DSTV NC Interface

This function enables you to prepare HiCAD files for export to NC equipment. The type of machine targeted determines whether the DSTV-NC or NCX Interface will be selected.

The NC Interface creates for each itemised part a NC file with the file name extension .NC. This file contains information such as attributes of the part, processings (maximum bore diameter, arcs etc.).The designation drawing_Pn is used as file name, with drawing being the name of the current drawing and n the item number of the corresponding part.

Please note that only itemised parts can be exported.

To export a file via the DSTV NC interface, select > Save as > Further... > DSTV-NC.

The export dialogue is divided into several areas:

Lettering
Punch mark output
Powder marking line output
Others

Lettering

You are can individually allow or suppress an automated Lettering for Beams+Profiles, Plates and Contact surfaces.
You can specify the Position on flange or web via X- and Y-coordinates.
In the Text area you can select whether you want the Item number to be written onto the part alone, or together with the Drawing number or Order number. In addition, you are enabled to select a Font size.

Punch mark output

If there are any Punch marks, you can determine whether you want to apply them to the part and if so, specify their position via the corresponding tab for beams or plates:

Write into block BO (Bore)
Write into block KO (Punch marks)
Do not write

Powder marking line output

You proceed likewise for Powder marking line output:

Write into block BO (Bore)
Write into block PU (Powder marking line)
Do not write

In the Beam and Plate tab you can specify various settings, such as the general Length of the Side marking, or extended settings concerning contours and identifications.

Besides the representation option Contours, entire length of contact edge option, you can choose between the following three other options:

Contours with length limitation: For the representation of the mounting of longer parts, the powder marking line can be replaced with a intermediate segmented line whose segment lengths and the distances between them can be specified. Default values are a length of 15 mm and a distance of 500 mm.

Contours with length limitation

Minimal markings at 2 corners: Marks two corners and the connecting side of the attachment part. Specify a value for the Line length for corners.

Minimal markings at 2 corners

Punch marks at corners: For symmetrical parts that are rotated 90 or 180 degrees about the beam axis, there will be several possible attachment positions. This requires a clear an unambiguous marking of the connection side by means of punch marks. Specify a Diameter.

Punch marks at corners

1: Contour representation, entire length; 2 Contour representation, limited length

In the Extended tab you to specify parameters for Tolerance for powder marking line search, such as Distance tolerance, Angle tolerance and Minimum length.

Others

In the Others area you can specify a maximum bore diameter. Exclude bores from export by deactivating the Write mounting bores checkbox.

Here, you can you also enter maximum values for the Arcs of outer and inner contour. Here, too, you can select, in the Item No. on attribute field, whether you want the item number or part number to be written onto the part, and if so, you can specify further whether they are to be written into the block BO (Bore) or IK (Inner contour), and set the number of their decimal places.

If you want "Comment" lines to be output as well, activate the Write comment checkbox at the bottom of the dialogue window. Here you can also select what parts you want to be exported: Only active part, Active part list or All parts.

After selecting the required options, confirm with OK. In the following dialogue, specify a path for the export data.

In the File name area you can select whether you want to generate it based on the HiCAD file name, the HELiOS document master data, or the HELiOS part master data (if you are working with a HELiOS Database).

After selecting the desired options, confirm with OK. In the next dialogue window, specify the target directory for the export data.

Please note:

After completion of the export, a protocol file (conversion log) containing errors and information about the data transfer will be displayed. Double-click a log entry to show further information. The data are saved in a LOG file.
The DSTV-NC and NCX interfaces generate log files with the file name extension .LOG during export.
For the DSTV NC Interface you can specify in the configuration file \sys\stb_parameter.dat which attribute should be used as item number for "H" parts. Default setting is the item number of the assembly.
The setting for maximum bore diameter is only considered for through holes; countersinks of whatever diameter will always be written into the "BO" block.