Sheet metal and non-square sides

I have just done some practice with the sheet metal feature of sw2003 but
have problems mating the sides to other sides/planes where most of the sides
are not square, and the bend angles are not 90deg. Is this a limitation to
the sheet metal feature or just me not understanding? Could someone skilled
please draw an example of a 3 sided pyramid/tetrahedron or similar (maybe
with a flat top) from sheet metal and make it downloadable? A drawing like
that would be a good tutorial for me. Or is this very difficult to do in sw?

 

Sent you one, had to workaround. - 2001+
Will send to anyone interrested.

JM

 

Here are 2 examples of how to create a Sheet metal pyramid. Pyramid2.sldprt
is a more desirable approach since it allows better control of bend factor
and radius.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?M45325D07

Corey Scheich

 

OK that link doesn't work anyone can e-mail me and I will send it to them.
If some one would want to put it up somewhere that anyone who is interested
could get to it that would be nice.

Corey Scheich

 

Hi Morten,

Take a look in help for "LOFTED BENDS". There are some limitations and
I've also seen some strange results, but this is what you are looking
for. The help is adequate on the subject.

Good luck!

 

Dave H I tried to reply to your e-mail and I get and undeliverable message.
So I typed it in ofcourse leaving out *DeleteThis* and no luck. Send me a
link with it and I will try it again.

Corey

 

Hi Morten,

Rest assured that Solidworks is pretty able to do most of what you
need. I think what you might want to use is an "edge-flange" which
will allow you to make any bend up or down at 90 degrees or any other
angle that you specify.

I have made two models that show how these can be used in the
non-square usage(including the pyramid type thing). To investigate
these, use the edit feature and play around with the settings to get a
feel.

http://www.sheetmetaldesign.com/Cad-SolidWorks/Example14-NonSquareFaces.zip

There are many ways to get a non-square flange and which method to use
is based on personal modeling preference and the given need.

Some ideas to try -

1) Edge flanges which can include panel details like holes and
notches.

2) Mitre flange which can include arc profiles as well as lines.

3) Any modeled feature like what solidworks calls a "wall" when you
use the "insert bends" method (converting a model to a sheet metal
part). You may also use extruded profile (like a side view of a
formed edge) when using this method.

4) Construct material inside or outside using surfaces and then
thicken and insert bends.

In any case - keep after it and it will eventually yield to your
efforts. It's really tough to tame at first but it's worth the fight.

Regards-

SMA

 

Since no one suggested it yet, I'll chime in.

I think the easiest way to design a sheet metal pyramid, unless you fancy
working out all the geometry ahead of time, would be something like this...

1) create a block solid of the desired pyramid shape
2) shell the block solid to the desired sheet thickness
3) add rips in between the sides
4) convert to sheet metal, selecting the base as the fixed face

When you need to change the shape of the pyramid, you can simply edit the
block solid. We do this kind of thing all the time and it works real well.
Recently we did a trapezoidal beam that had seven sides and stiffening
flanges around the open face. It hardly had a 90deg bend on it. The vendor
loved that were able to do it from one piece (not)

- Eddy

 

Mail undelivered, your mail address hiding scheme is tougher that I thought.