Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
NX Sheet Metal
Page 1 of 161
Page 2 of 161
If you do not see it: 1. Choose ToolsCustomize. 2. On the Toolbars page, select the NX Sheet Metal box, then click Close. Additional Modeling commands for creating sheet metal parts are available. If you do not see the following toolbars on your screen, follow step 1 above, and select the Form Feature and Feature Operation boxes. NX Sheet Metal provides default values for typical sheet metal settings such as material thickness, bend allowance, bend radius, and neutral factor. You do not have to set them for each feature that you create. If you change them, they remain valid for all features in that part file. (You can override them in individual commands.) To see what these settings are, choose PreferencesNX Sheet Metal. This brings up the NX Sheet Metal Preferences dialog, which includes those settings already mentioned, along with other bend options, and flat pattern settings. For instructions on how to change these default values permanently, see Getting StartedCustomizing NXCustomer Defaults.
Page 3 of 161
Page 4 of 161
Page 5 of 161
Default callouts for sheet metal features can be displayed on your flat pattern, and you can customize those labels as well. You can establish defaults for command-specific parameters, such as Dimple, Taper Angle, or Bead Profile Type. To access the forms for changing these defaults, choose FileUtilitiesCustomer Defaults. From the applications list, choose NX Sheet Metal. For more detailed instructions on changing customer defaults, see Getting StartedCustomizing NXCustomer Defaults.
Page 6 of 161
Adding features After you have constructed the base feature, you can use the commands on the NX Sheet Metal and Form Features toolbars to complete the part by adding flanges, jogs, bends, cutouts, holes, pockets, and so on.
Page 7 of 161
Creating a flat pattern You use Flat Solid (parent). to create a new solid body in the part file while keeping the original
The flattened body (and flat pattern) are always at the end of at the timestamp order. Every time a new feature is added onto the parent body, the flattened body is placed at the end. It updates to reflect changes in the parent.
Model History Fixed Datum Plane (0) Fixed Datum Axis (1) Fixed Datum Axis (2) SB Tab (3) Extrude (4) SB Bend (5) SB Bend (6) SB Bend (7) SB Bend (8) Extrude (9)
Page 8 of 161
You then use Flat Pattern to create a sheet metal flat pattern for export to a machine tool for manufacturing. This step supplements Flat Solid by including extra entities such as bend centerlines, tangent lines, and other attributes that provide special machine instructions. You use Customer Defaults to specify which entities you want represented, and how you want them annotated.
Page 9 of 161
Page 10 of 161
Instancing with NX Sheet Metal features takes one more step than instancing of general Modeling features. To use multiple features for an instance set, first place the features in a feature group in the Feature Set dialog box. Choose FormatGroup Features to start the Feature Set dialog box. Once you place the feature in a group, you can apply a rectangular or circular instance to the feature group. Neither mirroring, nor Modeling features requires this step. For an illustration of how to use these capabilities, see Using instancing with punch-type features.
Page 11 of 161
lets you select a previously-created sketch from the graphics window to use as the button feature contour. Internal and external sketches Choosing between an internal and external sketch for a feature depends on whether you plan to reuse the sketch for other features. A sketch created from within a feature becomes part of it and is not available for use by other features. The feature that contains the sketch is the only one shown in the feature tree, and you must edit that feature to have access to the sketch. In the following figure, the Tab feature is based on an internal sketch, which is therefore not visible in the feature tree. Model History Datum Coordinate System (0) SB Tab (1) If you need to use the same sketch to construct multiple features, create the sketch using the Sketcher alone, and then select the pre-existing sketch when you create your feature. This keeps the original sketch in the feature tree, and it can be referenced by other features, as shown in the following figure. Model History Datum Coordinate System (0) Sketch (1) SKETCH_000 SB Tab (2) You can also convert an internal sketch to an internal one. In the Part Navigator, pick the feature that contains the sketch, press the right mouse button and select Make Sketch External from the menu.
Page 12 of 161
Extend Relief determines whether to extend the bend relief to the edge of the part. Bend Relief Depth and Width specify width and depth of the reliefs.
Page 13 of 161
If you do set this option, you specify how you want the corner relief applied. Bend Only applies relief only to the bend portion of the adjacent features.
Bend / Face applies relief to both the bend and face portions of the adjacent features.
Page 14 of 161
Page 15 of 161
Page 16 of 161
Page 17 of 161
Page 18 of 161
Page 19 of 161
THICKNESS
Page 20 of 161
So, for example, in the table below a bend region with an angle of 60, a radius of 3.0, and a part thickness of 2.0 would be assigned a neutral factor of 0.43. 60 1.0 2.0 3.0 1.0 0.43 0.41 0.39 2.0 0.44 0.42 0.40 3.0 0.45 0.43 0.41
If NX does not find a value in the table, it tries to interpolate a value using surrounding values. If this is not possible, NX either assigns default parameters or returns an error message. The value returned from the bend table is the Neutral Factor for the bend region in question. You can change the Neutral Factor value by changing the parameters of the bend region, but the value will revert to the table-driven or material-driven value during an update, if you choose one of those methods of bend definition. To override a material, or table-driven value, use Resize Neutral Factor .
Page 21 of 161
Page 22 of 161
Tab constructs a flat feature on a sheet metal part. You can use this command to construct a base feature or to add material to existing faces of a sheet metal part.
Page 23 of 161
To create a Base Tab: 1. Click Tab default. . If there are no other bodies in the part file, Base Tab is selected by
2. Define the profile plane. 3. Draw a closed profile , or select a section from an existing sketch.
4. Pick the side of the profile you want the material to be on: accept the default (above the profile) or double-click on the drag handle to reverse the direction. 5. Accept the default thickness for the tab, or specify another. (In the latter case, deselect Use Global Value.) Here, we specify thickness of 1 mm.
6. Click OK to finish the feature. To create a secondary tab: 1. Click Tab. by default. . If you have already created a base feature, Secondary Tab is selected
2. Define the profile plane by selecting a part face. 3. Draw an open profile in any 2D shape. If the ends of the open profile sketch are not coincident with the edges of the part, they will be extended to those edges. An arc with open ends is extended to form a circle.
4. Click OK to finish the feature. The tab is assigned the material thickness of the part.
Page 24 of 161
The following options are available for Tab: Base Tab and Secondary Tab let you specify which kind of tab to create. If there is no body in the part file, the system defaults to construction of a base feature. If there is already a body in the part file, the system defaults to creating a secondary feature. Curve and Sketch Section let you specify whether to construct the feature from an existing sketch or to create a new sketch from within the feature. For more information on these sketch options, see Using Sketches in NX Sheet Metal.
Page 25 of 161
With Flange, you can quickly construct simple bent or "flanged" areas. A flange consists of a cylindrical region known as the "bend" region, and a rectangular region known as the "web." Flange also has options for an offset, which creates an extension of the base feature to which the flange is attached. You can set the radius and angle of the flange and specify options for the flange width, the inset distance, and the length of the web area. You can also control the sketch that is used to define the shape of the web portion of the flange.
Page 26 of 161
1. Click Flange
2. Select the edge to which you want to add a flange . If you select the top edge, the flange defaults to up, as shown; if you select the bottom edge, the flange points down. To reverse the direction, double-click on the length drag handle, or click Reverse Direction .
3. Define the flange length: pull the up arrow (L in the figure) to the desired length, or enter the length in the input field. 4. Set flange angle (A) and offset (O), or accept the defaults. 5. Select flange options, if any. 6. Click OK to finish the flange. You can create more complex flanges by editing the flange profile: 1. Follow steps 1 and 5 above.
2. Under Section, click Edit Sketch. 3. Draw the new profile and trim the old one. Make sure that you have a closed profile.
Page 27 of 161
Page 28 of 161
Width lets you specify how you want the flange width to be measured. Full Width Constructs the flange along the full width of the edge you select. Constructs a flange that is centered on the edge you select. You can edit the dimensional value of the flange width and the flange remains centered. The default width is one third the length of the edge you select. Constructs the flange starting at the end you select.
At Center
Constructs the flange width using dimensions from both ends of the edge you select. The default width is one-third of the edge width.
Constructs the flange using a dimension from the end of the edge you select.
Flange Properties Length Reverse Direction Angle Specifies the flange length. You can supply a value, an expression, a reference, and so on. Changes the flange direction (from down to up or vice versa). Specifies the angle of the flange in relation to the base part. Specifies how the web length is measured. Length Reference Inside Dimension material. Outside Dimension measures the flange from the inside of the existing
Specifies how far the flange is inset into the base part. Inset Material Inside : The flange is inset into the base material such that the outside face of the web area is flush with the selected edge.
Page 29 of 161
Offset creates an extension of the base feature to which the flange is attached. You have the usual options for supplying a value. Reverse Direction Changes the direction off the offset, that is, converts the extension to a reduction (negative value).
You can also modify the default bend parameters and Preview
the result.
Page 30 of 161
Contour Flange constructs a flange with several contours by extruding a profile that represents its cross section.
You can use Contour Flange as the base feature of a new sheet metal part or to add a feature to an existing one. Using Contour Flange, you can construct one or more bends at any angle. With the Chain Extent option, the flange chains itself around multiple selected edges and has options for mitered corners between the different flange sections. You don't have to draw the arcs at each bend location. Bends are added automatically using the default bend radius. You can see this in the part and profile shown above. If you want to use a different bend radius value, draw arcs in the profile, or change the default bend radius. You can also use Contour Flange to create wrapped features.
Page 31 of 161
To create a Base Contour Flange: 1. Click Contour Flange . Base Contour Flange is selected by default if there are no sheet metal features in the part file. If there are, Contour Flange defaults to the secondary option. 2. Define the profile plane. 3. Draw an open profile, and select it when prompted to select section geometry. 4. Specify part thickness or accept the default. 5. Specify the width of the feature.
6. Choose options. 7. Click OK to complete the feature. The arcs at each bend location are added automatically when you finish the profile, unless you have sketched arcs in the bend areas.
To add a contour flange to a sheet metal part (that is, create a Secondary Contour Flange): 1. Click Contour Flange .
Secondary Contour Flange is selected by default because there is already a body in the part file.
Page 32 of 161
4. Choose options in the dialog box, if any. 5. Specify the width of the flange.
Page 33 of 161
Tips and techniques for contour flanges You can only apply bend reliefs with Contour Flange when the bend section actually intersects the original edge on which you placed the flange. The figure below illustrates this. Bend relief 5 mm wide and 5 mm deep was selected for both contour flanges. Note that only the flange with the bend positioned at the edge has bend relief.
Page 34 of 161
If the underlying sketch for Contour Flange intersects the part with an arc section, the arc must be tangent to the top or bottom face of the part where it intersects the placement edge. Any arcs that define the outer face of a bend region must have a radius greater than the part thickness. Certain contour flange profiles produce error conditions: o The following graphic shows an invalid three-point arc for a secondary contour flange. The problem is that the tangent line that is connected to the edge lies within the plane of the face of that edge
o The following profile, which consists of a combination of lines and arcs, does not maintain tangent continuity at the intersection of the arc and line.
Page 35 of 161
When creating contour flanges on curved edges, create the profile at the end of the curved edge for most predictable results.
Page 36 of 161
Width
Finite Extent projects the profile a finite width to either side of the profile plane. You must supply a width. Symmetric Extent applies half the specified width to each side of the profile. You must supply a width.
To End Extent
Chain Extent projects the contour flange along a series of edges that you select. Note that it will not chain through edges that meet at a concave corner. The following figure illustrates this. If chaining continued and included the edge where the contour flange is missing, it would self-intersect at the interior corner, causing an error condition.
Width Option
Miter: You can set the following options for both the Start and Finish End of the contour flange
Page 37 of 161
Miter Corners Cutout Normal to Thickness Face miters the end of the contour flange perpendicular to the thickness face. Normal to Source Face miters the end of the contour flange perpendicular to the source face.
Angle sets the miter angle for the specified end of the contour flange. A negative value miters the flange inward and typically removes material. A positive value miters the flange outward and typically adds material. With some complex contour flanges, material can be both added or removed when an end is mitered. Miter Using Normal Cutout Method Creates miters perpendicular to the thickness face at corners and ensures that you can unbend and rebend the contour flanges in your part. Note that this method removes more material at the corners, so if you want water-tight flanges at the corners and are not concerned about creating a flat pattern of this part, you may prefer not to use this option. (Chain Extent only) Determines whether a miter should be applied, and only comes into effect when the chain edges of a contour flange span a bend region. This option for Contour Flange in NX 5 results from the new ability to flange around curved edges. To achieve behavior equivalent to NX 4, you must select only the tab edges and not the bend edges, as shown in the following figure.
In NX 5, if you select the bend edges, the Contour Flange is built across those edges as well. If the radius of the bend region being spanned is large enough, the Contour Flange fills in this
Page 38 of 161
If you select Miter Interior Corners When Necessary, the software only miters the corners spanning bend regions if the corners would self-intersect. In the figure below, the bend region on the left is too small to accommodate the flange edges, so they are mitered. The bend on the right is large enough that it isn't necessary.
The decision to miter or not is based on the length of the flange and the radius of the bend region being spanned. If the length of the flange is less than the radius of the bend region that the chain is traversing, NX Sheet Metal does not apply miters to that corner region. The radii in question are shown below highlighted in red.
Page 39 of 161
If you do not select this option, NX Sheet Metal miters the sides of the flanges, regardless of the length of the flange or the radius of the bend region being spanned, as shown in the following figures.
Corners Close Corner Specifies that you want to close the interior corners. Bend relief is applied when you close three inside bend corners. The following treatment options are only available if you select Close
Page 40 of 161
Close closes the bent faces of the flange until the edges intersect.
Circular Cutout creates a found cutout. If you select this option, you must specify a diameter for the circle.
Page 41 of 161
Lofted Flange is an extruded flange that uses start and end profiles to create the basic shape. The profiles must be open and must be on parallel reference planes. Lofted Flange is particularly useful for HVAC work, as it allows for round to square transitions. You can also create conical bend regions with Lofted Flange.
A Lofted Flange can be either a base or a secondary feature. The command automatically adds bends using the bend radius property. You do not have to draw an arc at each bend location.
Page 42 of 161
To create a lofted flange as a base feature: 1. Create parallel datum planes offset from each other. The offset distance should correspond to the length of the lofted flange you intend to create. 2. Click Lofted Flange . Base Lofted Flange is selected by default if there are no other bodies in the part file. 3. Choose a method for creating the first cross section: sketch a section on a profile plane or select a section you've already created . Note that both cross sections must be open profiles. When prompted, select the section you sketched, then press Enter. 4. Select the start point for the first section or construct one , then press Enter.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the second cross section on the second offset plane. The start points for the cross sections (the green cubes in the following illustration) should be in line with each other so as to avoid twisting the shape. (If it is twisted, it cannot be flattened).
6. Select a material side and a thickness value (or accept the defaults). 7. Click OK or Apply to complete the feature.
Page 43 of 161
Page 44 of 161
Curve and Sketch Section let you specify whether to construct the feature from an existing sketch or to create a new sketch from within the feature. For more information on these sketch options, see Using Sketches in NX Sheet Metal. and point selector Point Constructor point or select an existing one. let you specify whether to create a new
Lofted Flange has the standard bend and corner options. For more details, see Bend parameters for sheet metal features.
Page 45 of 161
Use Hem Flange to create a feature where the material folds back on itself. Hem Flange is always a secondary feature built on a base part, such as a tab. This command gives you a variety of pre-set shapes. Along with simple open and closed hems, you can create more specialized types, such as curls and loops. The following figure shows some standard hem shapes: closed, curled, s-type, and centered loop.
The Hem Flange dialog box illustrates each type and shows the key dimensions. For example, this is the picture of the Closed type hem, and shows how the key dimension, which in this case is flange length, is measured.
You can make fairly complex shapes quite simply, and you can create hem flanges that chain around part edges.
Page 46 of 161
To create a hem flange: 1. On the NX Sheet Metal toolbar, click Hem Flange .
2. In the Hem Flange dialog box, select a hem shape from the Type list. 3. Select Edge is active. Select a part edge on which to place the hem. If you want the hem to span several edges, select one edge after another. If the hem can be built, you see a preview like this one:
4. Select inset, bend parameter, and relief options. You can change hem types and other options while still in the command and preview the result. 5. Click OK or Apply to complete the feature.
Page 47 of 161
Inset Options specify how far the flange is inset into the base part. Material Inside Material Outside Bend Adds material to the selected edge to form the flange. Outside Bend Parameters vary depending on the type of hem you select. Measures the length of the flange as shown in the bitmap for that type of hem. For closed types, you only specify one length. For loop, curl, and S-type flanges, you specify two lengths. Available for hems with two bends. Specifies that the radii for both bends are equal. Sets the radius of the bend for a given hem. For loop, curl, and S-type hems, specify two radii. Available for open and centered curl-type hems. Specifies the extent of the curl. The maximum value is less than 360. The figures below show two open loop hem flanges with sweep angles of 145 and 350 degrees, respectively. Insets the hem flange into the base material such that the outside face of the web area is flush with the selected edge.
Insets the hem flange into the base material such that the inside face of the web area is flush with the selected edge.
Flange Length
Equal Radii
Bend Radius
Sweep Angle
Page 48 of 161
Closed Corner modifies two flanges in one operation to close a corner where two flanges meet.
Note the following: The angles of the adjacent flanges must be less than or equal to 90 degrees. It's best to apply bend and corner relief before using Closed Corner, so that there's a clean corner to close. The corner should be symmetric, with equal bend radii and bend angles on the adjacent flanges. If there's more than one way to close the corner, edit the flanges themselves to close the corner the way you want it.
Page 49 of 161
. .
3. Use the feature dialog box to specify corner options. 4. Click OK to finish the corner.
Page 50 of 161
Treatment
Closed:
Circular Cutout:
Diameter
(For Circular Cutout treatment only): Specifies the diameter of the circular cutout.
Overlap
Closed
Overlapping extends one edge. You use Overlap Ratio to specify the amount of overlap. Gap specifies the amount of gap between the edges. 0.0 is the default. The following figure shows a gap of 1 mm. (The gap cannot be negative or greater than the material thickness.)
Page 51 of 161
Page 52 of 161
3-Bend Corner lets you close corners where three bends meet. The sweep angles of the bends must be less than or equal to 90 degrees, and must all be the same. Similarly, the radii of all three bends must be the same.
Page 53 of 161
2. Choose the type of corner you want: Open 3. Select the first outer bend.
Page 54 of 161
Treatment
Closed:
Circular Cutout:
Diameter
(For Circular Cutout treatment only): Specifies the diameter of the circular cutout.
Page 55 of 161
Normal Cutout has edges that remain perpendicular to the planar face of the part. Normal cutouts are particularly useful when you want to make cuts across bend regions and still maintain a constant material thickness. The feature is useful when you need to Unbend and Rebend sheet metal parts, because non-perpendicular thickness faces created with Extrude-Subtract may be deformed during Unbend/Rebend operations. Normal Cutout maintains sheet metal part properties by always cutting normal to the top and bottom faces of the model. It also conforms to all other global sheet metal part properties. In many cases, Normal Cutout lets you avoid unbending the part to model a cutout.
Page 56 of 161
3. Draw a profile, or select a section from an existing sketch. o A closed profile defines the cutout. o An open profile displays a direction handle that is perpendicular to the open profile and co-planar with the sketch. Use this handle to specify which side of the profile to cut. The following figure shows the effects of reversing the direction handle.
The curves of the open profile are extended tangentially until they intersect themselves to create a closed profile, or until they intersect the edge of the part.
Page 57 of 161
Page 58 of 161
Cutout Properties
Cut Method
Thickness Cut compensates for the material thickness of the part by projecting the profile onto both layer faces, inner and outer (top/bottom), then thickening the resulting surface into a solid tool, and removing the tool from the base part Mid-Plane Cut projects the profile onto the mid-plane of the sheet metal part, then thickens the resulting surface into a tool body. Usually Thickness Cut consumes more material than Mid-Plane.
Value lets you define the extent of the cutout manually, either by dragging the depth handle or by entering the distance in the Depth input field. Between lets you define the extent of the cutout by selecting two parallel planes or faces. Through Next Through All extends the cutout to the first edge encountered. extends the cutout through the whole part.
Limits
Symmetric Depth is only available if you select Value. This option creates a cut area symmetric in both directions from the sketch plane.
Page 59 of 161
Jog constructs two 90-degree bends and adds material to them to jog to a planar face of a sheet metal part.
The profile for a Jog feature must be a single linear element and can only be constructed across a planar face. The jog can be minimal: for example, a slight offset or step to provide clearance or rigidity to a part.
Page 60 of 161
To create a Jog on a tab, or a planar region of a contour flange or lofted flange: 1. Click Jog .
2. Define the profile planeselect the face you want to jog on. 3. Draw a profile or pick one to serve as the Jog Line. The profile must be a single linear element.
4. If necessary, click on the drag handle to define the direction you want to jog. The drag handle should point toward the portion of the part you want to move. (The following figures illustrate the results produced by selecting different jog directions.)
Page 61 of 161
Page 62 of 161
Page 63 of 161
Jog Properties Height Reverse Direction Reverse Side Specifies the extent of the jog. Changes the direction of the jog from up to down and vice versa.
Changes the side of the part that moves to create the jog.
Height Reference
Inside applies the dimension from the selected face to the near side of the feature. Outside applies the dimension from the selected face to the far side of the feature.
Material Inside positions the portion of the feature that is perpendicular to the profile plane inside of the profile plane. Material Outside positions the portion of the feature that's perpendicular to the profile plane outside of the profile plane. Bend Outside positions both the portion of the feature that's perpendicular to the profile plane and the bend outside of the profile plane.
Inset
Extend Section
Extends the linear profile you draw to the edges of the part.
Page 64 of 161
Use this command to create a bend in a planar area on a sheet metal part.
Page 65 of 161
1. Click Bend
2. Define the profile plane. 3. Draw a profile. The profile, which must be a single linear element, represents the approximate location of the bend. 4. Define the bend location with respect to the profile. 5. To change the default bend angle (90 degrees), drag the angle handle or enter a value in the input field.
6. Specify the side of the part to move. The direction arrow points towards the portion that will move.
Page 66 of 161
7. Define the bend direction. To change the bend direction, double-click the direction arrow.
Page 67 of 161
Bend Properties Angle Reverse Direction Reverse Side Specifies the angle of the bend. Changes the direction of the bend from up to down and vice versa.
Changes the side of the part that moves to create the bend.
Outer Mold Line Profile specifies that the profile represents the line created by the junction between the planar stationary region and the cylindrical bend region in the flattened state. Bend Center Line Profile specifies that the profile line represents the center line of the bend, and that the bend region will be distributed evenly on either side of the profile in the flattened state. Inner Mold Line Profile specifies that the profile represents the line created by the junction of the planar web region and the cylindrical bend region in the flattened state. Material Inside positions the portion of the feature that is perpendicular to the profile plane inside of the profile plane. Material Outside positions the portion of the feature that's perpendicular to the profile plane outside of the profile plane.
Inset
Extend Section
Extends the linear profile you draw to the edges of the part.
You can also modify the default bend parameters. The following figures show how the bend is positioned differently, depending on which bend location option you choose. The extended plane going through the part is a visual aid to highlight the bend location. Note: The Bend Center Line, Inner Mold Line, and Outer Mold Line profiles need to be shown in the flattened state because this is the state in which these measurements make sense. Bend Location Graphic
Page 68 of 161
Page 69 of 161
Material Outside
Page 70 of 161
Use this command to unbend a portion of the part so you can construct a cutout or a hole across the bend. Don't use Unbend to create the flat patternuse Flat Solid and Flat Pattern instead. You can apply a rebend on top of the unbend feature to represent the true formed state of the model.
Page 71 of 161
1. Click Unbend
2. Select a planar face or planar edge that you want to remain in a fixed position.
If you create a part that intersects itself at any point during its development, either when creating it or when unbending or rebending, any further unbend or rebend operations may result in an error. If this happens, roll the part back to the step before the self-intersection and try to correct the self-intersecting condition.
Page 72 of 161
Use this command to rebend a part after you've unbent it to add a feature, such as a cutout, across a bend.
Page 73 of 161
1. Click Rebend
2. Select a face that was unbent with the Unbend command. (You can rebend more than one unbent feature in one operation.)
3. Click OK to finish the feature. If you create a part that intersects itself at any point during its development, either when creating it or when unbending or rebending, any further unbend or rebend operations may result in an error. If this happens, roll the part back to the step before the self-intersection and try to correct the self-intersecting condition.
Page 74 of 161
Use this command to construct an indentation in a sheet metal part. You use a sketched profile as the dimple outline. Like Drawn Cutout, Dimple makes an indentation in the sheet metal part, using a sketched profile as its outline. The principal difference between the two is that a dimple has a bottom and a drawn cutout doesn't. Dimples can't be flattened.
Page 75 of 161
1. Click Dimple
2. Pick the profile plane. 3. To create the dimple profile, select an existing sketch, or define a new one using the options from the dialog. If you use an open profile, its open ends must intersect part edges. If you create an open profile where the curves don't intersect the outer edges of the part, the software extends the ends of the profile curves tangentially until they either intersect one another or intersect the edges of the part. A closed profile can't touch any part edges. 4. (For open profiles only) Double-click the side handle to specify the side of the profile to move during the Dimple operation. 5. Set the dimple depth. 6. Set wall, dimension, and rounding options, if any. 7. Click OK to finish the feature.
Page 76 of 161
The following options are available for Dimple: Dimple Properties Depth Reverse Direction Specifies the extent of the dimple. Changes the direction of the dimple from up to down and vice versa. Specifies the taper angle for the dimple. (The angle is measured relative to the default sidewall angle of 90 degrees.) The dimple in the following figure has a side angle of 20 degrees. The section corners have been rounded (the original profile sketch was rectangular), but there's no rounding for die or punch. Side Angle
Depth Reference
Inside measures the dimension from the selected face to the near side of the feature. Outside measures the dimension from the selected face to the far side of the feature.
Sidewalls
Material Outside specifies that the sidewalls for the dimple are constructed so that they lie outside the profile. Material Inside specifies that the sidewalls for the dimple are constructed so that they lie inside the profile.
Rounding Round Dimple Edges Punch Radius Lets you supply values for the dimple's punch and die radii. Specifies the radius value at the bottom of the dimple (P below).
Page 77 of 161
Die Radius
Specifies that you want to round any sharp corners in the profile. This option Round Section allows you to draw the profile without arcs. If you choose this option, you must Corners supply a Corner Radius. You can't select this option If you use a circular profile.
Page 78 of 161
A louver is constructed using a single, linear element. The louver depth (D) must be equal to or less than the louver width (W) minus the material thickness (T).
Page 79 of 161
You can also specify whether you want the louver ends formed (A) or lanced (B).
Page 80 of 161
1. Click Louver
2. Define the profile plane. 3. Draw a profile. The profile must be a single linear element. 4. Define the louver depth and height. 5. Specify whether you want the louver ends lanced or formed. 6. Specify whether you want rounding, and if so, supply a radius value. (In the following figure, the louver on the left has a die radius of 2 mm.)
Page 81 of 161
The following options are available for Louver: Louver Properties Specifies the extent of the louver, measured from the base surface to the top of the louver. The louver depth (D) must be equal to or less than the louver width minus the material thickness.
Depth
Reverse Direction
Changes the direction of the louver to the opposite side of the base part. Specifies the width of the louver, measured from the Cut Line to the front edge.
Width
Reverse Direction
Moves the louver to the other side of the Cut Line (profile).
Page 82 of 161
Page 83 of 161
Like Dimple, Drawn Cutout makes an indentation in the sheet metal part, using a sketched profile as its outline. The principal difference between the two is that a dimple has a bottom and a drawn cutout doesn't. Drawn cutouts can't be flattened.
Page 84 of 161
3. To create the drawn cutout profile, select an existing sketch, or create a new one. If you use an open profile, the open ends of the profile must intersect part edges. A closed profile can't touch any part edges. 4. (For open profiles only) Double-click the side handle to select the side of the profile to move during the Drawn Cutout operation. The following graphics show how the side handle direction affects the way the feature is created.
5. Set the depth of the drawn cutout. 6. Set wall, dimension, and rounding options, if any.
Page 85 of 161
Page 86 of 161
The following options are available for Drawn Cutout: Cutout Properties Depth Reverse Direction Specifies the extent of the cutout. Changes the direction of the cutout to the opposite side of the base part. Specifies the taper angle for the cutout. (The angle is measured relative to the default sidewall angle of 90 degrees.) The drawn cutout in the following figure has a taper angle of 10 degrees. It displays rounding of cutout edges (die radius with a fillet of 2 degrees). Section corners haven't been rounded.
Side Angle
Sidewalls
Material Outside specifies that the sidewalls for the dutout are constructed so that they lie outside the profile. Material Inside specifies that the sidewalls for the cutout are constructed so that they lie inside the profile.
Rounding Round Cutout Edges Lets you supply values for the cutout's die radius. Specifies the radius value at the base of the cutout. The figure on the left shows no rounding.; the figure on the right has rounded cutout edges (radius 2 mm) and rounded section corners (also 2 mm radius).
Die Radius
Page 87 of 161
Specifies that you want to round any sharp corners in the profile. This option Round Section allows you to draw the profile without arcs. If you choose this option, you must Corners supply a Corner Radius.(See the graphic on the right, above.) You can't select this option If you use a circular profile.
Page 88 of 161
Bead constructs a bead feature on a sheet metal part. Beads are often used to stiffen sheet metal parts. You can specify the shape of the bead cross section and the type of end condition treatment you want. For example, you can specify whether the bead shape is circular, U-shaped, or V-shaped. You can also specify whether the ends of the bead are formed, lanced, or punched. Beads can't be flattened.
Page 89 of 161
1. Click Bead
2. Select the profile plane. 3. Create a profile for the Bead. The profile can be open or closed. Multiple elements in the profile must be tangent continuous. You can also construct a single Bead feature using multiple, separate profiles. Each profile must be a continuous set of tangent elements, but the profiles can cross each other. The radius of any arcs in the profile must be more than half the width of the bead itself. 4. Choose a bead cross-section type and specify dimensions for it. The icons in the dialog indicate how the dimensions are measured: o For Circular: Depth and Radius. (Depth must be less than Radius.)
5. Choose a treatment option for the ends of the bead: o Formed (the default)
Page 90 of 161
o Punched
Page 91 of 161
Bead Properties Specifies the type of bead: Circular creates a bead in a half-circle
shape. Cross Section U-Shaped creates a bead with a flat bottom and angled
you can modify. Specifies the extent of the bead. The bitmap image for each type shows how the depth is measured. In this figure, D indicates the Depth depth. Reverse Direction Changes the direction of the bead in relation to the base part. The radius of the curve on the inside of the bead. R = radius (Circular Radius (Circular and U-Shaped only) bead in this case) Width .
The width at the bottom inside of the U-Shaped bead as shown here. W =
Page 92 of 161
width Specifies the taper angle for the bead. (The angle is measured relative to the default sidewall angle of 90 degrees.) In this figure, A = Angle (U-Shaped only) angle Controls the shape of the ends of the bead. End Condition Formed creates ends that are rounded. Lanced creates ends that are cut. Punched creates ends that are cut with a relief. If you select this options, you must specify the extent of the relief by supplying a value for Punched Width.
Rounding Lets you supply values for the bead's die and punch radii. Not recommended when using the bead to construct a pattern feature that contains a large number of beads. Specifies the radius value at the top of the bead. Punch Radius specifies the radius value at the bottom of the bead. Only available for U-Shaped.
Page 93 of 161
Use Solid Punch when you want to create a sheet metal feature that inherits the shape from the punch type tool body.
The Solid Punch is created with a die-type or punch-type tool body. A die-type tool body models the negative (void) shape, and a punch-type models the positive shape. The following figures show the tool body and the target (the green sheet), the tool body used as a die, and finally the tool body used as a punch.
Page 94 of 161
Page 95 of 161
Both Solid Punch types follow the same basic procedure. 1. Click Solid Punch .
2. Select a Type: Punch to model a positive shape or Die to model a void. 3. Select a target face (the face first touched by the tool body). 4. Select a tool body. 5. If the tool does not intersect the tool body, select a Csys or point to define the from location on the tool and a Csys or point to define a to location on the target. The following figures show the locations of the From Csys on the tool body and the To Csys on the target, then the result (in this case, a Die type punch).
Page 96 of 161
Page 97 of 161
Solid Punch Properties Thickness Infer Thickness Specifies the thickness of the solid punch. Specifies that the solid punch thickness should be inferred from the target solid. Creates a point at the centroid of the solid punch intersection curves. You can use this point for manufacturing purposes. Hides the tool body once the punch has been created.
Auto Centroid Hide the tool body Rounding Round Solid Punch Edges Die Radius
Applies die blends to the non-g1 edges between the solid punch and the target body. If this option is on, you must supply radius values. The radius of the inside rounded edge where the punch meets the target (D in the figure below). The radius of the outside rounded edge where the punch meets the target (P in the figure below.). In general, Punch Radius is the Die Radius plus the thickness.
Punch Radius
Blends sharp edges with constant thickness on the tool body. The following figures illustrate the difference. Constant Thickness
Page 98 of 161
Constant Thickness on
Page 99 of 161
Use Edge Rip when you want to rip along corner edges, for example when converting a solid model to a sheet metal part. Edge Rip can also be used any time you need to separate two parts of a model so that they can act independently. Use this command if you want your edges ripped as a separate activity, rather than as part of the Convert to Sheetmetal process. An additional feature of Edge Rip lets you rip along a linear sketch. You could use this capability, for example, to separate two parts of a flange and bend one of them.
2. Select an existing section or sketch one on the face of a part. 3. When prompted for the Section, select the line you sketched, as shown.
You can now treat the two parts of the flange as separate surfaces, for example by creating a bend along one section of the original flange.
Use Convert to Sheetmetal to convert plain solid models created in the Modeling application to NX Sheet Metal models.
3. Select a planar base face (preferably one that has tangent continuity with the other faces in the model, or that will have after you rip edges). 4. Select the edges that you want to rip .
If you unbend or flatten a part and then use Convert to Sheetmetal, you cannot rebend the areas that were previously unbent. Tips and techniques for using Convert to Sheetmetal Successful conversion of a model into sheet metal largely depends on the topology of the part and the base (seed) face you select. A face that has tangent continuity with other faces in the model gives better results after conversion. You can use the edge-rip option to achieve tangent continuous faces. For example, in the part shown below, the red faces can never be tangent continuous to each other. The green faces are tangent continuous to rest of the body, but not to the corners of the
The following graphic shows the part after conversion. Note that picking a red face as the base face wouldn't have produced as good a conversion.
Here's another example of a part where the selecting a red face as the base face wouldn't produce a good conversion.
You can specify whether you want bend relief applied to the bends in the part, and if so, what type and dimensions. For more information on this topic, see Bend parameters for sheet metal features.
You can control the geometry of individual bend regions. You can change bend angle, bend radius, and the neutral factor of a given bend. There is a separate command for each type of change, and the modifications appear as separate entities in the Part Navigator, as shown below: Model History Datum Coordinate System (0) SB Tab (1) SB Secondary Contour Flange (2) SB ResizeBendAngle (3) SB ResizeBendRadius (4) There is a separate command for each type of change. These capabilities let you change individual bends in features such as contour flanges and jogs that create multiple bend regions. Also, when you bring in parts with the Convert to Sheet Metal command, you can modify individual bend regions to suit the demands of the part. You no longer need to go back to Modeling, revise the part, and reconvert it. For manufacturing, you can visualize parts with bends in interim states, showing, for example, a 90-degree flange first at 45 degrees and then rebent to the full 90 degrees. Since these features are in timestamp order, you can hide and show the direct edit features to display the model in various states of forming.
To change bend angle, bend radius, or the neutral factor of a bend, you follow the same general procedure. 1. On the NX Sheet Metal toolbar, click one of the following buttons: o Resize Bend Radius o Resize Bend Angle o Resize Neutral Factor is active. Select a non-thickness face 2. (For Resize Bend Angle only). Select Face to remain stationary when you change the bend angle . 3. Select Bend is active. Select the bend(s) you want to modify. .
4. Supply a new parameter value for angle, radius, or neutral factor. 5. (For Resize Bend Angle only). Select the Keep Radius Fixed check box if you do not want the radius to change with the change in angle. If the radius stays fixed, the web length must change. 6. Click OK or Apply to make the change.
Flat Solid allows you to create a flat representation of the part in the same file as the formed sheet metal part. The flattened version of the part is associative to the formed version. When you flatten a sheet metal part this way, a Flat Solid feature is added to the end of the Model History in the Part Navigator. If the part contains deformation features, they are retained in their formed condition. If the sheet metal model changes, the flat pattern automatically updates to include the new feature.
Model History Fixed Datum Plane (0) Fixed Datum Axis (1) Fixed Datum Axis (2) SB Tab (3) SB Flange (5) SB Flange (7) SB Closed Corner (9) SB Edge Rip (13) Sketch (17) SKETCH_... SB Flat Solid (18)
2. Select a face that you want to orient upward. 3. Select an edge to define the X axis and origin. 4. (Optional): Select Move to Absolute CSYS to move the flattened representation of the part to the model space coordinate system. 5. Click OK to finish the flat representation of your part.
Flat Pattern lets you create a solid or wireframe flat representation of a 3D sheet metal part. You can include annotations for bending, punching, or cutting manufacturing instructions. Included are facilities for automatic bend region annotations, and options for the line color, layer, and font used for the various line types (outline, bend centerline, bend tangents, and so on). You can then export the flat pattern through a translator to a cutting tool for the manufacture of the part. Note: The recommended translator for exporting flat patterns to tools is 2D Exchange. Choose FileExport2D Exchange.
2. Pick an upward face to orient the flat pattern . This face can either be on a formed sheet metal body, or on a Flat Solid body. The normal direction associated with this face is used to specify the UP direction for bend regions. Note: Flat Pattern needs a Flat Solid body as the basis for the flat pattern curves. So if you select a face on a formed sheet metal body as the base face for the Flat Pattern, a Flat Solid feature will be automatically created as the basis for the Flat Pattern curves. When you create a Flat Solid, the face you select on the formed sheet metal body will be used as the placement face for the Flat Solid and the base face for the Flat Pattern. As a result, this placement face eventually defines the UP direction for the bend region annotations on the flat pattern. 3. Click OK to create the feature. 4. To see the FLAT-PATTERN, in the Part Navigator, click to expand Model Views, then double-click the FLAT-PATTERN view. Edit a flat pattern To edit the orientation or placement of the flat pattern, you must edit the orientation of the flat solid feature that it references. This is true both for flat patterns created from flat solids and those created from a formed sheet metal body. The flat pattern is simply a grouped set of curves and associated annotations. You can add, remove, or edit curves in this group. However, any time you update the model, the curves associated with the flat pattern will be regenerated and will overwrite any changes. To make permanent changes to a flat pattern, you must first make a nonassociative copy of the flat pattern curves and then edit that set of curves. Export a flat pattern Exporting a Flat Pattern through a translator requires a proper translator license. This license is not included as part of NX Sheet Metal. You can export a flat pattern as follows. With the part file that contains the flat pattern open: 1. Choose FileExport2D Exchange. Select the Files tab. 2. Under Export to, for Output As, select DXF or DWG, and specify where you want to save the new file. 3. Select the Data to Export tab. For Export, choose Selected Objects. Then in the graphics window, click on the Flat Pattern group. (It should all highlight at once.) 4. For (the second) Export, choose Selected View, select FLAT-PATTERN from the View List, then click OK to export. You can also use Save As to save your flat pattern: Choose FileSave As, specify a name and a folder location for the file, and for Save as type, select DXF or DWG.
Because most companies have standards for their flat patterns, you may want to establish default settings for flat pattern curve display and annotation. See the following topics for instructions: Set Flat Pattern Display options Use Flat Pattern Custom Callouts
NX Sheet Metal provides display options for a wide range of curve types, including bend lines, bend tangent lines, inner and outer mold lines, and so on. You can establish defaults in Customer Defaults, and you can change settings for each part individually in sheet metal Preferences. To change the Customer Defaults for Flat Pattern: 1. Choose FileUtilitiesCustomer DefaultsSheet MetalFlat Pattern. 2. Select the Curves tab to manage which curves will be displayed and how. Each curve type has a box with an Enabled check box, the feature name, a color box to choose the color, and menus for line font style and width. There is also a box to specify the layer. o To change the color, click in the color box. The color palette displays. Click a color, then click OK. o Set line type and line width for the curve you want to display by choosing from the Font and Width lists. o Set the layer by typing in a new value, or accept the default (1). o Repeat these steps for each type you want to display on your Flat Pattern. 3. Select Enabled for each type you want displayed. Then click OK To set non-default display options for Flat Pattern in a part file: 1. Choose PreferencesNX Sheet Metal. 2. Choose Flat Pattern Display. 3. Under Curves, change color, font, and width in the same way you did it in Customer Defaults. 4. Select the line types you want displayed and clear the check boxes for the ones you don't want visible. 5. Click OK to set the options.
NX Sheet Metal has six templates that you can use to create callouts for display on your flat pattern. You can customize them and control their availability in the Customer Defaults file. Each callout has the following: Name: specifies the name of the callout as it appears in the NX Sheet Metal Preferences dialog. You can change this name. Object Types: indicates the types of objects to which particular callouts can be associated, in order of preference. For example, Bend Radius would be associated with Bend Center Line first. If bend center lines are not shown on the flat pattern, it would be associated with the second item in the list, Outer Mold Line, and so on. You cannot change the object types, but you can control their display on the flat pattern by: o Making them unavailable in Customer Defaults. o Turning them off in NX Sheet Metal Preferences. o In the Object Types field, changing the order of the types or deleting ones that you don't want to display. Content: specifies the text that appears in the callout in your flat pattern. You can change portions of this, for example, displayed name, and number of decimal places. In the following flat pattern, we changed Bend Radius to R and Bend Angle to A.
Available: controls whether the callout is visible on the NX Sheet Metal Preferences dialog. Enabled: controls whether the callout is created by default on your flat pattern.
Name
Bend Radius
Bend Angle
Bend Direction
Aerospace Sheet Metal only Hole Diameter Joggle Line Joggle Line Hole Diameter = <!KEY=0,3.2@UGS.diameter> Joggle Runout = <!KEY=0,3.2@UGS.joggleRunout> Joggle Depth = <!KEY=0,3.2@UGS.joggleDepth>
Hole Diameter
Joggle Runout
Joggle Depth
For each part file, you can create six new callouts in Customer Defaults. NX Sheet Metal remembers up to five sets of six new custom callouts. After that, it won't accept any new ones. To customize the default callouts, choose FileUtilitiesCustomer DefaultsSheet MetalFlat PatternAnnotations. You see six Custom Callout templates. For each callout template: 1. (Optional) Change the name that is displayed on the NX Sheet Metal Preferences by typing a new one in the Name box. 2. Customize the callout that is displayed on the flat pattern by changing the text string in the Content box. For example, to change Bend Angle to BA, you would type the following: BA = <!KEY=0,3.2@UGS.angle>. 3. Repeat steps 23 for as many of the Custom Callout templates as you want to have the option to display. 4. Select Available for each callout that you want to have show up in Preferences. Select Enabled for all the callouts that you want to have appear by default on your flat pattern. (You can disable their display in Preferences on a per file basis.) 5. Click OK to save your changes. You have to start a new NX session for these defaults to take affect. Customizing callout display in a sheet metal part file Once you create custom callouts, they are listed in Current callouts in part on the Flat Pattern Display tab in NX Sheet Metal Preferences. Enable the ones you want to see and disable the ones that you want to hide. If you don't, you may have two sets of callouts for each feature, your customized label and the default. Formatting custom callout text To create your own custom callouts in NX Sheet Metal, you can use the special keyword language shown in the default callouts. A key looks like this: <!KEY=0,3.2@UGS.angle> These keys get resolved into values from the individual bend regions. The above key is an angle key and will be replaced by the angle value of the associated bend region. All keys begin with a <!KEY=0 tag that specifies the beginning of a key to be replaced. The next section consists of an integer, a period, and another integer, which defines the format of the number that replaces the key. If this section is 2.3, then the number that replaces the key will be in the format XX.YYY. As
2. You need to sketch a profile for your tab. Click Sketch Section 3. In Sketcher, accept the default XC-YC sketch plane.
4. Sketch a rectangle 150 mm by 50 mm and click the flag to finish the sketch. You now see a wireframe preview of your tab. 5. Click OK to accept the default thickness value that you set in Preferences and to complete the feature.
2. Select an edge from which to build the flange. In this case, select one of the long edges on the tab.
3. Use the drag handles to set the length and angle of the flange. Experiment with them and notice how as you move their position, the value changes in the dynamic input box, and the solid preview updates. Use the handles to set the following parameters: o Flange length: 30 mm o Flange angle: 45 degrees Click OK to complete the feature The software creates the flange with the bend radius that you specified in the Preferences dialog and the length and angle that you specified using the drag handles.
On the Contour Flange dialog, you can either create a section inside the feature or select a pre-existing sketch as the contour flange profile .
2. Click on the second selection step (Sketch Section) and notice that the system defaults to selecting an edge as input. Make sure that your selection intent drop-down list is set to Single Curve. 3. Rotate your part and select the bottom edge of the tab as shown below. Drag the origin of the CSYS to the end of the edge as shown and double-click any of the directional handles so that they point in the same direction as those in the figure. This tells the software that you want to sketch on a plane perpendicular to that edge, with a position at the end of the edge, and instructs the software how the sketch plane should be oriented.
Click MB2 to accept the edge youve chosen. The software takes you into a captive Sketcher environment. 4. Draw the sketch shown below. Make sure that the arc is tangent both to the line you sketched and to the side edge of the part as shown in the figure. o Arc radius: 1 mm o Line length: 30 mm
5. Exit the Sketcher. You see a wireframe preview of the contour flange. If necessary, double-click the drag handle to reverse the direction of the flange so that it looks like the picture below.
6. Use the width drag handle or the entry box to set the width of the flange to 75 mm, as shown below.
The Bend dialog displays, and the software defaults to face selection for the sketch plane. 2. Select the face highlighted in the figure below as the placement face for the sketch.
3. Create a single line sketch as shown in the figure below. This horizontal line stretches from beyond the part edge across the bend region on the first flange. It's positioned 30 mm from the top edge.
4. Click on the flag to complete the sketch. You see two directional handles and one angle handle. Double-click on the directional arrows (if necessary) so that they point as shown in the figure.
5. Set the angle of the bend to 45 degrees by either dragging the handle or typing in the entry box. Complete the bend by clicking OK.
Notice how the software rips the bend region of the original flange because the new bend feature intersects it. Rather than giving you an error, the software assumes you want this result and rips those bend regions automatically.
The Unbend dialog displays. The first thing you have to specify in the Unbend dialog box is a planar face to stay stationary. All the bending operations happen around that face and that face will be anchored in space. 2. Pick the face as shown in the graphic below.
2. Select the flattened bend region face as the placement face. 3. Create a hole as shown in the following figure: o Diameter: 25 mm o Distance from end of flange web: 32 mm o Distance from the side of the bend region, at the bottom: 40 mm
2. Select the bend region that you wish to bend again, as shown below. Because the bend region was cut into two pieces by the hole, you can select either piece of the original bend region. The software treats the two separate pieces as a whole.
Rebend gives you a preview of the operation where the original unbent solid turns transparent and the preview is solid.
To create a flat solid, you need to click on two items in the graphics window. The first is a planar reference face, and the second is a linear reference edge. These references allow you to position the flat solid body for export to a machining tool. If you enable Move to Absolute CSYS, the placement and X-axis references that you selected are used to reposition the Flat Solid body at the absolute coordinate system. If you disable it, the reference face of Flat Solid feature is held stationary. The images below show this. In each image, the pink face is the selected reference face and the blue solid is the resulting Flat Solid body. In the first image, the option is disabled; in the second, it is enabled.
Flat Solid is always applied to the end of the model tree, so it's always at the last feature in timestamp order, unless you create a Flat Pattern (which is always after Flat Solid). Any changes made to the 3D formed model are automatically reflected in the Flat Solid, and in the Flat Pattern as well. To create a Flat Pattern feature: 1. Click Flat Pattern .
2. Sketch a profile arc that has an included angle of slightly less than 360 degrees. There must be a slight gap where the ends of the rolled material meet, or the part won't unbend.
Keep this in mind when defining the material side for the contour flange. Make sure the material thickness doesn't cause the gap to close. 3. Set the width of the contour flange.
After you've constructed the contour flange, you can unroll it using the Unbend command. 1. Click Unbend .
2. When prompted to select a non-thickness face or linear edge, select one of the edges of the part, as shown.
3. When prompted to select bends, click anywhere on the body of the part.
4. If the Preview button is selected, you see the unrolled state of the part.
You can add features, such as a pattern of holes, to the flattened part, then use the Rebend command to re-roll the part. Then you can fill the small gap by adding a protrusion.
3. When you exit the sketch, you get a solid preview of the Louver feature. Change the End Options to Formed-End Louver. Use a Depth value of 5 and a Width value of 10.
5. To apply an Instance feature to the Louver, you have to include it in a Feature Set. From the menu, choose FormatGroup Features. Notice that the Louver feature is included in the list of features available to group. 6. Choose the Louver from the list and give it a logical unique name. (We chose LouverGroup(7) because the Louver feature name was SB Louver (7).) Click the right arrow (Add) to add the Louver to the Feature Set. Once you've created the Feature Set with the Louver in it, you can instance the Feature Set. 7. Choose InsertAssociative CopyInstance. 8. Choose LouverGroup(7) as the feature set to instance. Create an instance set with three copies along the X-axis at a distance (Offset) of 80 mm apart, and three copies along the Y-axis at a distance (Offset) of 30 mm apart. (Depending on how your part is aligned with the XC and YC axes, you may have to make one or both of the Offset values negative.)
You can use this same technique when instancing Dimple, Bead, and Drawn Cutout features. You can also use it to instance Flange features as well, but you need to be careful when positioning instanced flanges so that they Boolean to the base solid properly.
4. Create a square sketch on that face with side lengths of 50 mm and fillets in the corners with radii of 3 mm.
5. Create an Extrude-Subtract feature using the sketch and extending it through the entire part.
Notice that the cut in the center section of the part didn't maintain uniform thickness because the thickness faces aren't perpendicular to the top and bottom faces.
6. Undo the Extrude feature and create a Normal Cutout using the same sketch. Make sure that the Direction vector points to the interior of the sketch, and drag the Depth handle so that the cut extends through the entire part.
Notice that the cuts made in the center region of the part now maintain their uniform thickness, as would be expected on a sheet metal part.
7. Create an Extrude-Create feature using the same sketch as before. Extend the Extrude through the entire part. Notice how the cut made in the center region by the Normal Cutout left enough room for the extrusion to pierce the part without interfering with the sheet metal solid.
Making cuts like these while the model is in the formed state is useful when creating your part within the context of an assembly. When other bodies need to intersect your sheet metal part, you can simply use wave-linked bodies and intersection curves as inputs to the Normal Cutout feature to create voids in your part that are the proper size for the other bodies to extend through.
If you specify a part thickness of 3 units and a thickness direction towards the outside of the section, the result would be as shown in the following graphic.
However, if you specify a part thickness of 3 units and a thickness direction towards the inside of the section, the result would be as shown in the following graphic.
Notice how in the interior corners the model has degenerated and four blend faces from the first example are now missing. To create the feature properly, the software must have both an interior and exterior face for those corner regions. The situation illustrated above would be an error condition, and the software would be unable to create a Dimple or Drawn Cutout in this situation. Louvers The Louver feature has a similar restriction on the profile. Once again, this restriction is due to the disappearance of a face in the model. Suppose we have a dimple profile that is 50 units long and 15 units wide, as shown below.
If we increase the Width of the Louver to 20 units, the face between the two radii on the sides becomes smaller. If we increase the radius to 24 units, it becomes even smaller still.
Finally, when the Width becomes one-half the length of the section sketch, the face disappears and we get a degenerate model. This is an error condition, and the Louver feature won't build.
So, when creating a Louver, make sure that the Width is less than one-half of the section sketch line.
Circular Bead The Circular Bead feature has restrictions on the height in relation to the radius. To maintain a circular section, the height of the feature must not exceed the radius. Otherwise, new faces would have to be added, and the feature would then become a U-Shaped Bead instead of a Circular Bead.
U-Shaped Bead The U-Shaped Bead feature has restrictions on the rounding you can apply to it. It's possible to supply values that prevent the rounding from being applied. It's a little harder to create this error condition than the previous examples, but certain combinations of Side Angle, Width, Part Thickness, and Depth may result in a condition where the rounding fails. This condition is fairly rare, however, and a simple adjustment of any of these values should correct the problem.
2. Create another sketch on a parallel plane at a distance of 200 mm. This sketch should be an arc with the ends at each endpoint of the original sketch. Drag to find the third point of the arc where the ends of the sketch are both tangent to the two side curves on the original sketch, as shown below.
and select the square section as the Start Section. Select 3. Click Lofted Flange one endpoint of the section as the start point, as shown below.
4. Select the arc section as the End Section, and the endpoint of that sketch shown below as the end point. You should get a semi-solid preview of the part.
Tips and techniques for lofted flanges When creating sections for a Lofted Flange, ensure that they contain the same number of elements whenever possible. When creating transitions such as the square-to-round transition above, this isnt possible. However, transitions for sections with similar shapes, such as square-to-square, must contain matched elements. Unlike Contour Flange, where you can allow the software to create the bend regions according to the default bend radius, you should include the bend radii in the section sketches for the Lofted Flange. Bend regions for the start and end sections usually have different radii. When including radii in your section sketches as fillets, those radii must be larger than the part thickness if you want them to define the outer bend region faces. If your radii are too small, you won't see a solid preview, and the feature won't be created. The two sections used in the Lofted Flange feature must be created on parallel planes, and any line segments that are mapped to each other must be parallel. This is
Two arcs of the same radius are lofted into a cylindrical bend region.
Two arcs of differing radii are lofted into a conical bend region.
A line can also loft into a point to create a triangular planar section. However, this can only happen in conjunction with other section curves. A simple set of sketches consisting of a line and a point won't create a Lofted Flange.
An arc can also loft into a point to create a conical section. Once again, this can only happen in conjunction with other section curves.
If the two profiles have the same number and type of elements, and each element on the first profile maps to the same element type on the second profile (line to line, or arc to arc), in most cases, you can flatten the lofted flange. Ruled surface examples Any lofted flange that contains a ruled B-surface can't be flattened. A B-surface face is constructed when: The start and end section lines have a different relative angle. Two section arcs have different start angles, end angles, or total angles. An arc is mapped to a line.
2. Create a Flat Pattern feature using the Flat Solid feature as the base body. 3. Enter the Drafting application and create views of the formed solid part.
4. Click Base View and choose FLAT-PATTERN from the list of available views. 5. Add the flat pattern view just as you would any other part view.
Essentials and EditRedo Advanced Redo General Datums Essentials and and Points list Advanced Essentials and InsertSheet Metal Advanced FeatureFlange Flange Essentials and InsertSheet Metal Advanced FeatureHem Flange Hem Flange Essentials and InsertSheet Metal Advanced FeatureBend Bend Essentials and InsertSheet Metal Advanced FeatureJog Jog Resize list Essentials and Advanced Essentials and InsertSheet Metal Advanced FeatureResize Bend Radius
Moved next to Sketch on the NX Sheet Metal toolbar. Moved to the Flange list on the NX Sheet Metal toolbar.
Moved to the Flange list. Not available by default on the NX Sheet Metal toolbar. Moved to the Flange list. Not available by default on the NX Sheet Metal toolbar. Added to the NX Sheet Metal toolbar. Added to the Resize list on the NX Sheet Metal toolbar.
Essentials and Advanced Essentials and InsertSheet Metal Advanced FeatureFlat Solid
Added to the NX Sheet Metal toolbar. Moved to the Flats list on the NX Sheet Metal toolbar.
Flat Solid