Folded - Unfolded sheetmetal features

Can someone please help! Here is a description of what i'm doing and
my problem.

I start by drawing a arc, and sheet metal extrude. I am now left with
the sheet which is manufactured by rolling. I am trying to use the
flattened pattern to produce numerious holes along the face. This
works fine untill I unfold it again, losing all the holes. I then
tried to use the folded model to sketch the holes, but it would not
let me select the surface to sketch (don't forget its a full curve)


This is starting to reallly annoy me, can anyone help!!!! Please!!!

Thanks

 

I think what you want to do is, use the "Unfold" command to flatten the
rolled piece. Then add your holes, cutouts, etc. When your done with that,
use the "Fold" command to form the piece back up. If you try to do it your
way, using the flattened pattern, anything added will be suppressed when you
form it back up. That's why you need to use the "Unfold" & "Fold" commands.

Richard

 

WOW!
When I first read this, this morning, I had no idea that I would actually
need to use it this afternoon.

Thanks, Richard,
Muggs

 

Hi Nigel -

It looks like you have gotten some good tips already, but it is
noteworthy to mention that "flat features" can be implemented
generally in two ways, based on the sheet metal modeling method that
one chose.

When using the BaseFlange method, one must add the UnFold-Cut(or
Extrude)-Fold combination to obtain a flat feature.

When using the InsertBends method, one may use the above method if
needed, but may also put the Cut(or Extrude) feature between the
Flatten-Bends & Process-Bends features. These act as a "natural"
unfold-fold container.

Given the choice, I dramatically prefer the latter modeling method
(InsertBends) as it give the best versatility on the methods one might
use to model a viable part. Both work nicely though.

You might benefit from seeing these models:

http://www.sheetmetaldesign.com/Cad-SolidWorks/Example5-FeaturesInTheFlat.zip
http://www.sheetmetaldesign.com/Cad-SolidWorks/Example11-Overlap-Round.zip


Regards,

SMA

 

WOW! What a welth of information.
Great website!

Thanks Nigel,
Muggs

 

Yes, for all you teachers out there. I missed the "a".

Muggs

 

thanks