Indent Features
Indent Features
(OP)
I am trying to design ribs for a sheet metal piece. I would like to have the sheet metal stamped out when it is flat then formed. Does anyone know how to simulate that in SW. I am also trying to do indent features and can successfully do it when the shape is a square, but when I change the shape to a different polygon SW says it cannot handle the case.
Any help would be nice.
Any help would be nice.






RE: Indent Features
You can copy a rib from there and modify to suit.
If you haven't used the forming tools before, you will need to RMB on the folder and select Forming Tools Folder. This allows SW to recognise the contents of the folder as forming tools?????
RE: Indent Features
I know how to make all kinds of mistakes, including this one.
RE: Indent Features
I'm curious as to why you consider that a mistake? I have often done this. If a part is being punched out on a CNC turret press, it makes sense to do as much as possible of the punching and forming prior to bending. Oftentimes the bending makes subsequent punching/forming impossible.
RE: Indent Features
Should be no problem trying to simulate the forming and stamping of a sheet metal part. Doing this would make the workers job easier.
RE: Indent Features
"Art without engineering is dreaming; Engineering without art is calculating."
Have you read FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Indent Features
I think we have some different interpretations of what you are trying to do. Perhaps some images or sketches would help to clarify.
RE: Indent Features
Processes can change many times over the life of a part. Machines are replaced; vendors go out of business. The design still needs to work.
Picture something as simple as a U- or L-shaped bracket where positions of holes on one flange need to be controlled w.r.t. holes on another flange. Simple change to a bend radius or K-factor (material change!) results in the need to adjust dimensions controlling hole positions in order to maintain their final design positions.
Whose job are you making easier? You may save a manufacturing engineer a few minutes. Meanwhile, you are doing manufacturing engineering's work (and now they expect it) while the design work and ECN's are piling up. It is counterproductive use a CAD model to do the work of a process drawing or work instruction.
If you still waznt to do it this way, fine. I'm paid by the hour. More $$$ for me.