Example of manipulating document properties with Integration.


On assemblies containing a large number of similar parts (e.g. a welded structure), it is convenient to have each part marked or laser cut with the part number. This facilitates assembly after manufacture.


 


In this example, the parts being named as below, we wish to extract a part (Part number) in order to inform the number for the laser cutting:


 

Select the part files to be processed and create 2 actions

Action 1:

Create 2 conditions (OR) on the property name - File name.

  • The first condition will ask if this property exists.
  • The second condition if it does not exist.
  • Create the operation that will add or modify a Windows property - File name.

Action 2:

Create 1 condition to test if the property exists - File name

  • The condition will query if this property exists.
  • Create the operation that will retrieve the value of this property and then create the property by retrieving the 4 characters from the sixth position - Laser. In our example the value retrieved will be the part number.


 


The last step is to create the cutout (material removal extrusion) with a sketch note retrieving the value of this property ($PRP: "Laser") -  Laser.


 


This procedure is very useful when you retrieve files that already include this laser cut but the part number changes.

If you rename the file (.sldprt) with a new part number, it will be enough to launch the tool (Integration) to update this property and thus the laser cutting.

You can find the example files and the actions file : HERE

Some tips:

To ensure that the laser cuts are up to date with the correct part number, it is important to launch the integration tool when your project is finished. Then open the assembly concerned, force the information to be updated (Ctrl+Q) then save your assembly (do not hesitate to do Ctrl+Q (Rebuild) twice to be sure that the Laser property is updated).

We advise you to do an internet search on the term POLICE STENCIL, the font to use for laser cutting, you should easily find a font that fits your needs.