I have a Solid works part with a large radius and I cant convert it to a sheet metal part... Is there a better way?
See attached.
I have a Solid works part with a large radius and I cant convert it to a sheet metal part... Is there a better way?
See attached.
Use "Convert to Sheet Metal"
If you don't have a planar face, build a dummy one and after conversion cut it.
Yeah I tried that but it doesnt want to convert the large radius sides to sheet metal - it just deletes them??
Could you please send me the file like a IGES, because the already attached is newer vesion. I'm with SW2014
here is the IGES file. I have tried a few different methods none of them are working at the moment. this one I did a 2D sketch and extruded it then was attempting to apply the sheet metal conversion using the flat face as the base face.
So,
First is better to add rads to edges where bends have to be.
and second and more important is, that cutouts are not normal to face which stops SW to convert it to sheet metal.
Can't use a spline with sheetmetal.
I created using a base flange.
ah ok thank you. What if the bends are not exact radius curvature? Is there a way to still convert it to sheet metal?
Short answer, no.
Bear in mind Solidworks sheet-metal functionality is based on conventional press brakes.
By default that means true radius.
In my example I used 2 arcs to approximate the shape.
You can use as many arcs as necessary.
I guess it really comes down to how the part is intended to function in real life.
How critical is the final shape.
Then the problem comes in with how to get that shape using existing tooling or having a special die(s) made.
Ideally you only want a single arc.
Now if I do the same how can I make cuts in the flattened part so that when it is bent up the cuts are also present?? Every time I try them all the finished cuts disappear.
use "Unfold", then cut, then "Fold"
Thx Ken. It is working now... I was trying the 'flatten' tool...
Many Thanks!
Hi Ryan,, Just wanted to let you know that there are cases that splines can be used in sheet metal features. The way Kenneth did this is how I would have done it but for future reference you can use splines with a loft feature where irregular bends are needed (we make our own brake tooling for these types of bends). I have attached a file in which I used your sketch (with splines) and did a loft. I also put the cuts in between an unfold and fold and matched that up to your non normal cuts. Your original is in this file just hidden. You can unhide it and see that things line up.
thx Dennis. That is useful know.
Can't use a spline with sheetmetal.
I created using a base flange.