DXF to SolidWorks Sheetmetal Part

[huey1d]

I am importing a .dxf of a sheet metal part into SolidWorks 2005.

I can create a solid of the .dxf, but am having trouble adding bends.

How do I turn the solid into a sheet metals part?

We have a lot of legacy data in .dxf format that will eventually need to be converted to SolidWorks, so any help now will make my job easier in the coming years.

 

[Theophilus]

This will probably depend on how you structure the sheetmetal part. Have you designed sheetmetal parts in SW before?

Make sure your sheetmetal toolbar is shown. Read the help on best practices to create flanges, bends, etc. I recommend reading up on the "thin feature" extrusions, etc. for best results with sheetmetal part generation as well. Pick a standard sheetmetal thickness and stick with it. Check the help--it's usually quite easy after you read the material.


Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reality is no respecter of good intentions.

 

[alexit]

Are you importing a DXF of the flat? If so active the sheetmetal function (is says no bends found) then insert sketched bends. You will have to adjust the bend parameters to match the true part.

If you are importing views and building the solid that way, make sure all walls are the same thickness and use fillets on both sides to put the proper bends in place. Then active the sheetmetal function and it should recognize the bends.

 

[Standing]

huey1d,
I would not recommend importing anything that maybe worked on in the future. We imported models from Pro-E a few years ago to save time. Every time we had to make a change to one of those parts we had nothing but trouble. Now we remodel everything in SolidWorks, unless management is pushing for time. With a drawing in front of use it really does not take long for a fast SolidWorks person.


Bradley

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

I agree with Bradley. It is often quicker to re-create the model from scratch in SW, than to spend valuable time fixing up imported files. Then you know you have an accurate, stable part created using the latest time-saving features of SW.

You don't have to do all the work now ... do it on an as needed basis or during the quiet or slow times.
Of course, if you need some parts done fast, you could contract some work out to an ex-pat from the UK who just happens to have his email address in his profile.


& all the best.

 

[ctopher]

I agree. I have tried importing DXF many times and found it much faster and easier to start from scratch in SW.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 2005 SP0.1