sheet metal - flat patterns 2

[mathey]

The sheetmetal guys here are looking for a flat pattern that shows basically the tangent edges of each bend...I can give them the bend line, which appears to be the centerline of the bend...they can manually add the offset lines, but is there a way to get SW to show these?

SW 2005 SP3.1 --> Fabri-Win

 

[dsmith1022]

Use the unfold command (collect all bends) instead of unsuppressing the flat pattern to create your flat. Then in the drawing insert the new view. Right click in the drawing view and show tangent edges. Hope its clear.

 

[MMike1]

I just tried to do this out of curiosity, and dsmith, it didn't work for me.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Worked for me with SW2004-SP2.1, but did not give the bend lines ... only tangent lines.


Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of faq559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions faq559-1091

 

[mathey]

i got it to work as well...is there anyway to show the bend lines as well?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Simplest way would be to draw a centreline using the mid-point of the line between the tangent edges.

Another possibility would be to use configs ... one normal SM part (with the Unfold feature suppressed, one with the Unfold unsuppressed ... and then overlay the two views. Don't know how you would accurately align them though, as you can only have one alignment between two views.

Yet another possibilty ... place the above part configs into an assy where they can be accurately mated, & then make the views from the assy.

The best way though would be for your SM guys to use the standard bendline method like most other metal shops do.


Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of faq559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions faq559-1091

 

[mathey]

oh sure...you try to tell them to change...

"we've always done it this way" is a common refrain...

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of faq559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions faq559-1091

 

[smcadman]

From SW 2005 Help file

To toggle the visibility of the bend region lines in a flat pattern view:
Right-click the drawing view in the drawing sheet.
Select Tangent Edge, Tangent Edges Visible or Tangent Edges Removed.
- or -
Select Tangent Edge, Tangent Edges With Font to show bend region lines in the specified document Line Font.

If the bend region lines do not appear, go back to the part window and right-click Flat-Pattern in the FeatureManager design tree. Select Edit Feature, and clear Merge faces. You may have to rebuild the drawing to see the tangent edges.

I can't even find the "merge faces" option, go figure...

(search for "sheet metal" > pick "sheet metal" > pick "creating drawings of sheet metal parts)

Flores

 

[dsmith1022]

I followed the help that smcadman posted it works fine for me. A bonus is that it lets you show the bend line sketch as well.

SW2005 sp4

Donnie

 

[J-C]

Try editing the "Flatten" feature at the end of the tree. There's an option to merge faces which you need to uncheck.

Jason

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

It's amazing what you can learn when you read ALL of the Help files, eh!

Good catch guys.


Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of faq559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions faq559-1091