Banbury-based LVD Pullmax Ltd (www.lvdgroup.com) has added a new module to its CADMAN suite of programming and shop management software.

CADMAN-SDI (Smart Drawing Importer) has been designed to simplify 2-D and 3-D CAD file import, as well as the calculation of cost drivers so that users can more quickly and accurately create job estimates.

CAD drawing files can be imported into the module with a simple ‘drag and drop’ action. In addition, files can be imported part by part, or in a batch of parts, using STEP, SAT, IGIS, DXF, DWG, SLDPRT, IPT, STL, WMF or a number of other formats.

Once imported, files are converted to OSM (Open Sheet Metal) format and stored in the central CADMAN database. These files are immediately accessible for all other modules of the CADMAN suite for the generation of laser, punching and bending programs — and job scheduling.

LVD says that CADMAN-SDI provides all the details needed to create an accurate cost estimate, including unfolded 2-D drawing, material type and thickness, as well as cost drivers such as contour length, part area, external measurements, part mass, cutting length, number of contours and number of bends. The data can be exported to an Excel, PDF, XML or CSV file.

This latest software also includes BrisCAD, a ‘direct modelling’ CAD package that allows the 3-D drawing to be reviewed in detail, modified or corrected as required.