Did you find something to do the job?
I know that a number of vendors have software that will do this- I worked for Amada, and they have lots of sheet metal-related software, for programmming, nesting, unfolding, and so forth.
No, it isn't cheap.
No, I haven't used much of it.
Aside from what they (Amada) can show/tell you, I do know some fellow Amada alumni who might be willing to discuss...
Fredlai,
I am a Solidworks user. I create formed and flat sheet metal parts for our Amada stamping turret. The software
calculates stretch of material when suppressing the bends.
Our parts are pretty accurate in fabrication. Check it out.
Solidworks works great, but it isn't cheap.
Yanceman
Solidworks has excellant sheetmetal capabilities. We have tens of thousands of sheet metal files all done in SW. I am not sure how it handles the 2d in but recreating them is extremely easy, you design in formed and it will flatten and adjust the material as you direct for the bends. Once you have your Bend parameters figured out you are all set to roll. We use Bend Radius and K factors, some use other methods. The new version coming out (SW06) has even further enhanced these capabilities.
Fill what's empty. Empty what's full. And scratch where it itches.
Like SW, Pro/ENGINEER has excellent sheetmetal capabilities, but there is no easy way to start working with the solid model capabilities from an imported 2-D file.
Best regards,
Matthew Ian Loew
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.
