4 Replies Latest reply on Jun 5, 2017 7:15 PM by Jeff Stevens

How do I convert a loft to sheet metal?

Jeff Stevens Jun 3, 2017 1:46 PM

I'm trying to convert a loft into a sheet metal part to be flattened. The part is attached below. Any suggestions? Thought about exporting to a STEP and then bringing it back in but no luck unless I'm missing a step. The project is for a mixer blade. I used loft because I know the beginning and ending location of the part on each plain. Once it's cut out from a flat pattern the part will be for lack of a better term twisted into shape.

VM-10-030125-SHEET METAL.SLDPRT.zip 81.0 KB

Re: How do I convert a loft to sheet metal?

Dennis Bacon Jun 3, 2017 2:03 PM (in response to Jeff Stevens)
Jeff,, You can not convert an existing loft to sheet metal. You can, however do a Lofted Bends from two sketches (3d sketches in this case). I used your geometry from your existing loft and made a couple of 3d sketches then used the sheet metal loft tool. You can hide your body but I wanted to show that they match up.
Edit:.. I added a couple of screenshots.
Flat Pattern
3d sketches

VM-10-030125-SHEET METAL_db.SLDPRT.zip 195.6 KB
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- Re: How do I convert a loft to sheet metal?
  
  Jeff Stevens Jun 5, 2017 6:37 PM (in response to Dennis Bacon)
  
  Dennis,
  Thank you very much. I had tried using 3D sketch but instead of using the just the 2 edges I only used 1 edge and then the part profile. I tried your way and it took literally a minute to make. I'm still in the learning phases of Solidworks, spent the better part of 8 years on Solid Edge and it's a different process to make sheet metal parts.
  
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  - Re: How do I convert a loft to sheet metal?
    
    Bobby Penland Jun 5, 2017 7:12 PM (in response to Jeff Stevens)
    
    I have used SolidEdge previously and I like SolidWorks much better. You may be of similar opinion once you gain more experience.
    
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    - Re: How do I convert a loft to sheet metal?
      
      Jeff Stevens Jun 5, 2017 7:15 PM (in response to Bobby Penland)
      
      I love SE for sheet metal. It was the main reason my previous company used it. I like modeling more in SW though, much smoother.
      
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