design, since it requires so much "supporting hardware" (brackets, T nuts, bolts, hinges, etc). It's not a true "weldment".

Weldment features shouldn’t affect any existing features/tools, it is new functionality. Unless Alibre remove features/tools weldment functionality should enable more capabilities. Also the Weldment functionality appears to be a separate environment like sheet metal so the part environment is unaffected is my guess.

 

[stepalibre]

Another thought is weldment and frame design are not the same. For my unistrut projects I don’t think the weldment environment will gain much value over a part with custom addon.