Sheet Metal Parameters

[MatthewJB19904]

Have anyone had any luck trying to drive the sheet metal parameters with relations? For instance - SMT_DFLT_BEND_RADIUS is a standard parameter in the list. I want to drive that parameter with a relation of table. Since the pulldown shows "thickness","thickness*2" & "by parameter". Since each material type and thickness comes with its own inside bend radius is it possible to drive this parameter with a relation... perhaps just a IF statement.

EX - IF MATERIAL=="18/4"
SMT_DFLT_BEND_RADIUS=.03
(and so on for other materials)

This way I don't have to key it in when making walls. Its calculated the same way a bend table calculates the developed length.

I have not been successful yet. Anyone have any ideas?

Matthew

 

[Walt Weiss]

Yes.

I'm going about it a little differently, using sheet
metal start parts...

I have these relations:
SMT_THICKNESS = STOCK
SMT_DFLT_BEND_RADIUS = BEND_RAD
/*BEND_ALLOWANCE = /*select dimension after feature
created
/*BEND_ANGLE = 90 /*or select dimension after feature
created
PERIMETER = (PRO_MP_AREA-2*(PRO_MP_VOLUME/SMT_THICKNESS
))/SMT_THICKNESS

I have these parameters set up which I enter the values
into as I am creating the new file/part:
STOCK
BEND_RAD
V_OPENING

When I create a new sheet metal part, I deselect Use
Default Template, then select OK.
This opens a New File Options dialog which allows me to
Browse to select which start part I want, as well as
see/enter values into the parameters I have defined in
the part. I already have start parts for various sheet
metal thicknesses & materials with the data entered for
common situations but if I need to do something
different, this dialog gives me the visibility to do so.

After I sketch my first Extrude feature, I select the
Options tab and check Add bends on sharp edges - note
don't sketch the radii in the sketch, just use straight
lines - for the Radius, if you have everything set up,
you should see the bend radius you set up in the start
part in brackets, e.g. [0.167]

We design & fabricate sheet metal here.
Not to get into a long discussion of bend radii, but they
are a function of the bending process & the material. If
you are air bending, the bend radius is a function of the
V-Opening of the die. If you are using a Rolla-Vee the
bend radius is equal to the punch radius. Generally, the
minimum bend radius should be >= material thickness, but
some materials crack and need larger bend radii. Yes, you
can specify a smaller bend radius than material
thickness, but then the existing bend tables (1, 2, 3)
will not give you accurate bend allowances and your flat
patterns will be off.

 

[MatthewJB19904]

I understand what you're doing but unfortunately it doesn't apply to my
situation. We also design and fabricate on site for sheet metal. Since
we air bend we have a calculated bend radius based on our gauges. It
appears there is no way to separate the sheetmetal thickness from the
inside radius based on the gauge of metal using the preset parameters.
When I write the relations out I can automatically calculate and
transfer the gauge to SMT parameter but when trying to pass the inside
bend radius value it will no longer allow me to select an edge when
creating a wall. I am looking to make the catch-all utility sheet metal
start part so that all I need to do is key in the material type such
18/4 or 16/3 and such.



Matthew