I have received this as a customer part. It is in .Iges form. I was under the impression that Solidworks could convert this to sheet metal and flatten it. I am running 2016 Standard. This part will not be bent on a brake it will be formed. I tried Featureworks and I tried just converting it to a sheet metal part. I would appreciate any input on this.
Hello Grace,
You can use "Swept Flange" to make flanges, but still can't flatten the two complex flanges.
Is that because SW can't add extra material needed to create this in a flat pattern?
SolidWorks can calculate some simple plastic deformation, but tath's all.
For complex forms, there is a third party software like - Logopress
Hi Grace,
we do have a tool to flatten surfaces. You will find it under Insert -> Surface -> Flatten. With it, you can unfold the imported surface:
However you have to be aware that this tool does not take any k-factor or other developed length calculation method into account. So you would have to offset the original surface in order to define the intended "neutral fiber". On the upside you can inspect the developed surface for areas where the material gets stressed respectively compressed.
Hope this helps.
Frank Ruepp
SOLIDWORKS Product Definition Team
Frank,
When I follow your directions Insert -> Surface -> Flatten. "Flatten" is grayed out.
The reason that is grayed out is you are using "Standard". It (for some odd reason) is only available in "Premium". I don't think that flat pattern is going to get you where you want anyway. I am by no means an expert on this type of tooling but the tools I have made in the past to do similar forms would trap the base material prior to wiping the jogged and radiused flanges allowing for only a minimal stretching or compression of the material in that area. The blank that Frank shows (I did that on my system also - same shape) would need the material to compress substantially for this shape to end up as your model. It sure would be nice to get an expert tool and die makers opinion on this. Maybe someone will chime in. I'm thinking that no matter what the part would have to be trimmed after forming. The jogged flange can and is frequently done with modified conventional brake tooling. If I remember correctly the part is .080 thick and I'm assuming -0 aluminum probably going to be treated to -6 or so. This type of jog is done frequently in aerospace parts in a brake but I have always had to do this by trial and error to determine the correct blank shape.
That's funny and poor development at the same time. If it is not available I should never see it.
Dennis you are correct I have worked with a company that joggles extrusions all the time with a break and hot block. I was hoping to cut out some time with getting a good flat pattern to start with on this.
Hi Grace,
yes, Dennis is right. Flatten Surfaces is only available in SOLIDWORKS Premium.
With regards to why you can see the feature even though you cannot use it: From the very beginning there is the user paradigm in SOLIDWORKS that features that cannot be applied because of any missing prerequisites are displayed in the feature list but are grayed out. Quick example would be to open a new, empty part file and toggle to the Features Command Manager Tab. You will see that most of the features are grayed out. I.e. Sweep would require at least one sketch and if there is no sketch available, the feature is grayed out. Means that you will have to investigate what the prerequisites would be in order to be able to apply the feature. On the one hand it can be very helpful to know that there is a possible solution to your problem (personally I think it is better to see the feature rather than not being aware of the feature at all), on the other hand it can be tedious to investigate why you are not able to apply that feature. So still room for improvement...
Kind regards
Frank
SOLIDWORKS Product Definition Team
Frank,
How about a dialog box that pops up if hovered over or clicked on? It would be as simple as premium feature.
Hi Grace,
yes, this could be possible solution to make it easier to understand a feature's requirement. As I said, there is still room for improvement...
Kind regards
Frank
SOLIDWORKS Product Definition Team
Hello Grace,
This part looks complex to be converted to flatten sheet metal part straightway. Lets wait for some experts to give some ideas.
Thanks
Shiv