Sheet Metal Guy Blog

13 Sep 2006   02:34:51 pm
But I am drawing in 3D!
“I want to be able to unfold my part in the CAD system.“ “Well, you have to draw a 3D model of your part to do that.” “I did! I have a front, top and side view. That is 3D, isn’t it?” I have heard this too many times over the years. Sheet metal fabricators want the benefit of 3D modeling, but many are still using their CAD software like a drafting board. “But drawing in 3D is too difficult to do.” Drawing 3D in today’s CAD software is even easier than drawing 2D. They even include features to magically create the paper drawing for you from the 3D model. And yes, in 3D, it is a model not a drawing. The tools available in today’s CAD software make 3D modeling so easy, and the benefits so great, you can’t afford not to take advantage. Even for sheet metal [arts, there are specific features and add-on programs to build flanges, hole patterns, and unfold the parts. SolidWorks, Solid edge, AutoDesk Inventor, Alibre, VX CAD, even KeyCreator brag about their sheet metal modeling features. If you really believe drawing in 3D is too difficult, perhaps you should investigate the training classes available from your local reseller. Or look into the many books available about your CAD software. A few steps in the right direction and you will be modeling all of your parts in 3D and loving it.
		Category : Sheet Metal | Posted By : SheetMetalGuy | Comments[68] | Trackbacks [3001]
05 Sep 2006   12:53:44 pm
New bend relief capabilities in SolidWorks 2007
While SolidWorks indicates the Corner Trim feature was added to the Sheet Metal Toolbar, it really was not. Mine shows two Vent icons and no Corner Trim icon. But this is easy to correct. Just right click on the sheet metal toolbar and select ‘Customize…’ from the pop up menu. At the top of the Customize dialog box, pick the ‘Commands’ tab. And in the ‘Categories:’ list, select ‘Sheet Metal’. Find the ‘Corner Trim’ icon and using your mouse, drag it into the Sheet Metal toolbar. I put mine in between the two ‘Vent’ icons. Then place the cursor on one of the ‘Vent’ icons and drag it out of the toolbar. When you release the mouse button, the unwanted icon will disappear. Click the ‘OK’ button and you're done. But what is new with the Corner Trim command? Remember this feature was available in 2006, but only when the Flat Pattern was unsuppressed and through the Break Corner command. Well the Break Corner command is now only for the 3d model and the Corner Trim command is only available for the flat pattern. And yes, you can use it does include the Break Corners features for in the flat. What’s new is that both the Relief Options and the Break Corners Options have a nice new ‘Collect all corners’ button. This certainly speeds up the process since you no longer have to individually select each corner or relief area. The problem though is that on the Break Corners side, it found all of the inside corners of my cutouts and holes and ignored all of the outside corners. Even the outside corners of my cutouts. The old method of selecting the face gave me the corners around the part boundary and not the corners of my cutouts. And if I added corner reliefs to the bend areas the Break Corners command ignored the inside corners where the bend reliefs where place. A little consolation, but still a concern for corners I may not have wanted modified. The Relief Options has also added a few of new check boxes. Some greatly needed features. The first, “Centered on bend lines”, shifts the relief feature from the intersection of the flange edges to the intersection of the bend lines. Next is “Tangent to bend”, which quickly sizes the relief to the width of the bend area. No more guessing what size to make the relief. This check box is mutually exclusive to the Ratio to thickness check box. You can’t have it both ways. And a third check box to “Add filleted corners” to the relief. Terrific for those whom laser cut the notches and want to eliminate the rough corners. Too bad these features can’t be included in the 3d model. But at least it makes preparation for fabricating much easier.
		Category : Sheet Metal | Posted By : SheetMetalGuy | Comments[79] | Trackbacks [5137]
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