File format

File location

The default folder is \DSTV_Profiles or DSTV_Plates under the current model folder.

You can define another destination folder for NC files in one of the following ways:

• You can enter the folder path in the File location box. You can also browse for the path.

  For example, enter C:\NC.

• If you leave the field empty, the NC files will be created in the current model folder.
• To create the NC file in a specific folder under the current model folder, enter .\<folder_name>.

  For example, enter .\MyNCFiles.

• You can use the model-specific advanced option XS_​MIS_​FILE_​DIRECTORY to define the destination folder for NC and MIS files. Go to the CNC category in the Advanced Options dialog box, and enter the desired folder path for the advanced option XS_MIS_FILE_DIRECTORY. The NC files will be created in the specified folder under a folder that has the name of the current model.

  For example, if you define C:\NC , and the name of the current model is MyModel , the NC files will be created in the folder C:\NC\MyModel.

File extension

Include revision mark to file name

Add a revision mark to the NC file name.

The file name then includes a number indicating the revision of the file, P176.nc1 becomes P176_1.nc1 , for example.

Create what

Select the type of files to create:

NC files creates only DSTV files.

Part list creates only a MIS list file ( .xsr ).

If you create an MIS list file, enter a name for the list in the Part list file name box. Also, you need to click the Browse button next to the Part list file location box and browse for the location where you want to save the list .

NC files and part list creates both the DSTV files and an MIS list file.

Combined NC files and part list embedds DSTV files in an MIS list file ( .xsr ).

Maximum size

The options define the maximum length, width, and height of the parts the machine tool can handle. Larger parts are sent to other machines.

Profile type

All profiles that are set to Yes in the Profile type list can be handled by the machine tool. Profile types are named according to the DSTV standard.

I : I profiles

U : U and C profiles

L : L profiles

M : Rectangular tubes

R : Round bars and tubes

B : Plate profiles

CC : CC profiles

T : T profiles

SO : Z profiles and all the other types of profiles

By default, Tekla Structures unwraps round tubes as plate profiles and uses the plate profile type B in the NC file header data. To change this, use the advanced option XS_​TUBE_​UNWRAP_​USE_​PLATE_​PROFILE_​TYPE_​IN_​NC.

Maximum size of holes

The Maximum size of holes options define how large holes the machine tool is able to drill. The NC file is not created if a part contains larger holes or its material is thicker than the specified values. The hole size is connected to material thickness or plate thickness.

Each row contains the maximum hole diameter and the material thickness. Both conditions have to be met for the NC file to be created. For example, a row with the values 60 45 means that when the material thickness is 45 mm or smaller, and the hole diameter is 60 mm or smaller, the NC file is created. You can add as many rows as needed.

The following example shows how the Maximum size of holes can be defined. In this example, we have the following situation:

• Three plates of different thickness.

• Two bolt groups with equal sizes, and one bolt group with a larger size.

Maximum size of holes are defined as follows:

Test1 creates a folder under the model folder for the plates that meet the following criteria:

• Hole diameter : 22

• Plate thickness : 10

Test2 creates a folder under the model folder for the plates that meet the following criteria:

• Hole diameter : 22

• Plate thickness : 20

When you create NC files for the plates, the folder Test1 includes the plate PL350*10 and the folder Test2 includes the plate PL350*20. The plate PL350*15 is not included in any folder, because the hole size criterion is not met.

The order in which you enter the criteria is important: enter the most exclusive criteria first. If you define the criteria in a different order, the results will also be different.

Inner corners shape

The Inner corners shape option defines the shape of, for example, web notches or flange cuts at the beam end.

The Inner corner shape option also affects cuts on the flange:

The Inner corner shape option does not apply to rectangular openings that are located in the middle of a part:

The Inner corner shape option does not apply to those inner contours that are already rounded in the model. The model values remain intact.

The examples in the below show how the different inner corner shape options affect the part in the NC file. The original part in the model has flanges cut entirely and the web is notched.

Option 0 : Radius

The inner corners are shaped like holes with a given radius. A separate BO block is not written to the NC file.

Option 1 : Tangential

The inner corner is rounded according to the value in the Radius box.

Option 2 : Square

The corner is as it is in the model.

Option 3 : Drilled hole

A drilled hole is added to the inner corner. The hole radius is the same as the value in the Radius box. Holes are written as a separate BO block to the NC file.

Option 4 : Tangential drilled hole

A drilled hole is added tangentially to the inner corner. The hole radius is the same as the value in the Radius box. Holes are written as a separate BO block to the NC file.

Distance from flange within which web is not cut

The Distance from flange within which web is not cut option defines the height of the flange clearance area. The clearance check only affects the I , U , C , and L DSTV profile types.

If a cut in a part is located closer to the flange than the clearance in the model, the cut points inside that clearance are moved to the border of the clearance area when the NC file is written.

The part how it is modeled. The cut goes closer to the top flange than the defined flange clearance in the NC file settings:

The part how it is written in the NC files. The dimension shows the clearance. The top of the original cut is moved so that the clearance area is left free. The bottom of the cut is not moved.

Machine slots as

The Machine slot as option defines how slotted holes are created:

Ignore slots : Slotted holes are not created in the NC file.

A single hole in the center of the slot : Drills a single hole in the center of the slotted hole.

Four small holes, one at each corner : Drills four smaller holes, one at each corner.

Internal contours : Flame-cuts the slots as internal contours.

Slots : Leaves slots as they are.

Maximum diameter for holes to be drilled

The Maximum diameter for holes to be drilled option defines the maximum hole diameter. Holes and slotted holes that are larger than the maximum hole diameter are manufactured as internal contours.

Maximum diameter for circular cuts to be drilled

Maximum diameter for circular cuts to be drilled defines the maximum circular part cuts. They are written as holes if the diameter of the cut is less than the value defined for the setting. Smaller internal circular cuts are converted to holes.

Create hard stamp

Hard stamp content

The Elements list defines which elements are included in hard stamps and the order in which the elements appear in the hard stamp. You can also define the Text height and Case.

Project number : Adds the project number to the hard stamp.

Lot number : Adds the lot number to the hard stamp.

Phase : Adds the phase number to the hard stamp.

Part position : Prefix and position number of the part.

Assembly position : Prefix and position number of the assembly.

Material : The material of the part.

Finish : The type of finish.

User-defined attribute : Adds a user-defined attribute (user fields 1-4) to the mark.

Text : Opens a dialog box where you can add user-defined text to the hard stamp.

Including part position and/or assembly position in the hard stamp affects the NC filename:

• Part position: P1.nc1 , P2.nc1

• Assembly position: A1.nc1 , A2.nc1

• Assembly and part position: A1-P1.nc1 , A2-P2.nc1

The following example shows a hard stamp that contains the elements Phase , Part position , Material , and Text.

Hard stamp placing

If you set the option By orientation mark to Yes , the default face is changed from bottom ( u ) to top ( o ) for L profiles, rectangular tubes and round bars.

The Side option defines the side of the part on which the hard stamp is placed.

The Position along the part and Position in depth of part options define the position of hard stamps on parts.

These options move the hard stamp on the same face it is created, but they cannot move the stamp to a different face. If the face is, for example, the bottom flange, you can move the stamp to a different place on bottom flange, but not to the top flange.

Default faces for different profiles:

I profile: Bottom flange ( u )

U and C profiles: Back side of web ( h )

L profiles: Back (h) or Bottom ( u )

Rectangular tubes: Bottom flange ( u )

Round bars: Bottom flange ( u )

Circular tubes: Front ( v )

T profiles: Back side of web ( h )

Plate profiles: Front ( v )

Number of decimals

Below is an example, where the Change external contour (AK block) radius sign on top (o) and back (h) faces is not selected.

Below is an example, where the Change external contour (AK block) radius sign on top (o) and back (h) faces is selected.

Change internal contour (IK block) radius sign

Change the IK block curve radius signs for top (o) and back (h) faces. This change only affects top (o) and back (h) faces.

Curve detection

Chord tolerance

Curve detection controls whether three points should be read as a curve instead of two straight lines. When Curve detection is set to Yes , Tekla Structures checks the edges of a solid against a virtual curve described by the edges to see if the edges are curved or straight based on the Chord tolerance value. Enter the Chord tolerance value in millimeters. Curve detection is on by default.

The image below describes the chord tolerance.

Convert I profile to T profile when flange is missing

Select whether to convert I profiles to T profiles when a flange is missing. You can select either Yes or No.

Select whether to keep or skip the points that are almost collinear.

Create KA block for

Select the following options to show bent line information for bent plates and polybeam plates in the NC file KA block: Unfolded bent plates and Unfolded polybeam plates.