a few lofted bends in sheet metal

[torren]

Hi, I am very new to solid works and CAD in general. I
have a shape which I would like an accurate sheet metal
cut pattern for I have tried a few ways of trying to
easily make the item using the sheet metal features
without much luck I have thrown together a quick 3d model
so that you can see the shape.The front and rear radii
are offset from each other
View attachment 5954
basically needs wrapping on top face


Would solid works work this out for me or would i have to
do a separate sheet metal part for each loft, flatten and
then mate each sheet metal part while flattened?

Thanks,
Simon

 

[torren]

Another shot of the part in sheet metal which I am unable
to unfold. I have not drawn on the tabs on each side yet
View attachment 5955

 

[patn]

Hello Torren,


Here is a quick example of what you could try.


2012-03-18_145306_test-loft.zip


However, verify the flat since SolidWorks doesn't make great flats from lofted bends.


1. Use the Lofted Bends feature to make the major shape


View attachment 5956





2. then trim away with a standard cut-extrude.


View attachment 5957





3.After that, you should be able to add edge flanges to the flat tabs.


View attachment 5958

Edited by: patn

 

[torren]

Thanks for the reply on this,that is the method that I
attempted however after step one it would not allow me to
unfold the shape saying that "this part contains features
which can not be unbent.
It also displays my bend as 5 different freeform bends
under the same loft.
I am unable to open the file to see your method as I am
using solid works 2010.

 

[Mihail]

@torren.
I have had the same problem when I have trying to design the part.
So I think that the better approach is what you suggest in first post:
"do a separate sheet metal part for each loft, flatten and
then mate each sheet metal part while flattened"


Edited by: Mihail