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I think that depends on the manufacturer. The ones I've worked with prefer a 3D CAD model so they can process it through their own software and after they've made the necessary changes for their production tooling they provide a 3D drawing for approval.Drawings are good though so [USER=153]@FCase[/USER], if you can provide them that'd be great. But if not, at the very least be sure to have the manufacturer give you drawings (whether it's PDF, or SolidWorks eDrawings or whatever CAD they use) to approve to make sure they're interpreting the STEP file correctly.For flat parts like acrylic that's a good idea, but I'd hesitate to do that with formed sheet metal parts. Each shop has different press brake tooling and their own preferences for bend allowance and such so I think it's better to let them figure it out.
I think that depends on the manufacturer. The ones I've worked with prefer a 3D CAD model so they can process it through their own software and after they've made the necessary changes for their production tooling they provide a 3D drawing for approval.
Drawings are good though so [USER=153]@FCase[/USER], if you can provide them that'd be great. But if not, at the very least be sure to have the manufacturer give you drawings (whether it's PDF, or SolidWorks eDrawings or whatever CAD they use) to approve to make sure they're interpreting the STEP file correctly.
For flat parts like acrylic that's a good idea, but I'd hesitate to do that with formed sheet metal parts. Each shop has different press brake tooling and their own preferences for bend allowance and such so I think it's better to let them figure it out.
