Search found 13 matches

by Brian Hiebert
Thu Jul 18, 2024 8:39 pm
Forum: SW General
Topic: Round Holes in Curved Sheet Metal, Unfold or not?
Replies: 19
Views: 4072

Re: Round Holes in Curved Sheet Metal, Unfold or not?

I don't use "assembly cut" unless it's part of production process. I use Master Sketch, so I'll have holes center locations already in Master Sketch. A pattern with equation to drive number of holes is probably what I'll use. Cut one hole and pattern along. Normal cut supposed to retain t...
by Brian Hiebert
Thu Jul 18, 2024 8:37 pm
Forum: SW General
Topic: Lofted Bend/Fold/Unfold Is it Me or SW creating an error
Replies: 3
Views: 1632

Re: Lofted Bend/Fold/Unfold Is it Me or SW creating an error

I design conical sheet metals quite much and I never unfold it. I make holes and cuts in bent state so they will be normal cut. That half cone your image shows I would do as follows: 1. Make the the cone with lofted bend 2. Hole wizard holes, 3 pcs 3. Circular pattern then holes Why? Because the ho...
by Brian Hiebert
Thu Jul 18, 2024 7:14 pm
Forum: SW General
Topic: Cutting Scrap because of SW glitches?
Replies: 7
Views: 1124

Re: Cutting Scrap because of SW glitches?

What software are you using that you need to use a DXF/DWG file? We recently purchased and Amada laser and can directly import a solidworks solid model into it avoiding any exporting. It makes the entire process so much easier. If I am exporting to a DXF/DWG file I always make sure the output 1:1 i...
by Brian Hiebert
Wed Jul 17, 2024 4:31 pm
Forum: SW General
Topic: Cutting Scrap because of SW glitches?
Replies: 7
Views: 1124

Cutting Scrap because of SW glitches?

Not sure what is happening. This is the second time I've had errors in cut parts due to a drawing not updating before exporting DXF files. Last time it happened was due to a scaling issue and several parts exported at the wrong scale. this time one random part had a set of holes that are .5" cl...
by Brian Hiebert
Tue Jul 02, 2024 11:10 pm
Forum: SW General
Topic: Lofted Bend/Fold/Unfold Is it Me or SW creating an error
Replies: 3
Views: 1632

Re: Lofted Bend/Fold/Unfold Is it Me or SW creating an error

Issue I have is by doing that the elliptical hole in flat state creates other issues in nesting/ plasma cutting so prefer holes to be true round in flat state, in parts we do it would not be a noticeable difference in Bent state.
by Brian Hiebert
Mon May 20, 2024 3:03 pm
Forum: SW General
Topic: Lofted Bend/Fold/Unfold Is it Me or SW creating an error
Replies: 3
Views: 1632

Lofted Bend/Fold/Unfold Is it Me or SW creating an error

Just finished a very simple Lofted Bend. image.png I really don't know how to create these kind of parts without a lofted bend but OH MY. Me and Lofted Bends..... seems to be a high maintenance relationship.... So create geometry, Unfold, Draw some holes, create sketch pattern, Go for lunch, come ba...
by Brian Hiebert
Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:59 am
Forum: SW General
Topic: Round Holes in Curved Sheet Metal, Unfold or not?
Replies: 19
Views: 4072

Re: Round Holes in Curved Sheet Metal, Unfold or not?

Now for the future, I did a little experimenting.... If I created the 3 or 4 sheet metal parts that have to have aligned hole patterns as ONE multibody part I can use ONE sketch to cut holes through them all. It appears like it is possible, however each body has to unfolded and folded separately. As...
by Brian Hiebert
Sat Apr 20, 2024 11:45 am
Forum: SW General
Topic: Round Holes in Curved Sheet Metal, Unfold or not?
Replies: 19
Views: 4072

Re: Round Holes in Curved Sheet Metal, Unfold or not?

l really don't care what shape the holes are. But my plasma does. If in flat pattern export it's not round, my Plasma software sees it as a bunch of little lines and treats it differently. Had an issue just now with exporting 3 of my parts. Some were perfect and some exported the holes as not round....
by Brian Hiebert
Wed Apr 10, 2024 7:07 pm
Forum: SW General
Topic: Round Holes in Curved Sheet Metal, Unfold or not?
Replies: 19
Views: 4072

Re: Round Holes in Curved Sheet Metal, Unfold or not?

A few questions: Are holes cut on the flat? So they're not "true round" after forming? Are the plate thick enough that after forming/rolling the bolt won't go through? If so, need to cut oblong instead of round hole. Holes are cut with CNC plasma. Sheet is not that thick that forming make...
by Brian Hiebert
Tue Apr 09, 2024 4:37 pm
Forum: SW General
Topic: Round Holes in Curved Sheet Metal, Unfold or not?
Replies: 19
Views: 4072

Re: Round Holes in Curved Sheet Metal, Unfold or not?

I don't use "assembly cut" unless it's part of production process. I use Master Sketch, so I'll have holes center locations already in Master Sketch. A pattern with equation to drive number of holes is probably what I'll use. Cut one hole and pattern along. Normal cut supposed to retain t...
by Brian Hiebert
Thu Oct 13, 2022 11:49 am
Forum: SW General
Topic: Round Holes in Curved Sheet Metal, Unfold or not?
Replies: 19
Views: 4072

Re: Round Holes in Curved Sheet Metal, Unfold or not?

I assume you know where the holes need to be in the formed state. For such cases I do something like this: •In formed state, make tiny triangular holes with point at hole center. •Capture hole centers and surface normals with 3D sketch •Unfold •Make holes •Fold I wondered if this would be an option...
by Brian Hiebert
Wed Oct 12, 2022 5:49 pm
Forum: SW General
Topic: Round Holes in Curved Sheet Metal, Unfold or not?
Replies: 19
Views: 4072

Re: Round Holes in Curved Sheet Metal, Unfold or not?

Do you use the hole wizard for the pattern? It should work on a 3D surface: https://www.javelin-tech.com/blog/2020/06/solidworks-hole-wizard-3d-sketch/ I have never used hole wizard. Could SW do "Cut normal to"? That will cut hole on bend which stay round when flatten. https://www.goengin...
by Brian Hiebert
Tue Oct 11, 2022 4:04 pm
Forum: SW General
Topic: Round Holes in Curved Sheet Metal, Unfold or not?
Replies: 19
Views: 4072

Round Holes in Curved Sheet Metal, Unfold or not?

We design and build large conical hoppers. My current models use an SSP and equations to drive most of the variables. It's created in sections and patterned around. The panels overlap on each side and then bolt to another piece so my hole patterns must fit through at least two different parts. I've ...