I am not able to view the Flat Pattern in NX Sheet Metal

[musicmoria007]

I am not able to view Flat Pattern in NX Sheet metal. Please help me. Also, when I use Flat Solid tool, the flat solid is created separately. Please give me the solution

 

[DSikes]

When you create a flat pattern it goes onto it's own view that isn't visible by default. If you want to see the flat pattern you will need to change to the flat pattern view. Do this by going to View -> Layout -> Replace View, then select the flat pattern view and it should be visible. Not sure about the flat solid though.

 

[JohnRBaker]

The 'Flat Solid' function creates, by design, a separate, but associative, copy of the formed sheet metal model, only in it's flattened state. And since this 'separate' body is always placed at the END of the modeling tree, any changes in the actual formed sheet metal model will also be reflected in the 'Flat Solid'. That way as you modify existing features or add additional features to the formed sheet metal model, you will see those changes and additions immediately in the 'Flat Solid'.

Now if for some reason you want to actual REPLACE the formed sheet metal model with a flattened model (so that there is only one solid in the file) you could do that using the 'Unbend' command, but I would not do that as that's not really what that function is used for. But rather as a method for adding features to a model which can only be created in the flattened state, but then you have to use the 'Rebend' function to return the model to it's original formed state so as to finish the model before you create an actual 'Flat Solid' which will represent the final blank which much be cut before the actual physical part can be manufactured (formed) in the finished product.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA
Siemens PLM:
UG/NX Museum:

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

 

[SiW979]

A quicker way to view the flat pattern is to expand the model views node at the top of your part navigator so you can see a list of all the default view and the flat pattern view and you can just double click to change between views you want to see.

John, the fact that the flat pattern always remains at the end of the model history has caused us no end of problems here, specifically when adding weld preps. It would be really nice to be able to time stamp the flat pattern so chamfers and sweeps are not taken into account. Especially those that run over bends. (see a typical problem in the attached image)

Best regards

Simon NX7.5.4.4 MP8 - TC 8 www.jcb.com