SpinFire Plug-ins

Automatic Parts Labeling

A new markup menu item brings up a panel to set the options for the markup creation. The panel will allow the user to set the following:

Apply markup to all parts, all sub assemblies or single part/sub assembly

• Select markup content
• Name
• Number
• Set background color
• Set font for markup

On execution the markup will be created for every visible part or sub assembly in the tree when the “Apply markup” option is set to “all parts” or “all assemblies”. If set to single part, the user will be prompted to select the part from screen.

Markup will only be applied to part/sub assemblies that are visible and won’t be created for hidden parts.

The NUMBER option for markup content will use the same numbering scheme that has been employed in the parts list plug-in. This means that the NUMBER option will only apply to parts and not sub assemblies. The NAME option will use the name that is shown in the assembly tree at teh time of creation. If the user changes the name in the tree after the markup is created, the markup will not be automatically updated.

Automated Excel

A listing of all the subassemblies, intermediates, parts, and raw materials that go into a parent assembly showing the quantity of each required to make an assembly.

Basically, a bill of material (BOM) is a complete list of the components making up an object or assembly. ERP and MRP databases contribute information to a BOM. It is also part of material requirements planning (MRP).

Bill of material is a list of the components necessary to make a part or product and the amount of each component required (inclusive of number, size, specification and grade of each piece).

This plug-in allows users to extract this information and use it in a variety of ways, typically in quotations or documentation. Previously this process was somewhat laborious, but not with this plug-in.

Cross-section Plus

The purpose of the Surface Area of Cross Section plug-in is to augment SpinFire Professional cross section capabilities by providing the capability to compute the surface area of a sectioned model. The plug-in will be implemented as a separate dialog that can be invoked from SpinFire Professional.A sectioned model may include a single part or multiple parts. The parts may be separate or embedded. The initial plug-in will provide the basic functionality to compute the surface area with limited capabilities. Only visible parts will be used by the plug-in.

This enhancement should prove to be very valuable for many users. Anyone needing to calculate stamping pressures for example will find this feature of massive benefit.

Draft Angle Analysis

The Draft Angle Analysis plug-in allows the user to specify one or more parts in an assembly, and ask for visual feedback on what level of draft angle has been applied to these surfaces when compared to a “pull direction”.

*This plug-in is NOT free. If you’d like to purchase this plug-in, please contact sales@actify.com.

Model Compare

The Model Compare plug-in compares two sets of parts or assemblies and displays the material that has been added or removed.

By default the added material will be shown in blue and the removed material will be shown in red, but users may change the colors of the added and removed material.

STL Export

The STL Export plug-in allows the user to export the active 3D document as an STL file.

The STL file that is exported will contain a single part and a single surface, regardless of the number of parts and surfaces in the original design.

Exploded Assembly

To simplify the process of creating exploded assemblies for documentation or presentations, the exploded assembly plug-in simplifies and speeds up the process of moving parts or sub-assemblies. The parts can be moved using one of three options.

• Linear – Moves all parts in the same direction.
• Radial – Moves all parts away from a central axis.
• Spherical – Moves all parts away from a central point.

The parts can be moved equal distances or relative to their location in the assembled location (move more the further away from the origin and less the closer to the origin).

To better control movement, the user can apply the movement at the part or sub assembly level. Moving a select few or all the parts.

Minimum Distance

Enhancing the measurement capabilities of SpinFire the Minimum Distance plug-in computes and displays the minimum distance between the selected entities. The selection could be between sub assemblies, parts and sets of surfaces. Thus allowing you to find absolute minimums and local minimums.

The tool is easy to use. You start by selecting the first set of entities and then select the second set of entities and select the Compute button. The distance is displayed like any other measurement dimension.

Minimum Thickness

The minimum thickness plug-in finds the location on the part with the minimum wall thickness.

Part List Generator

The Part List Generator plug-in allows the user to quickly create parts list for assemblies.

To view the Parts List, select File > Export > Parts List

This displays the Parts List panel for the current .3D file.

Weight Calculator Plug-in

The Weight Calculator plug-in allows one to compute the solid weight using material properties.

The plug-in provides the ability to approximate the weight of a model based on the type of material chosen. The material is selected from an extensive list of materials commonly used in the manufacturing industry.

Materials can be added, deleted or modified from the list supplied with the software. This allows the User to customize the material list to their specific needs.

In this way various material types can be explored to see the impact on the weight of the part or assembly. This information is also extremely useful for buyers and people generating quotes.