Sheet Metal Bending?

[Duke400ex]

This might be hard to explain but here it goes. I am creating a part in sheet metal that has multiple bends. BUT first the piece that I have to bend is a piece of flat bar but is bent at the top and bottom to make it like a channel. I have made the channel but now I am unable to bend that piece across the other axis. Has anyone had this happen? I am trying to notch out where the bends will be but so far no luck.

 

[rollupswx]

You best bet is probably to model "as bent" rather than folding a flat sheet and then let SWx figure out the flat for you. Attach what you have so far.

 

[JMirisola]

I'm thinking that SW is going to puke on the curved curve. In the past, I've created a sweep feature for the curved curve, but it won't flatten. If you don't need a flat pattern, that's probably the best way to go.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
Design Manager/Senior Designer
M9 Defense
My Blog

 

[Duke400ex]

Rollup I tried that approach and was not able to get it to work out. I don't know if there is a good way for this to work just wondered if someone has encountered this yet.

 

[jobiewan99]

Are you using sketched bends? If so, try edge flanges. Sometimes they are more forgiving about things like this.

Solidworks 2009 SP5.1
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[CorBlimeyLimey]

Flex may be an option, but it's difficult to say without seeing what the finished part should be.

 

[rollupswx]

Rollup I tried that approach ...

...yet still no file attachment?

 

[Duke400ex]

Thanks for all your help I figured it out. I had to go through and use stretch bends and do all of those bends first. Then I had to use Miter Flange to create the lips at the top and bottom. For it to follow all the way through the bends and curves you need to use propagate. Using propagate this automatically notched out all of the places that had the bends.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

"stretch bends" ??

 

[JMirisola]

I suspect he meant 'sketch bends', CBL. I suspect, too, that some of us were thinking he was trying to put a bend over a bend, or something along those lines. In the end, I think he was simply trying to do something like the attached, or close to it.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
Design Manager/Senior Designer
M9 Defense
My Blog

 

[rollupswx]

Anyone else curious to see the results.

Hmmm, I wonder if a bunch of us modeled up what "we think" was the problem description - who would win the prize for the closest solution to the actual design intent.

 

[StrykerTECH]

Here is how you make that.

Step 1 - Base Flange command of the bottom rectangle
Step 2 - Add and edge flange creating the angled wings on both sides.
Step 3 - Add another edge flange feature ot all exterior edges
Remember to click "trim side to bends" otherwise it may not unfold.

Ryan Marks
Mechanical Engineer

http://www.stryker-tech.com/