We have a macro that sends a .DXF of the flat pattern to our laser so I know the embossing cannot be present on this. So a new configuration without the embossing would be needed. But I would like to be able to show the embossing on the flat pattern as well as the rolled config. without "fudging" it on the drawing. I've attached the part I'm trying to do this on as well as the DWG explaining the emboss needed.
Thanks for any help!
I attached an iges file just to see if the bending profile is what you were after, you should be able to insert the sheet metal bend feature in the part.
Wasn't sure this is what you wanted. The cuts and bending are just ramdom
That is close to what I'm trying to do. However, the emboss I need does not extend all the way to the top and bottom edges like you have shown. The below attachment clears up the actual embossed area.
Thanks
Brian,, This is the best I could come up with. I made a form tool for the bosses. I am unclear which surface they should be protruding from. Could not get the bosses included in the folded state. I did however use a flex feature which gives you a pretty good visual. In order to dimension it in a drawing you would have to fudge it by adding a sketch circle and dim to it then alter the dim value. The flex was a pain and requires some horsepower to do. It comes out thin in spots and I was not able to attain the same inside (and outside) radius as my folded cylinder. There are 3 configs in the configs.zip I have included a file with the flattened body (saved the cutlist item), then flexed it. This worked out fairly well. No thinning of the material. Lots of work but it was fun.
Thanks Dennis, but I get an error and the files won't open. What version of SW are you using? We're using SW2014 SP04.
Ok Brian,, I have attached a 2014 version of my file. The file is an assembly which includes your file and my file (made from yours) on top of each other so you can see the differences. This came out much better than the first file I sent. I simplified my emboss tool which seems to allow the flex feature to work as expected. The radius is the same but the strips and cut up the side do not line up exactly. I believe the reason for this is the flex feature does not take into account any stretching and compressing which the sheet metal fold and unfold does. Open my file from this assembly and check out the configurations.
Thank Dennis! That's exactly what I need. I haven't had any previous experience with form tools in SW but am exploring them now.
Hello,
Not at work now, but if your embossing is done by a form tool, as has been stated above, then I don't think you need with/without emboss configs to make the laser DXF and the embossed flat pattern drawing views.
If you do the DXF out by clicking, instead of your macro, you'll notice "form tools" in the bunch of checkbox options.
If this isn't checked, then the form tools don't get exported to the DXF. I pretty sure nothing shows (been bit once by this).
Perhaps your macro code is including this "form tools" option? Perhaps under an all options chunk of code?
Try creating a DXF, from a form-tooled part, using the menus with "form tools" unchecked and see what you get.
You can use your form tool feature in the flat pattern to do your emboss detail (not sure how you did the one in the PDF):
1) Insert your flat pattern with the emboss showing (select "Show Punch" under "Flat Pattern Visibility" in the "Form Tool Feature PropertyManager", also in Doc Properties>Sheet Metal)
2) Project the long side view and do a broken out section at the emboss.
3) Enlarge this partial section by making a detail view at the emboss section (SW may not allow this, can't remember).
Kinda winging it w/o SW in front of me, but I don't believe you'll need to "fudge" anything, if I'm understanding your post correctly.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Kevin
Ok Brian,, I have attached a 2014 version of my file. The file is an assembly which includes your file and my file (made from yours) on top of each other so you can see the differences. This came out much better than the first file I sent. I simplified my emboss tool which seems to allow the flex feature to work as expected. The radius is the same but the strips and cut up the side do not line up exactly. I believe the reason for this is the flex feature does not take into account any stretching and compressing which the sheet metal fold and unfold does. Open my file from this assembly and check out the configurations.