What Is a Cut List in SolidWorks?

by

What Is a Cut List in SolidWorks?

In SolidWorks, a cut list is a feature that allows you to define and organize the various cuts and structural elements of a 3D model. It provides crucial information about each cut, such as its dimensions, material, and quantity. Cut lists are commonly used in industries like manufacturing, construction, and engineering to streamline the fabrication process.

Why Use a Cut List?

Organizing Your Design:

A cut list helps you better manage your design by breaking it down into smaller components. This allows you to have a clear overview of all the cuts required for your project.

Material Calculation:

By having an accurate cut list, you can easily calculate the amount of material needed for your project. This helps in estimating costs and preventing wastage.

Fabrication and Assembly:

A well-structured cut list makes it easier for fabricators and assemblers to understand the design intent. Each cut is clearly defined with its dimensions, eliminating any confusion during the manufacturing process.

Creating a Cut List in SolidWorks

To create a cut list in SolidWorks, follow these steps:

  1. Create your 3D model or import an existing one into SolidWorks.
  2. Add features such as cuts, holes, or fillets to your model as needed.
  3. Select the features that you want to include in the cut list. You can use either Ctrl + Click or Shift + Click to select multiple features.
  4. Right-click on any of the selected features and choose Insert into New Part. This will create a new part containing only the selected features.
  5. In the new part, go to the FeatureManager Design Tree and expand the Cut-List-Items folder. Here, you will find a list of all the selected features.
  6. Name each cut: Double-click on each cut in the cut-list folder to give it a meaningful name.
  7. Add material information: Right-click on a cut and select Edit Material.

    Specify the material for that particular cut.

  8. Add dimensions: Double-click on a cut to open its properties. Here, you can add dimensions or other relevant information.
  9. Add custom properties: Right-click on a cut and select Edit Custom Properties. This allows you to add additional information like part numbers or descriptions.

You can customize your cut list by adding more columns or rearranging them as per your requirements. To do this, right-click on any column header in the cut-list folder and choose Show/Hide Columns.

Tips for Using Cut Lists Effectively

1. Keep Your Model Simple:

Avoid unnecessary complexity in your model. Use separate bodies for different parts to ensure accurate representation in the cut list.

2. Review and Update Regularly:

As you make changes to your model, remember to review and update your cut list accordingly. This ensures that you have an up-to-date and accurate representation of your design.

3. Utilize Custom Properties:

Custom properties allow you to add specific information to each cut, such as part numbers or descriptions. Utilize this feature to provide additional details that may be helpful during fabrication or assembly.

4. Leverage Templates:

Create templates for your cut lists to ensure consistency across projects. This saves time and effort by eliminating the need to recreate the same formatting and column layout for each new project.

By effectively utilizing cut lists in SolidWorks, you can enhance your design process, improve collaboration with fabricators and assemblers, and streamline the overall manufacturing workflow.