Flat Pattern - Dimples

[KopCad]

Is it possible to create a flat pattern from the attached file?

Using the forming/flattening set up I use for for straight bends, gives poor results.
So, I have been trying to use the other algorithms, but its trial and error and I don't seem to be able to get anything close.

I am using NX 5.0.6.3

 

[JohnRBaker]

This is NOT a part which can be 'formed'. It must be 'stamped', using dies.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[KopCad]

Can UG flatten anything other than straight breaks then?

 

[potrero]

There's a functionality called Metaform which can be used to flatten sheets with complex curvature, based on the material properties of the part. (Within Modeling application, go to Insert > Sheetmetal > Metaform)

There is also a tool that can be used to flatten woven materials. Within the Modeling application, go to Tools > Composite > Fabric Flat Pattern. I've heard that this functionality is, for some unknown and incomprehensible reason, being considered for removal. It's pretty useful for, say, generating flat patterns for fabric plies draped on surfaces with complex curvature. The only other alternative tool I'm aware of in NX is in the optional Laminate Composites module - and if I remember correctly, the process to calculate a fabric flat pattern in Laminate Composites is much more involved (it depends on a finite element mesh, for example). So hopefully Siemens won't discard Modeling > Tools > Composite > Fabric Flat Pattern - rather, enhance it : ).

 

[JohnRBaker]

I'm sorry, but the ONLY practical way in which THIS particular part can be manufactured is by using STAMPING techniques and therefore what you need to look at is modeling the necessary dies. Considering the shape of the part as well as the size and number of the 'dimples', you will learn very little from going through an exercise using any sort of flattening or unfolding software, and in my humble opinion, would be a waste of time and effort since this is obviously a rather simple and straightforward STAMPING.

And yes, NX Sheet Metal was designed to ONLY unfold straight break sheet metal parts.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[KopCad]

No need to be sorry John.

I did'nt mean to upset you. You seem to be FORMING a bad opinion of me.
In my humble opinion you should just BLANK this reply, no PUNCHING or FLATTENING required!
Anyway I’ll have to CROP this short and DRAW myself away, so calm down and have a beer on me.



BTW the last part of your post was ALL I needed to know.

 

[JohnRBaker]

Sorry if that came off a bit 'strong' (that was not my intentions at all), but I was just trying to save you some time and effort looking at alternatives which in the end were not going to help you all that much with THIS particular part.

Note however that I was also responding to a feeling that I had which suggested that recommendations were being made as to possible solutions, but perhaps without actually looking at the part in question.

Again, sorry if my tenor was a bit off ;-)

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[potrero]

Hmm, I guess I should apologise to someone as well; I didn't mean to send minesaber off on an unrelated path; the follow up question was:

Can UG flatten anything other than straight breaks then?

So I answered it. Sorry about that.

Cheers.

 

[hudson888]

For clarity I've used these tools extensively on metal and composite. What occurs is that straightforward flat patterning methods just don't work for shapes that need to be formed rather than folded and that is what this example is. In forming then you can sometimes quite accurately approximate results by a finite element method but they can also be very sensitive to variations in material properties and other process related factors. As a result you simply wouldn't go about it that way because it would not work well enough to be even worth considering.

Best Regards

Hudson

www.jamb.com.au

Nil Desperandum illegitimi non carborundum

 

[JohnRBaker]

Just for the record, we actually do sell a comprehensive Die Design package which includes the tools needed to analyze and model the tooling needed to manufacture stamped parts, however it is optimized for the type of work done when designing and fabricating automotive sheet metal stampings.

If interested, you can learn more at:

http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/products/nx/machining/tool_fixture/auto_stamping.shtml

and

http://www.plm.automation.siemens.com/en_us/Images/4672_tcm1023-4494.pdf

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Design Solutions
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

http://www.plmworld.org/museum/

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.