Sheet metal question

[Morglisn]

Hey guys... got a bit of a problem here.

We're planning to use a sheet of grooved duct board, approximately .5" thick, to make insulation covers for pipe tees. The duct board is 40" wide, folding to 4 10" sections (making a square cover). We'd like to use one piece of duct board, cut properly, to cover the intersection of two pipes.

My problem is that I can't seem to model this correctly. Even though I KNOW my flat pattern could be folded to form the cover, SW won't do it. It tells me that the part intersects itself after bend operations. I'll be happy to send the model to whoever cares to help.

Thanks!!

 

[SBaugh]

Sounds like your trying to make a Cylindrical bend from flat steel. You can't do it. You have to build it cylindrical then flatten it. See my reply in thread559-58755.

I might be reading this wrong so if I am let me know.

Thanks,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
When in doubt, always check the help

 

[TheTick]

I'd like a look, if you don't mind. Contact me at the email address in my profile. Please don't send anything over 2.0MB without telling me first (limited mailbox space).

There's no double-lock defense; there's no chain on my door.
And I'm available for consultation,
but remember your way in is also my way out

 

[Morglisn]

Actually, the cover isn't cylindrical. It's square. The duct board is a flat piece, approximately 40" wide. There are three grooves down the center of the board, placed there for bending purposes. The board is then folded into a square, and taped. We want to create a cover for a pipe tee by using only one piece, cutting it as needed, and then folding it.

Let me know if that didn't clarify things a bit.

 

[SBaugh]

OK I made a square piece using the Dimensions you gave me. Are you using Insert bends or Base Flange. I used Base Flange without a problem. Folded it 3 times to create the square shape in one feature (Sketched Bend). How are you building it?

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
When in doubt, always check the help

 

[TheTick]

I gave your model a quick look and reread your initial post. It sounds like when you make your final "closing: flange, you make it so long that it intersects another flange.

Try making your last flange (the one that causes the intersection error) deliberately short so that it does not cross any other flanges and see if you get the error. Also, make sure the sides of the flange are not intersecting other solid geometry.

The sheetmetal modeling engine does not handle intersecting geometry the same way that the "regular" modeling engine does. If these flanges were non-sheetmetal geometry, SW would just allow them to pass through each other. Sheetmetal does not allow new flanges to pass through existing flanges.

 

[TheTick]

Well, it allows it, but not without a squawk.