flatten a solid (without sheetmetal)

[mjolley]

I need helpflattening this curved solid. I have several parts curved like this one and I don't want to recreate the models. We would like to use all of our existing parts.


Thanks, Rocketman


View attachment 2579

 

[appinmi]

Without sheet metal, I can only think of one way. Create an analyze feature that measures the length of the curve. Then create another protrussion that is flat with relations to get the width and thickness from the original feature, and a relation that sets the length to the "analyze feature". If you want to get creative, you can even figure in the bend allowance during the last relation.

 

[csusie]

If you just want an outline view of this so you can cut it out of a piece of sheetmetal or other material you could do a copy paste of the top surface and use the insert-->advanced-->flatten quilt option. This would get you what you need. It would also allow you to do more complex solids than just a partial cylinder.

 

[design-engine]

Ok. Here is an idea. Use top down design by creating a new
part. Copy geom the top surface from the solid part. Then
flaten surface.

 

[mjolley]

Those are great ideas, but the problem is, I can't creat a new part. I've got to modify existing panels. The picture you see is one of six panels and there is a thickened rib on the bottom-side that you don't see. I need to flatten existing panels.

 

[JamesM]

How aboutconverting the solid tosheet metal?

 

[Isair]

@mjolly
Create family table of existing part, then in one of instances do as others have suggested. This way you'll have both parts, flatten and original

 

[dojo]

indeed, flatten quilt, create a fam table open the flat instance and thicken the quilt is prolly the shortest way without remodelling

 

[mjolley]

Those are still great ideas. There is an extrusion that runs around the perimeter of the cylinder, which you can't see. The solid want convert to sheetmetal. This is a section cut showing the extrusion I was speaking of. Sheetmetal want except this solid. I have tried using the "Warp feature" to flatten the cylinder, but the part is to distorted.


View attachment 2588

 

[csusie]

A question that may need to be addressed is how are you really going to make this part, if it truely is a sheetmetal part and you are bending it up, you should be able to convert to sheetmetal. If you are creating it in some other method, why are you trying to flatten it.

 

[mjolley]

Manufacturing needs a flat pattern. The parts will not be built in house. There will be more protrusion added to the bottom-side of the cylinder which sheetmetal want except. You can't create a protrusion off a surface in sheetmetal and bent it.

 

[mjolley]

DOJO


I am not familar with surfacing, how would you go about doing this?

 

[design-engine]

'Insert' - 'Advanced' - 'Flaten Quilt'



I am speaking at the Milwaukee Pro/E Users group on Friday. Sheetmetal
of all things. and Surfacing for engineers. Two spots.
Someone come and say hi to me.


<a href="http://www.badgerug.com/" target="_blank">
http://www.badgerug.com/</a>


Edited by: design-engine

 

[deepakbhat_nie]

Hi


if you want something like this to happen(The red one is the initial solid andthe grey one is the bend solid)then use bend solid options in Insert advanced.but note that if you have any features on the solid then they will also deform during the process of bend solid.I think you have to reconsider the approach of modelling.


Regards,View attachment 2589


Deepak Bhat