Hi All
I have this 3D Object in DWG format from which I would like to create a sheet metal flat pattern for production at our factory.
I imported the DWG file as "3D curves or model" into SW. But from there, I get errors when trying to convert the imported object to sheet metal. After that, I still need to assign bends and unfold it to create the flat pattern. Can anyone give me some general advice on how to get started?
need to get rid of fillets and add rips and relief's
got a lot of welding to do.
the octagon is not symmetrical.
see centerline point sketch in the attachment.
had it been symmetrical i would have added all the surfaces to knit (8 wings) which would have resulted in a complete flat-pattern. as it stands i have 1/8 of a flat-pattern. ;/
also the thickness is at 2.5mm.
need to trim the vertices for increased bend relief for it to be 3mm.
this gives an idea to one approach
if you create the surfaces in solidworks, versus imported solid, you will have more control.
Thanks for your answer, Kenneth!
I can imagine if the object were sketched in SW that many unwanted lines and edges could be omitted straight away.
hei'ya Scott, see att.prt file
offset a "0" surface, inside of dish
hide original import,
convert to sheet metal - convert-Solid1 - base as centre piece-
2nd convert to sheet metal - convert-Solid2 - side panels
bend/split as you wish to produce
hope this helps- have a good'n kelef
edit: see dish-one-piece-klf,sldprt, if this is where you want to get to
Hi, Kelef. I love the simplicity of your solution. However, I cannot figure out how you managed to create perfectly bordered palnar surfaces (the blue mesh) using Surface Offset.
When I try to do it, I either get separated surfaces if I only choose the flat faces, or unwanted non-planar edges if I select all of the faces. For both cases, I am unable to Convert Solid properly. Did you have to do any manual sketching to achieve this?
hei'ya Scott,
see the att-prt, just colour coded a bit,
the roll-back bar is set to just after "0" surface offset selection
the red surfaces are exterior, with bend facets-not wanted
the green surfaces are interior, with out radii or faceting between surfaces
you appear to be selecting exterior faces
try deleting my surface-offset1- as is
and re-selecting surface offset feature,
then select the green interior surfaces,
you should get a better idea for it
hope this helps-have a good'm kelef
Thx, Kelf. I think I've got it!
In your first post when you said "inside of dish", I thought you were referring to the offset vector direction. But now you've explained it, it seems obvious to use the interior surface of the dish for Surface Offset.
Relly appreciate your massive help. Thank you
hei'ya Scott,
glad to help, it's like most puzzles,
it's always easier looking back,
as Confusus say
"no master fell from heaven, we all crawl before we walk" -
PS I'm still stumbling around me self
hei'ya Scott, see att.prt file
offset a "0" surface, inside of dish
hide original import,
convert to sheet metal - convert-Solid1 - base as centre piece-
2nd convert to sheet metal - convert-Solid2 - side panels
bend/split as you wish to produce
hope this helps- have a good'n kelef
edit: see dish-one-piece-klf,sldprt, if this is where you want to get to