Flatten Round Rod in Sheet Metal 1

[DylanR]

I am having a problem making a round rod into a SMT part and being able to flatten it.

I have tried to make the part square and formed how I need it, and then do an Swept Cut to make the square part round. But when I do this the part loses it relations to the bend lines and won't go to a flat pattern anymore.

If anyone knows of any other way to go about making a round formed up rod into a flat piece please let me know.

Thanks!

 

[ctopher]

Does this help?
thread559-109211


Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-05)

 

[Sporkman]

I suspect that your swept cut is losing relations because of the way your original solid is created. Try creating your original (rectangular profile) solid via a sweep. The guide curve for the original sweep can be Converted to be the new guide curve for the sweep cut. BUT since that sweep cut would exist (in the Feature Tree) after creating your sheet metal bends (and without checking to see whether I can actually do it) you may have to (if you are able to) dedicate a separate sweep cut in the flattened state . . . in an Unfold(ed) configuration, not in the Flat Pattern. You'd also have to suppress the original sweep cut and perhaps its sketches (in that Unfolded configuration), since it will probably show as a rebuild error otherwise. You could then show the rod in both bent and unbent states in a drawing. I think.

Mark Stapleton
Watermark Design, LLC
Charlotte, NC

http://www.h2omarkdesign.com

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

A quick workaround is to have two configs.

First config showing the formed rod with the swept cut (four fillet rads could also be used & would be easier).

Second config with the swept cut suppressed. The Flatten function should then work & be applied. To the flattened (now square) rod, add full-fillet rads to re-create the round rod. Use this config for your flat layout. Make sure the rads are suppressed in the firat config.


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[StefanHamminga]

Cor, you were just ahead of me with your post! I made a small sample file (not using sheetmetal though):

http://www.mooload.com/new/file.php?file=files/130606/1150231836/Wire+unfold.SLDPRT

Stefan Hamminga
EngIT Solutions
CSWP/Mechanical designer/AI student

 

[DylanR]

Thanks Cor and Stefan. That did for me. I appreciate the help.

Thanks again!!

Dylan Rohda