SolidWorks for carton/package design

Have any of you sucessfully used SolidWorks for carton design, package design,
or any type of cardboard folding/unfolding? We're considering using it for
that among other things, and I'd like to hear how it works for that. I'd
use the sheetmetal tools, of course, but there are some differences from
sheetmetal design that may or may not be difficult to do. Let me
know...thanks!

Brian

 

Brian, since nobody has answered your query I'll give you my $.02.
Although I haven't used SolidWorks for carton design I would think that
it would work just fine for that. There could be inconveniences caused
by the sheet metal portion's "Auto-Relief" function, or the built-in
fail-safe that prevents folds that come too close to interfering with
other folds. With a little experimentation and experience you should be
able to do a lot with very little trouble. Turning off "Auto-Relief"
and being just a little careful will get you a long way.

'Sporky'

 

Tripod Data Systems

Brian,

There was a thread on this subject quite a while ago (I'm guessing 99 or
2000, but I'm really bad on dates). You might try the google newsgroup
search to find it. All I can remember about it was that someone suggested
using a K-factor very close to 1, as the inner layers of the cardboard
buckle instead of compressing and the outer layer doesn't stretch much.

Jerry Steiger

 

Brian I have used SW to create packing cartons and die cuts since 1999
without any major problems. As Mike stated, the floating point on the
fixed face is the only small hiccup but you soon get wise to it. I
don't create different sizes of cartons or die cuts via configurations
(mulipart/size configs are a pain in the rear in a Smarteam/PDM
enviroment), For cartons I create a single file with 3 configs,
Developement, Top Open and Top closed, for die cuts it's sometimes 2
configs, development and folded or somtimes it has to be 3 configs
developement, folded and assembled. The cartons are easily modified to
create new sizes, I use save as and then add or subtract on 5 dims to
create the new size carton. I can give you some examples of what I
have done if you wish, send me a email (remove the dot) so we can
arrane delivery.

Cheers

Brian

 

Well I've come pretty close to being successful. The biggest obstacle

Hi Mike - Do you have any models that do this and could you possibly
share them?

I'm simply curious about the phenomonon. It seems that the problem is
that a viable parametric sheet metal box is not possible. This does
seem very "wrong" for a solidworks model.

My interest is piqued. I like and prefer the "old skool" method (it
is superior - my opinion) and I have not observed this "black dot" yet
- perhaps because I have been asleep for the last decade.

Regards,

SMA

 

BTW, I'll offer a soapbox for anyone interested..

http://zxys.com/swparts/soapbox_zxys.zip

...

 

It seems that the problem is that a viable parametric sheet metal

Mike,

I see exactly what you mean. This is shady and should not be falling
apart. Personailly I have used sketched bends only once (maybe twice)
so far.

I have been able to make many boxes that were parametric and did not
fall apart, at least a way exists (model-> sheet metal OR baseflange +
edgeflanges)

Generally I associate bending from a flat sheet with sketched bends
with self flagellation for reasons of mystic ecstacy (grin) - Viva La
Difference! It's too much like "virtual fabrication" - like having to
start all of ones models with a cube and remove material.

As proven by soapbox Paul's example (and yours as well) this CAN work
and does work but as you illustrated it's alot like trying to sprint
while on stilts (you will fall hard eventually).

I vaguely remember seeing this in 1998 and saying "wow, this #%^K&!*
stinks - let's not use this funtion". Shamefully this is still a
problem. That's the stuff that drives users mad - that's the stuff
that needs fixing.

Thanks for showing the problem,

Regards,

SMA

By the way, if I did design packaging, this stuff would serve nicely
for modeling RSCs and many cardboard inserts and would also kick-booty
on multi layer foam. Some tuning & learning required of course.

 

Can I ask why you all seem to start sheetmetal with a flat pattern,
why not design the part bent to the finished parameters and then
unfold to reveal the flat pattern? I have had great success using this
method, the only thing that you have to bare in mind is that no 2
features can touch or overlap. I had intended to put some examples up
on http:\\www.brianlawson.co.uk\sw\ over the weekend but a blown power
supply wrecked my home PC. I should have something up there by 10.00pm
GMT tonight if anybody is interested.

Cheers

Brian

 

Brian,

I agree, I would not normally design sheetmetal parts from the flat.
The soapbox example is only modeled from the flat because I choose to
unfolded the original soapbox carton, scanned it, sketched over it and
folded it. The soapbox was a test part I did years ago.

....looking forward to your examples..

 

Brian,

Most people do it your way most of the time. There are a few times where
starting in the flat and adding bends works much better. The one I am
familiar with is modelling a part, say a flexible printed circuit or a
ribbon cable, where the bends are not perpendicular to the edges of the
part. I don't believe it can be modeled properly without starting in the
flat, at least not without a great deal of tricky work. Works great when you
do it the "right" way, generating the twisted surfaces on the sides
automatically.

Jerry Steiger
Tripod Data Systems

 

Sorry for the delay, have had severe problems getting my home PC
running after a blown power supply (money money money). Some packing
model samples can be downloaded from "www.brianlawson.co.uk". Please
feel free to comment (be nice please).

Cheers
Brian