Nested dxf file

[indy4x]

Hi

Hoping someone can help. I have a bunch of parts in a nested dxf file, I need to unnest the parts into individual files so I can send off for laser/plasma cutting, is anyone able to unnest them for me

Thanks

 

[julianf]

I'm assuming you have no software that can work with dxf, rather than the question being "how to do it"?

Assuming it's not a million parts, I could do it for you. See if you can't pm me the file?

 

[indy4x]

@julianf I've got the free version of Fusion 360 but thats it. Looking online at free CAD programs that will allow me to manipulate the file.

Its a total of 25 parts that will hopefully enable me to make a bumper for the rear of my Jeep.

Have just downloaded FreeCAD, will install it and see how it goes, if I fail to get my head round it I'll drop you a pm

If I can get my head around FreeCAD, I'd like to join some of the parts as the cutting service can also bend to your drawings too. This will save on welding as the current drawing is all flat panels, some of which could be bent to shape rather than welding them

This is what the finished product should look like

 

[Agroshield]

Have just downloaded FreeCAD

For the specific thing you want, separating a dxf file, FreeCAD will be horrible. And I say that as a user and fan.

Could I suggest LibreCAD or QCAD as they work well with dxf.

Save the original file somewhere very safe. Open a copy. Select the outline you want. Edit, cut. Then paste into a new document/file. Save. Repeat 24 times.

Change the extension of the dxf to .txt and upload it here.

Joining individual parts will not give you a flat development of the finished part. With a bent item, there is a bend allowance and that will not be taken into account with your upside down method. You can try it in FreeCAD's sheet metal workbench - make a simple 90 degree 100mm equal angle out of 2mm sheet and unfold it. It will not be 200mm long when unfolded.

 

[Ruffian]

Is it in a body or flat pattern dxf?

If its flat pattern would use project and put into a different sketch, that way can put all items onto a different sketch and use.

 

[indy4x]

Quick update on this

I have downloaded LibreCAD, quick Google on the copy and paste process and I have individual files ready to send off for a laser cutting quote

Really appreciate the comments from everyone on this.

Converting the individual components into ones that are joined and bent to shape, it's something I'd like to do but time is not on my side to learn how to do that. It's no biggie, just looking to make my life easier if some of the bits were prefolded rather then welded

 

[indy4x]

@julianf was actually less than 25 parts, as the pieces on the corners are a mirror image it was only 15 parts in total

 

[indy4x]

@Agroshield would you recommend FreeCAD for sheet metal, it's something I'd like to learn and be able to generate dxf files for cutting and folding

 

[Brad93]

Fusion 360 can pull out a dxf but it won't pull
apart an assembly like that if it's in a dxf format you would probably need autocad