Flat Pattern include sketch for laser engravement

[Bart1992]

I have some trouble with including sketches on my flat pattern which is needed for laser engravement. I added the curves by using the additional curves command in the flat pattern option dialog however they are not shown in the flat pattern, could the funnel shape be the problem? See attachment for info, the text and blue sketches need to be engraved.



Siemenx NX8 - Teamcenter 8.5 Windows 7

 

[thomaskoer]

Adding sketches in flat pattern is not very stable from my experiences. But I observe it's getting better and better from NX version to NX version.
I believe in your example (sorry, a screenshot does not tell everything) not the shape is the issue, but the sketch. We do (or try) to do use Flat Pattern of Sketches, but seen issues e.g. when a sketch line is directly on a tangent line, when sketch lines are interfering each other etc.
I made a small test with a Lofted Flange between two half circles (sheet is conical) and a 3D line on Surface, the line is visible in the Flat Pattern. So maybe - it's not the shape.
I don't understand, if it's intended to FP the circles - which look they are closed outside the solid and also then outside of the FP.
Just try step by step and with try and error to add single curves.
What us helps (but we "only" use sketches on flat tabs/webs) is to do small thickness changes with Extrudes, in your case e.g. for the Texts. It's not nice, but it works.
Another thing you can do is: Instead of the FP with sketches do a Flat Solid, you "paint" your sketches on the FS and do a FP with additional curvers from the FS.

 

[frankbe]

Try following work-flow:
Go to the sheet metal part that needs these engravings.
-Insert
-Curve from Curves
-Project...
With this extra step you are 100% sure that the lines will be ON the surface of the part that needs flattening.
Try avoiding lines that cross each other. In cases where a crossing is inevitable manually split up the curves.

2x NX8.5.3.3 and NX9.0.1.3 Mach Design
on win7 64bit
NX Beta Tester
1x Solid Edge ST2

 

[Bart1992]

Thanks for responce,
I got it working now after running the suggested work-flow of Frankbe. But it's not stable, perticulair(projected on surface) text pieces are making the flat pattern go crazy.


Siemenx NX8 - Teamcenter 8.5 Windows 7

 

[frankbe]

Try to find a less complex truetype font. By less complex I mean "containing less splines" That could make the projection less troublesome.
Glad I could help.

2x NX8.5.3.3 and NX9.0.1.3 Mach Design
on win7 64bit
NX Beta Tester
1x Solid Edge ST2