BEND FROM EXTRUDED IN SHEET METAL - NX7.5 4

[CAD2015]

Hi,

I've just found out that I can't apply Bend option to an Extruded created solid in Sheet Metal.
I do have a logical explanation of why using Extruded, instead of Tab:
I want te reduce the number of using an additional operation (Cut, Slot, etc) for the final profile I want to create.
I have the feeling that a good designer should create a part using as less feature as possbile.
So, why Extrude option in Sheet Metal, does not accept a bend operation?

Thanks

 

[jerry1423]

So why is it important to you to have as few features as possible?
That is a very simple part, and adding a feature or two won't hurt anything.
You seem to be making a mountain out of a molehill here.

 

[CAD2015]

Hi Jerry1423,

The attached part was just an example.
The job that inspired me for my inguire is much more complex!
But thanks a lot for considerating my request!

 

[jnikolauk]

in NX Sheet Metal Insert->Convert->Convert to sheet metal

then it should work convoluted? yes. Annoying? yes. but that's the way it's done now.

 

[Toost]

Well, you have to convince the Sheet Metal application that the extrusion is Sheet metal first,
- then you can bend it.
There is no difference between extrusions created in Modeling and Sheet metal, both have to be converted to Sheet Metal.

Regards,
Tomas

 

[jerry1423]

I think the best that you can do is have one sketch for the "tab" and another sketch for all the other features.
You may want to create the flat pattern and then bend it from there.

 

[jnikolauk]

Toost

Why does it need convincing? is it insecure? why must it think it's sheet metal it's not the only material that bends. nor is sheet metal the only aplication for such bends.

 

[jnikolauk]

I wonder what changed between NX4 and NX 7.5 (I didn't have a need to bend something retween the two) that suddenly requires conversion.

 

[Toost]

I don't know all details but, Part of the "convert to sheet metal" is to check if the extrusion has an uniform thickness, consider the case where you extrude the side profile instead of what the "Tab" creates. - in your part, bent state, the extrusion could have been the L-shape, and if the bend surfaces would not have a common center the "convert to SM" would fail and state that.
-I have seen a few imported parts that were non-uniform thickness and therefore could not be flattened.

( -I wrote the word "convince" as a joke..

I don't think that you could use other bodies than those that had been created in the Sheet metal Application in NX4, - if you didn't use the old Unigraphics Sheet Metal features, then you probably could bend/ unbend.
The current SM application was introduced in NX3.

Regards,
Tomas

 

[CAD2015]

I thought (hopped) that Extrude in Sheet Metal would share all the Sheet Metal benefits, including bend/unbend, form/unform, flatting option.......
In my opinion, it should!
Thanks all for your reflection on my topic!

 

[jnikolauk]

And I took that joke and ran with it. (while being a bit of an ass) I used the sheetmetal bend (I belive it was originally a modeling add-on rather than it's own module back then) to bend a flex circut board adound the part it was attaching to.

 

[Toost]

Here's an example of what i am trying to say
- Sorry for that joke, it wasn't meant to fool anybody.

 

[Toost]

Then again it's not the "submit post" button one should press to attach images... ( - it's not the first time i do that.)

 

[JohnRBaker]

That looks like something made by a blacksmith on an anvil with a big hammer ;-)

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

UG/NX Museum:

http://www.plmworld.org/p/cm/ld/fid=209

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[jnikolauk]

Which leads me to another question/insight I have worked with laser welded blanks (two pieces of sheet metal of differing thicknesses and/or other properties) would there be any interest in getting the SM operators to work in those applications?

 

[CAD2015]

I still do not understand why Extrude is included in Sheet Metal..........!
It doesn't even accept Flange in Sheet Metal environment!
Presence of Extrude in Sheet metal doesn't seem to be justified!

 

[JohnRBaker]

I sort of agree and if you think you'd like your people to not get distracted by it being there, it only takes a few key strokes to remove the icon from the toolbar using Customize.

John R. Baker, P.E.
Product 'Evangelist'
Product Engineering Software
Siemens PLM Software Inc.
Industry Sector
Cypress, CA

http://www.siemens.com/plm

UG/NX Museum:

http://www.plmworld.org/p/cm/ld/fid=209

To an Engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

 

[CAD2015]

Thanks!

 

[Toost]

How about this example, ( see image) If that brownish cylinder should fit smoothly, would you drill one or punch four holes ? (extrude / normal cutout ?)

Regards, / Tomas

 

[Toost]

Oops, sorry, i missed the point here, the motivation to keep the extrude in the Sheet Metal app is probably better visible in the next picture, The left hole is extruded and the right is a Normal cutout, now since the hole overlaps the bend, it will deform as if it would have been cylindrical before being bent, while the extruded hole keeps it's shape as if been drilled in the bent state. ( Note that a normal cutout added in a flat state doesn't help, you would need to define a non-round hole to make it cylindrical in bent state.)
Regards,
Tomas