Welded Framework Design

[ennjg]

Hi, I hope someone can offer some advice.

I have been putting together a welded framework made up of hollow square section tube. Up until now I've used the 'sweep along guide' function to produce straight and bent tubes, but can't help feeling there must be a better way. I have never used the mechanical routing function - would that be suitable?

My bent tubes have a constant profile rather than being collapsed at the bend as in real life. Has anyone else found a good way of doing this? Is there a better way?

Thanks in advance.

 

[hudson888]

I tend to extrude tubes when they're straight, and model based on the profile which I then hollow to size as required. What version of NX are you using? If necessary I'll make a small example.


Best Regards

Hudson

www.jamb.com.au

Nil Desperandum illegitimi non carborundum

 

[ennjg]

Thanks hudson, that seems to work fine.

I wondered if there was a way to model straight tubes and 'form' them into a bent formation. This way it would be possible to define stock(as in the sheet metal application) for the manufacturer.

P.S. I'm using NX7.

Thanks again.

 

[hudson888]

It may be theoretically possible to treat the tube as sheet metal if you only have pure radius bends in the profile and you know the bend allowance formula for each different tube section that you use.

Best Regards

Hudson

www.jamb.com.au

Nil Desperandum illegitimi non carborundum