I need help with bent metal sheet from DXF to SW 1

[PEU]

Hi, I would like to make a SW 3D model of some dxf's
These files are bent profiles with instructions to be laser marked and then cut and bended

Here is one file:

http://peu.net/temp/bendquestion.zip

Whats the shortest path to make a 3D model of it? I have 23 files to model

Thanks in advance

 

[ShaggyPE]

I am typically not a fan of importing sketch geometry for the purposes of reverse engineering something. In your case, however since it appears your parts only have a single bend and the profile is undimentioned and somewhat curvy (not straight cuts), this seems like a good route. I would recommend going through your dxfs and removing all annotations and extraneous stuff... So all you have is the profile. Then through solidworks, open the dxf. Follow the instructions to insert the dxf into a sketch in a new part. You will then be able to extrude the sketch to a thickness. Then insert bends and add a bend line. You should go through the sketch that is inserted from the dxf and lock it down with dimensions and sketch relations. This is probably the fastest method of generating models of your parts, but not the cleanest. The cleanest method would be to model them from scratch.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional
Certified COSMOSWorks Designer Specialist

 

[PEU]

Hi, its not reverse engineering, the plans are available at

http://www.mechmate.com

but there are no 3D models of them (I asked) so I decided to make them myself.

I never worked with bends in SW, can you walkme thru the process of bending a sketch?

Thanks!

I use SW2007, no need to upgrade yet

 

[TheTick]

Look up SW's 2D to 3D conversion tools. Most of them are on the "2D to 3D" toolbar.

 

[ctopher]

A Google and YouTube search helps:

http://www.sheetmetaldesign.com/WhitePapers/SolidWorks/SheetMetalBestPractices/Index.htm

http://www.sheetmetalguy.com/solidworks/

http://blogs.solidworks.com/teacher/files/Sheetmetal.pdf

http://www.youtube.com/results?sear...l&search_type=&aq=0&oq=solidworks,+sheetmetal

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion

 

[PEU]

This link you posted:

http://blogs.solidworks.com/teacher/files/Sheetmetal.pdf

is a great tutorial, I didn't found it when I googled for help. Thanks!!

Pablo

---
I use SW2007, no need to upgrade yet

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

There is a Sheet Metal tutorial in the Help > SolidWorks Tutorials section.

 

[PEU]

Im on my way, the solution I was looking for is sketched bends

Thanks to you all!

Pablo

---
I use SW2007, no need to upgrade yet

 

[PEU]

One more question, now I want to bend 90degrees up the selected tabs but after I draw the bent sketch and try to generate the feature I receive an error "failed to make the sketched bend"
I think this is because the part has already bent parts that are over this line, even if I make the bent line sketch small enough to fit inside the tab I receive this error.
Also tried to do this bend before any other and failed too.

How should I do it?

Thanks!

Pablo

---
I use SW2007, no need to upgrade yet

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

You should be able to use the bend sketch across the upper tab, but not at the lower left tab because you cannot bend across a bend.

 

[MikeHalloran]

SW lacks a hammer tool.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[ctopher]

But it does have a push/pull tool.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion