SolidWorks 2011 Parts Bible - Matt Lombard [296]
Placing the cut list on the drawing
Once you have created the multi-body sheet metal part, filled out the cut list properties, and created at least one drawing view of the part (flat or formed), you are ready to put a cut list on the drawing. I will assume you are placing a default cut list, and then need to create a customized one later. The next section will also go over how to create a cut list template once you have made one to suit your needs.
With the multi-body sheet metal drawing active, select Insert⇒Tables⇒Weldment Cut List. The Weldment Cut List PropertyManager is shown in Figure 22.11.
FIGURE 22.11
Configuring a Weldment Cut List for a multi-body sheet metal part
The first option in the Weldment Cut List PropertyManager is to select the template. By default, there is only the single sample table, which you will probably need to customize somewhat to suit your needs. You will do that shortly.
Once you have set the options to your satisfaction, place the cut list on the drawing by clicking where you want to place the table. Notice that as you drag the table around, it snaps to the drawing format border. You can place it at one of these snap locations or just place it in a blank area on the drawing.
The default cut list for a multi-body sheet metal part where the cut list properties have been filled out for each cut list item appears in Figure 22.12.
FIGURE 22.12
Placing the default cut list on the drawing
When you select a column header (labeled with a letter), a Column PropertyManager appears, along with a text formatting bar (which appears to have a display bug affecting its top bar). This is all shown in Figure 22.13.
FIGURE 22.13
Customizing the cut list column
From here, you can change the information in the selected column. The first three column properties are built-in properties: Item Number, Quantity, and Description (cut list item name). The User Defined option lets you manually enter whatever text you want. The Cut List Item Property option allows you to select from a list of automated values, shown in Figure 22.13.
You can add additional columns by right-clicking a column and selecting Insert⇒Column Right or Column Left. The additional columns can be formatted like the others.
Saving a cut list template
Once you have customized the cut list the way you like it — with the automated or manual entry fields set up to save you time the next time you need to use a similar table — you can save the table as a template. Right-click the table and choose the Save As option. The file type that is assigned is *.sldwldtbt. This long file extension presumably stands for “weld table template.” While a weld table and a cut list are not necessarily the same thing, they do use the same templates. You will learn more about weldments in the SolidWorks 2011 Assemblies Bible (Wiley, 2011).
Save the template file in the location established for your weldment table templates. You can find this location at Tools⇒Options⇒File Locations⇒Weldment Cut List Templates, which by default points to C:\Program Files\SolidWorks Corp\SolidWorks\lang\english, but you can (and should) keep all of your custom templates in a path that will not be overwritten by reinstalling or uninstalling the software, and that multiple users can share if necessary.
The next time you need to use this template, you can select it using the Table Template drop-down list in the Weldment Cut List PropertyManager.
Summary
SolidWorks has a lot of special drawing functionality built around sheet metal parts. You may want to create a special template or format for sheet metal drawings, or even use multi-page drawings for including both flat and formed views of the part.
Multi-body modeling in sheet metal opens up another whole range of possibilities in documenting inseparable subassemblies and small weldments using sheet