Hello everyone.  This is my first post in the community.  I've been using Solidworks for about 8 years now but I've never really gotten into the programming side of it.  Most of the parts that we design are sheet metal parts.  We store the parts in directories based on a part number series.  Once we create a new part we have to add processing times into our MRP system.  This is a very mind numbing process.  It consists of opening a solid model, suppressing it into a flat pattern, getting a perimeter measurement and then calculating the cutting speeds based on our formulas.  You also have to count the number of bends and enter that information in.  Once we have that information we then open the part in the MRP system and enter this data.

What I would like to do is come up with a program to automate this process.  My thoughts are to create a data sheet with all the part numbers that need to be entered and then enter it into this program.  The program would then automatically open each part, measure the part / Calculate the cutting speed, count the number of bends and then output a file with Part Number--Cutting Time--Number of Bends.  I could then use a dataloader to enter this information into the MRP system.

Do you all think this is possible?  It sounds like a prime opportunity to save a ton of time.  We spend 20+ hours a week doing this and it is only going to increase.

Thanks a ton for your input!