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Trying to Convert to sheet Metal Successfully
2

Trying to Convert to sheet Metal Successfully

Trying to Convert to sheet Metal Successfully

(OP)
Hi all,

I have been trying to convert this product into sheet metal successfully but have not achieved my goal yet. Solidworks converts it to sheet metal but I cannot preview the flat pattern as it says there a parts within your model which cannot be unbent.

Can any one help.

Iges attached.  

RE: Trying to Convert to sheet Metal Successfully

I see a problem with the little tab with the round hole because it is located on a large radius bend.  

if you could change the geometry so that the tab came off of the flat, it may work better.

RE: Trying to Convert to sheet Metal Successfully

(OP)
Thanks for the feedback.


applejack2, the tab exists in other products previously designed and the forming has not been an issue...........but it also has not been a walk in the park when it comes to converting either in the past.

Rollupswx, I made some adjustments so there are no interferences but you maybe correct about stretching of the material as that maybe causing solidworks not to recognize the bending. After converting and suppressing the inner forming, the product can be flattened.

Can you shed some light on how you were able to convert in flat in the jpeg you previously attached?

I have revised the iges and reattached the file.


 

RE: Trying to Convert to sheet Metal Successfully

Quote:

Can you shed some light on how you were able to convert in flat in the jpeg you previously attached?

Autodesk Inventor

RE: Trying to Convert to sheet Metal Successfully

(OP)
So i revised the part to confirm there were no interferences anymore. I converted the large radius from the side profile into straight lines so the product doesn't need to stretch at all.

I completed half the model with out the tab and was successful to convert it to sheet metal and flattened it. I suppressed the flatten feature and then added an edge flange to produce the required tab and the product was then unable to flatten. On top of that with or without the tab, once the solid body is mirrored it is unable to flatten for some odd reason.

I recently did a model and completed half the body, converted to sheet metal and mirrored it and it was successful to flatten while this model is not.

I suppose solidworks doesn't agree with having a radius tab within a radius but the mirrored body part is perplexing.

Thanks ahead for any help that follows.
 

RE: Trying to Convert to sheet Metal Successfully

(OP)
The links you made are not working.

Can you double check the links, if possible have them available in solidworks 2009 or 2010 or just iges?

RE: Trying to Convert to sheet Metal Successfully

Apple,

Nope they aren't working for me neither I'm afraid.

Certified SolidWorks Professional

RE: Trying to Convert to sheet Metal Successfully

AJ2...
None of your links are downloading. links from others work fine???

RE: Trying to Convert to sheet Metal Successfully

CBL,

I found your email address (@lycos) on another post.  If I email you the file, can you upload it for me?

applejack

RE: Trying to Convert to sheet Metal Successfully

Sure, give a try.

RE: Trying to Convert to sheet Metal Successfully

(OP)
Thanks for all the help so far, but once i adjust my revolve cut to what I need it to be it can not flatten. One way i will try is to have two files, one of the solid and then other flat where i will have to manually add the pattern/sketch lines. So basically I will achieve what I want but not as automatic as Solidworks would make it. Tricky but can be done.

Attached is the end result and the product in use.

RE: Trying to Convert to sheet Metal Successfully

from what I've seen, solidworks doesn't like tricky cuts intersecting with sheet metal bends.  In more industrial application, I try to keep a straight section 3x material thickness on each side of the bend.

neat application though, I would have never guessed that's how the part would be used.

 

RE: Trying to Convert to sheet Metal Successfully

... in one of the screen shots, it looked like the "unbent" version of the part actually created an overlap. The center piece cut and formed out was larger than the actual hole it would have been cut and formed from... hence, the problem. Not physically possible.

So, it seems like SolidWorks is smart enough to catch something that isn't physically possible, rather than just being inept and creating a flat pattern which can't be manufactured in real life.

Try adjusting your center cut / form so that the material moved takes up the same or less footprint as the hole it was removed from.

Maybe someone else already caught this oversight... if so, sorry for being a troll!

Thanks!

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