All,
I have been trying to figure this out for a while but due to my lack of experience using the sheet metal tools, I can't make this work. I can do it as a simple revolved sketch, but for more complex parts I need it done is as a sheet metal prt. What I want is a cylinder/tube that has one end broke in like shown in the image I attached. I do not know if I need to treat it like a flange, or what? I can provide more information if this is too vague.
thank you
To truly form out of sheet metal, wouldn't you need relief notches every so often around the diameter? How many "sections" can it be broken into?
The best way to do this would be with a swept flange. Keep in mind that the flat pattern won't necessarily be accurate because this can't really be flattened. It can be fabricated, though.
Also, I don't think sheet metal tools are going to allow you to close the cylinder. You will need a gap somewhere. So if you really want the whole cylinder, I think you are stuck with solids.
Yes, Mike is right. Sheet metal won't let you create a 360° sheet metal body. There has to be a gap somewhere. But you still could use configurations where you would create a 180° portion and based on that you could have different configurations that are shown on the drawing. Like you could mirror the formed body in one configuration and the flattened body in another configuration that are displayed on the drawing. Since these configurations are based on the actual sheet metal body they should update based on a design change.
Kind regards
Frank
SOLIDWORKS Product Definition Team
Hi Frank,
I will look into doing that. All of this has been really helpful.
Thank you,
Andrew
Thank you for the input, Mike, We do fabricate some of these with a lot of success. We are switching over from old AutoCAD seat to SOLIDWORKS so that is what brought this subject matter up. This will probably be enough to get me by.
Much thanks for your help,
Andrew
The best way to do this would be with a swept flange. Keep in mind that the flat pattern won't necessarily be accurate because this can't really be flattened. It can be fabricated, though.