More sheet metal questions: Cant flat pattern a lofted bend?!?!

[doodman]

Ok so I made these pieces of sheet metal all with lofted bends, all are Gaussian surfaces. I try to flatten and now it says it can't do it. I feel like I've been cheated by SolidWorks! "The part contains features that cannot be unbent." I'm getting pretty frustrated now. Any suggestions?

 

[JMirisola]

Sure, create features that can be flattened...
You need to be more specific about what the shapes are so we can better help you.
While SW may create the loft, it may not be able to flatten it, as you already know. There are sheet metal features that SW will allow you to create that can't be created in real life and vice versa. It's only software, it's not perfect.

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog

Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M

 

[AnnaWood]

doodman,

Post an example file that is not working for you. The folks here will then be able to look at the file and give you suggestions to accomplish what you wish.

Cheers,

Anna Wood
SW 2007 SP4.0, WinXP
Dell Precision 380, Pentium D940, 4 Gigs RAM, FX3450

http://designsmarter.typepad.com/solidmuse

http://www.phxswug.com

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

If this is the mirrored lofted bend part you mentioned in thread559-201111, the chances are you will not be able to flatten it.

You shouldn't feel too "cheated" ... some packages can't even do the lofted bend.