Wrapping a skeleton in Solidworks?

[gunnykiln]

Suppose you had an airplane wing skeleton (spars and ribs) modeled in solidworks and also physically in wood.

Also suppose that just like physical model the solidworks model ribs cross section did not line up perfectly (so a rib to rib loft probably wouldn't work).

What are some ways to go about simulating "wrapping" the solidworks model with a virtual skin (sheet metal or wood sheet) in solidworks so that later the sheet could be "unwrapped" and properly dimensioned as a flat sheet?

The idea is that the physical sheet could cut be cut to correct size and shape then wrapped around the wing.

2. If you don't know of a way to do this directly how would you simply skin the wing (and later fuselage) without worrying about "unwrapping" it?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

I doubt that you will be able to flatten many parts of a wings surface. The sheet would need to be formed in multiple directions which would involve plastic deformation (stretching and thinning) of the sheet. Something which SW (and most other solids programs) are very weak on.

Without seeing exactly what you are working with, I imagine lofted surfaces or surface fills (both with guidelines) would be the way to go.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Forgot to include a link

http://mountain-wave.blogspot.com/2006/04/lofting-boat-hull.html