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Solidworks inserting bend

Solidworks inserting bend

Solidworks inserting bend

(OP)
HI,

I'm currently designing a spaceframe chassis and need to unwrap each beam element to see how it needs to be cut to intersect properly. At the moment i have one, individual pipe and need to unwrap it (unrolling it to a single sheet of metal to clarify). I have given it sheet metal properties and am trying to insert a bend although apparently it can't flatten it. Any information on how to do this (in clear steps!) would be greatly appreciated.

RE: Solidworks inserting bend

Have you thought about doing this with Weldments?

RE: Solidworks inserting bend

(OP)
it has all been done in weldments to a desired profile

RE: Solidworks inserting bend

Good. You will have to take a small cut out of this structual member. Then use this to create an open contour circular sketch. You can then use this sketch to create a base flange and use up to surface end conditions. Read up in help on Creating Sheet Metal Parts with Cylindrical Faces.

RFUS

RE: Solidworks inserting bend

(OP)
sorry if this seems stupid i just seem to be getting no where. I've created the base-flange selecting the outer diameter of the tube (once the nick has been cut out) and have tried to insert a bend however it can't find any bend and hence wont let me unroll it! I've looked through all the help files but i cant seem to get it spot-on for this example. Is inserting a bend the corect thing to do? or is there anything else you could recommend? Many thanks

RE: Solidworks inserting bend

I would post a mooload file but I can't here.

It is important where you make this first cut. See how this pipe folds out differently based on the placement of the first cut.


create a plane near the middle of your pipe. select the outer edge of the structual member after making the cut. Now, while still in the open profile sketch, go to insert -> sheet metal -> base flange...

This sketch will now show up as a yellow preview extrusion. Set the sheet metal parameters to the same thickness as the pipe thickness. In direction set the end condition to up to surface. Select the end of your pipe. Note: you may not be able to go both ways due geometry of each end. there are ways around this....

you should now have this:
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/8809/bf3bi7.jpg

and unsupressing the flat pattern feature will do the trick.

RFUS

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