9 Replies Latest reply on Nov 11, 2011 4:28 AM by Greg Hynd

Creating a metal tube

Luke Harris Nov 4, 2011 12:45 PM

Hey guys. i am currently in the process of trying to produce a curvy metal tube, that would essentially be bent fro one tube of metal.

As i am such an amatuer on solidworks i am finding it rather difficult to figure out the best way to go about this? if you take a look at

the image below you will see how i have formed the general guide of the structure by joining sketches on various different planes. Obviously

the outcome i desire is for the joints (e.g. the one at the bottom left) to be consistently curvy (thus representing a bent tube). Obviously as i have joined the sketches from

different planes i cannot add a radious. What is the best way to achieve a curvy tube?

Thanks in advance

Luke

Re: Creating a metal tube

Kelvin Lamport Nov 4, 2011 12:50 PM (in response to Luke Harris)

Start a 3D sketch and use the Convert Entities tool to populate the 2D sketch elements into the 3D sketch. Then you will be able to apply fillets to the sharp corners.
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Re: Creating a metal tube

Luke Harris Nov 4, 2011 12:59 PM (in response to Luke Harris)

wicked! how do i start a 3d sketch and where will i find the 'convert entities too'?
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- Re: Creating a metal tube
  
  Kelvin Lamport Nov 4, 2011 1:06 PM (in response to Luke Harris)
  
  Try looking in the Help file for 3D Sketch and Convert Entities.
  
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Re: Creating a metal tube

Luke Harris Nov 4, 2011 1:12 PM (in response to Luke Harris)

sorry im having great difficulty. scratching my head here! im a dunce when it comes to this stuff.
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- Re: Creating a metal tube
  
  Ryan Werner Nov 4, 2011 1:26 PM (in response to Luke Harris)
  
  Here are some screen shots. Once you are in the 3DSketch just select the pieces of your other sketches and hit the Convert Entities button.
  
  Ryan W.
  
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  - Re: Creating a metal tube
    
    Luke Harris Nov 5, 2011 12:54 PM (in response to Ryan Werner)
    
    resuuuuuuuult! cheers super hero.
    
    Luke
    
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    - Re: Creating a metal tube
      
      Alejandro Gutierrez Nov 5, 2011 3:08 PM (in response to Luke Harris)
      
      Luke if you want to send a file how to made a pipe tube with 3 o more points
      
      ( i work in a company where i made a lot o pipe bend )
      
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Re: Creating a metal tube

Luke Harris Nov 11, 2011 4:16 AM (in response to Luke Harris)

Cheers for the offer Alejandro but i seem to have resolved the issue!

Thanks again all,
Luke
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- Re: Creating a metal tube
  
  Greg Hynd Nov 11, 2011 4:28 AM (in response to Luke Harris)
  
  Luke, I do a lot of pipes like thiss too, what I do is creater the path using construction sketch's, then draw over them all again with the 3D sketch tool. I can then add radius to all the corners and then use weldments to create the tube.
  
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