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| − | ==Things To Know==
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| − | *This tutorial will step you through the process of exporting a file from SolidWorks and importing it into Bend-Tech. As you walk through this tutorial, procedures are designed based on your knowledge of earlier procedures. Because of this, it is very important that you carefully step through this guide, understanding everything along the way.
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| − | A few key items need to be covered before starting the step-by-step instructions of the tutorial. It is very important you completely understand these items:
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| − | '''Centerline & Apex''':
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| − | Centerline: In the Bend-Tech environment we are working exclusively with the centerline of a part, as compared to the inside or outside.
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| − | Apex: The bend locations are defined exclusively with the apex. Our definition of apex is the intersection of the straight tubes as if there wasn’t a radius.
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| − | '''Create Parts''': It is possible to create parts in the single part and assembly interfaces of Bend-Tech SW, however, this guide focuses on using part geometry within SolidWorks™ to export into Bend-Tech SW.
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| − | '''Installation''': You must have both SolidWorks™ and Bend-Tech SW loaded on the same computer. If installed correctly, you should find a menu selection in SolidWorks™ labeled Bend-Tech. This menu will only be available in SolidWorks™ Part mode and will not be seen in the Assembly mode of SolidWorks™.
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| − | '''Bend-Tech SE vs. SW''': Bend-Tech SW contains all the functionality and features of Bend-Tech SE, as well as the ability to import parts directly from SolidWorks™. Any information available for Bend-Tech SE also applies to Bend-Tech SW.
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| − | ==Tutorial==
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| − | ===Settings===
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| − | 1. To begin, start up the "'''Bend-Tech 7x'''" program.
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| − | 2. Before starting, we must first adjust some settings. [[File:ToolsOptionsSW1.png|right]] Go up to the Tools menu in the main menu bar. Click SW Plugin Settings in the drop down menu.
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| − | 3. In the SW Plugin Settings window, make sure Automatic Import is selected option under the Import Settings section. If not, click the circle next to Automatic Import to set it as the SolidWorks™ import method. Also, put checks in the checkboxes marked "'''Always Prompt for Material, Send Part to XYZ Interface and Show Results in Window'''". After these changes are made, click the Save button and then click Close. See picture below for clarification.
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| − | * This window also provides the option to set a default template for exporting, to automatically find and import data, and to register the SW Plugin.
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| − | [[File:SolidWSettings_open2.png]]
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| − | '''Bend-Tech SE vs. SW''': Bend-Tech SW contains all the functionality and features of Bend-Tech SE, as well as the ability to import parts directly from SolidWorks™. Any information available for Bend-Tech SE also applies to Bend-Tech SW.
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| − | ===SolidWorks===
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| − | 1. To be able to go through this tutorial, you must have a completed SolidWorks part file available. If not, create a part in SolidWorks™ and come back to this tutorial before continuing on.
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| − | 2. Once a part is ready, ensure that both SolidWorks™ and Bend-Tech are both open and running.
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| − | 3. In SolidWorks™, select either the 3D Sketch or Sweep of the part from the Features list on the left side of the frame as shown below. Once selected the sweep or 3D sketch name will be highlighted in blue.
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| − | 4. Once the sketch or sweep line has been selected, go up to the top left of the SolidWorks window and place your cursor over the right pointing arrow to access the menu bar. In the menu bar, go to the Bend-Tech option and click on Process Bend Info.
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| − | [[File:SWBendInfo1.png]]
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| − | 5. Once Process Bend Info has been selected, the Send To Bend-Tech panel will be opened on the left side of the window. Depending on what kind of feature you selected (3D Sketch or Sweep), it will be shown in either the Feature Selection or Sketch Selection box. Make sure that the listed feature is correct, click on it to select it, then click the green check button.
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| − | [[File:SWSketchSend1.png]] [[File:SWSweepSend1.png]]
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| − | ===Part Definition===
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| − | 1. Now, back in the Bend-Tech window it's time to import the part information. To do so, either click on the SolidWorks™ icon in the icon toolbar or go to File --> Import --> SolidWorks. This will bring the part information into a Bend-Tech Import Part window.
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| − | [[File:SWIcon.jpg]] [[File:File_Import_SW2.jpg]]
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| − | "'''(Note) If the material cannot be successfully tracked and imported, a message box (shown below) will appear. In this case, you need to manually import the part in the import window. Click Yes to open the Import interface. See the [[SolidWorks Import Tutorial#Part Definition | SolidWorks Tutorial - Part Definition Section]] for a step by step Import walkthrough. If you do not see this message box, proceed to the next step.'''"
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| − | 2. A skeleton frame of the part will be shown in the part display window. Each section will have its own PickPoint. Straight sections have a gray outlined point and arcs/circles will have black outlined points.
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| − | "'''Note: From now on, only one part will be shown in the images. Both parts (Exported using 3D Sketch or Sweep) are imported using the same methods.'''"
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| − | [[File:SW_Window23.jpg]]
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| − | 3. Select a material from the "'''Select Material'''" drop down menu in the top corner. Since we are not working with the same part, you must choose a material that will work properly with your part design. If necessary, click the library button to open the "'''Tube/Pipe Library'''" to add or adjust any materials.
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| − | [[File:SWImportMaterial1.png]]
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| − | 4. Next, select a die from the "'''Select Die'''" drop down menu. Notice how the imported CLR is listed directly below this drop down menu. Since this specific part has a 2 inch CLR, a 2.0 CLR die has been selected. Choose a die that is either close to the imported CLR or a die that you will be using when creating this part later on.
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| − | [[File:SWImportDie1.png]]
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| − | 5. Once the part has been successfully imported automatically, the "'''Part Details'''" window and an "'''XYZ Part'''" design window will be opened. In the XYZ Part design window, the part can be adjusted further, saved, or a setup sheet for the part can be printed. The import process is complete. Now, move on to the Part Details window.
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| − | [[File:XYZPart79.jpg]]
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| − | 6. In the Part Details window, the top part of the window is occupied by a text box containing information about the part. If necessary, you can type directly in this area to either change or add new information.
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| − | [[File:PartDetailsWindow78.jpg]]
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| − | 7. The information and formatting displayed here is determined by the template that is currently in use. To change templates, select a new template from the drop down menu below "'''Default Template'''" in the SW Plugin Settings option.
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| − | 8. Select the "'''Part Details'''" tab at the top of the screen to add some cut-off lengths. Type "'''5'''" into both the "'''Cut-Off Start'''" and "'''Cut-Off End'''" value fields. Notice how the cut length (if included in the template) will adjust to compensate for these values. The lengths in the LRA table (while in either mode) will also be affected by any values entered here.
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| − | '''The tutorial is now complete.'''
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| − | '''Step 15:''' '''Again, open your SolidWorks software and verify that the Bend-Tech Add-In is installed properly.''' At this point, if you still have any issues or the Add-In is not properly functioning, please contact technical support.
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| − | 2020 Software Solutions, Inc.
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| − | 651-257-8715
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| − | support@bend-tech.com
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| − | '''''For some help with using the SolidWorks Module, see the following tutorials:'''''
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| − | *'''[[SolidWorks Import Tutorial]]'''
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| − | *'''[[SolidWorks Import Tutorial II]]'''
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This article contains the instructions on how to update and install the Bend-Tech SW plugin to work with Solidworks.
This article also assumes you have administrative privileges on your computer. For this process to be successful, it is absolutely necessary that these privileges are available. If you do not have proper access, you may need to obtain proper privileges before continuing!
First, use the following link to download the latest update to the Bend-Tech SW plugin: Bend-Tech SW Plugin
Download and save this update to your computer by clicking the Save File button.
Once the download is complete, find the downloaded install file (btsw_patch_121213a.exe) in the downloads folder, or under the arrow 
in the upper right hand corner of your browser and run it (To run it, either double click or right click and hit Open).
Once the WinZip window is shown, click the unzip button to install the patch.
Note: This method assumes your Bend-Tech is installed in the default directory. If Bend-Tech is not installed into the default directory (C:\2020ssi\Bend-Tech), you will need to modify the Unzip path in the Winzip window to match the install location of the Bend-Tech software.
After installing the patch, follow these steps to activate the SW plugin:
Step 1: If you purchased the SW Module separately from your Bend-Tech product, open the Tools - Activate Module screen press the Update button. If you purchased the SW Module along with your Bend-Tech product, skip to step 4.
Step 2: Your SW module should be activated at this point! Close down your Bend-Tech software by clicking the red X in the upper right corner or by going to File - Exit.
- If you are having trouble activating the SW module, please contact technical support.
Step 3: Make sure you have administrative privileges and turn off Windows User Account Control (UAC).
- To turn off UAC, open the Control Panel and go to User Account Settings.
Step 4: At this point, ensure that both Bend-tech AND SolidWorks are NOT running. You cannot have any versions of either software open in order to continue.
Step 5: Run the Bend-Tech 7x software and wait for it to fully load.
Step 6: Enable the SW module within Bend-Tech. Use the Tools - SW Plugin Settings menu at the top of the Bend-Tech window.
Step 7: Select the Register button within the Register SW Plugin section.
Step 8: Select the latest version of the .NET 32-bit Framework to install to. Click on the version in the list to select it.
Step 9: Select the Register button. You should see a black window flash and a message box appear.
Another message box will pop up and to tell you that the plugin was been successfully registered.
Step 10: Now repeat steps 8 and 9, but select the latest version of the .NET 64-bit Framework instead.
Step 11: Fully exit out of the Bend-Tech software.
Step 12: Open your SolidWorks software and verify the Bend-Tech Add-In is installed properly. This can be done by accessing the Tools - Add-Ins menu in SolidWorks.
Step 13: If the Add-In is still not functioning, navigate to the Bend-Tech directory and look under the \temp\ folder ('C:\2020ssi\Bend-Tech\temp). First, right click on the SW batch file (sw_reg.bat) and select the edit option from the menu.
- Once the file has been opened, the 5 line will be "cd framework64". Delete the 64, so the line is just "cd framework" instead. Then save and close the file.
Step 14: Right click on the SW batch file and select Run as Administrator.
in the upper right hand corner of your browser and run it (To run it, either double click or right click and hit Open).
