Normal to cut in sheet metal (SolidWorks 2009) 1

[vtmike]

Hi,

I have a sheet metal hollow tube with a laser cut through it as shown in attached image. When I try to perform a normal cut through this tube, I get a rebuild error stating that a "normal cut cannot be performed". Anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions on how I can fix this?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[vtmike]

Here is another view to get a better idea of the cut.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

You state it is a Sheet Metal tube, yet I see no join line.

Are you able to Flatten or Unfold the part?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

BTW, I have no problem using the Normal Cut option.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

When creating a tube as a SM part, a small gap has to exist in the sketch circle so that the part can be flattened (unwrapped). I believe what you have done is extrude a pair of sketched circles to create a tube in the SM mode. However, by doing that, SolidWorks is regarding the length of the tube as the thickness of the material.

When I do the above, I get the same error message as you.

Do you actually need the tube to be a SM part? i.e. Are you starting with a flat sheet or a tube?

 

[vtmike]

CorBlimeyLimey,

When I modelled the part with a cut in it & extruded it using the thickness function it worked. It did not work when I modelled the thickess and the cut as part of the sketch. Thatnks for your tip!