the main problem is that when I try to flatten it because i
wan the blank sheet length. but I think the problem is that the
main sketch is not a single line or curve it's from 3 arcs and 1
line and the arcs have different Curvature. I think i have to
change the bend allowance to K-Factor or try to model it from the
beginning with another way
Attached is a zip files with an example on how to do the central
part on sheet metal. The part have the folded and "flat" state
(just selet the dependent configuration to see the Flat State).
Take a look on how the part is created, as you see it is very easy
and simple, also take a look at the equations screen and them look
into the custom properties to see all the information there, whihc
includes blank size, weight, cost, manufacturing burden, etc. which
can be ahndy to create BOM's, cutting lists. data for the MRP
system, etc.
We manufacture centrifugal fans for HVAC and we do this every
day....
On the side parts you will need a way to assembly the 3 parts
toguether (a flange that need to be formed when the part is
fabricating by stamping).
M. G. Martinez
Thank you so much for help. this is a very good work
but about mounting the sides to the housing. we use hems to attach
both sides with the housing. I just created a sweep a the one side
of the casing just to show it.
this is the main problem is that you can't add the him to the
housing. because in the end i want to get the wright flat
pattern
We do the hems on the side plates (since those are stamped) and the
hems are formet by stamping, then they are pressed and spot welded
to the housing.
If you need to do the hems on the housing then to model that part
as sheet metal will be extremelly dificult (is possible, but
complex) to do that you use a double fold process, first you model
the housing without hems, then you unfold the houising and add the
hems, the fold and unfold state will need to be done diferent that
on a standard part. Now I have to much work (need to finish a
complete design that need to be manufacture next week) but if you
need help let me know and as soon as I have some free time I will
model a sample of the part and post it here.
M. G. Martinez
Thank you so much for your help and support. I tried to model the
hems but it can't be done. It will be nice if you told me how to do
the hems in the unfolded state when you have some free time
I think the best solution to do something like that in SW is
by modeling these kind of part as solid an use one of the sheet
metal partner solution like Logo press to get the flat
pattern.
Well... Bends-over-Bends can be done with a little trick...
Attached is a zip file (compressed with WinRAR to Zip format)
containing a sample of the Fan Housing with the central part
modeled as Sheet metal including the hems.
Open the assembly you will see the entire Fan Housing including
central section and side covers, you will see that the central
section have the following Configurations:
01 - With Side Hems Formed
- Derived Configuration >>> SM-FLAT-PATTERN
02- Fully Formed Part
If you select the first configuration you can see the flat part
with hems, the derived configuration will show the flat pattern and
the last configuration will show the fully formed part (rolled
after forming the hems).
As you will se to do this part is tricky, but you do not need any
"special software", There are only a few things that SolidWorks can
not do (if you know how to use it), another issue are the bugs...
for some reasons when I change the dimensions of the model (by
editing dimensions of the the two skeleton sketches placed at the
assembly level) the ecuations change the name of the assembly to
the file name of one of my files (realy weird, since I do nto work
with that particular assembly in over six months), maybe this do
not happen to you... I believe is someting on the templates...
The zip file also includes a copy of the forming tool I used to
form the air inlet on the side cover of the housing.
Very fantastic work!
but in the assembly equation that calculates the unbend length. why
did you subtract the thickness from the housing bend
radius-03?
The material thickness is deducted from the "housing_B-Radius-03"
to calculate the unbed length because that dimension on the sketch
corresponds to the "outside" radius of the bend, while on the
formula you need to use the "inside" beding radius, so rather that
to add another entity to the sketch and enter the inside B-Radius
dimension I calculate it inside the unbend length of the blank
formula. However, you can construct the profile sketch in another
way and then use the dimension directly (if it is the inside
B-Radius).
As you can see you can do sheet metal without using sheet metal
functions (we used to to do a lot of sheet metal before CAD
applications have SM functions, even before CAD tools where
abailable.
M. G. Martinez-Saez
Dir. of Engineering, New Product Development and R&D
IMSA Group
Monterrey, Mexico.
Attachments
Steve
Attached is a zip files with an example on how to do the central part on sheet metal. The part have the folded and "flat" state (just selet the dependent configuration to see the Flat State).
Take a look on how the part is created, as you see it is very easy and simple, also take a look at the equations screen and them look into the custom properties to see all the information there, whihc includes blank size, weight, cost, manufacturing burden, etc. which can be ahndy to create BOM's, cutting lists. data for the MRP system, etc.
We manufacture centrifugal fans for HVAC and we do this every day....
On the side parts you will need a way to assembly the 3 parts toguether (a flange that need to be formed when the part is fabricating by stamping).
Hope this will be of use to you.
Attachments
Thank you so much for help. this is a very good work
but about mounting the sides to the housing. we use hems to attach both sides with the housing. I just created a sweep a the one side of the casing just to show it.
this is the main problem is that you can't add the him to the housing. because in the end i want to get the wright flat pattern
Attachments
We do the hems on the side plates (since those are stamped) and the hems are formet by stamping, then they are pressed and spot welded to the housing.
If you need to do the hems on the housing then to model that part as sheet metal will be extremelly dificult (is possible, but complex) to do that you use a double fold process, first you model the housing without hems, then you unfold the houising and add the hems, the fold and unfold state will need to be done diferent that on a standard part. Now I have to much work (need to finish a complete design that need to be manufacture next week) but if you need help let me know and as soon as I have some free time I will model a sample of the part and post it here.
Thank you so much for your help and support. I tried to model the hems but it can't be done. It will be nice if you told me how to do the hems in the unfolded state when you have some free time
Steve
Well... Bends-over-Bends can be done with a little trick...
Attached is a zip file (compressed with WinRAR to Zip format) containing a sample of the Fan Housing with the central part modeled as Sheet metal including the hems.
Open the assembly you will see the entire Fan Housing including central section and side covers, you will see that the central section have the following Configurations:
01 - With Side Hems Formed
- Derived Configuration >>> SM-FLAT-PATTERN
02- Fully Formed Part
If you select the first configuration you can see the flat part with hems, the derived configuration will show the flat pattern and the last configuration will show the fully formed part (rolled after forming the hems).
As you will se to do this part is tricky, but you do not need any "special software", There are only a few things that SolidWorks can not do (if you know how to use it), another issue are the bugs... for some reasons when I change the dimensions of the model (by editing dimensions of the the two skeleton sketches placed at the assembly level) the ecuations change the name of the assembly to the file name of one of my files (realy weird, since I do nto work with that particular assembly in over six months), maybe this do not happen to you... I believe is someting on the templates...
The zip file also includes a copy of the forming tool I used to form the air inlet on the side cover of the housing.
Have fun!
Attachments
but in the assembly equation that calculates the unbend length. why did you subtract the thickness from the housing bend radius-03?
The material thickness is deducted from the "housing_B-Radius-03" to calculate the unbed length because that dimension on the sketch corresponds to the "outside" radius of the bend, while on the formula you need to use the "inside" beding radius, so rather that to add another entity to the sketch and enter the inside B-Radius dimension I calculate it inside the unbend length of the blank formula. However, you can construct the profile sketch in another way and then use the dimension directly (if it is the inside B-Radius).
As you can see you can do sheet metal without using sheet metal functions (we used to to do a lot of sheet metal before CAD applications have SM functions, even before CAD tools where abailable.
M. G. Martinez-Saez
Dir. of Engineering, New Product Development and R&D
IMSA Group
Monterrey, Mexico.