Let s start with the rules of sheet metal.
Folding sheet metal inventor.
Many software packages like solid works inventor and solid edge will let you incorporate a bend allowance chart into its calculations when developing flat patterns.
Autodesk inventor allows for converting models to sheet metal.
Click the bend line to use for the fold.
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A fold on a sheet metal face forms about a straight sketched bend line that terminates at face edges.
On the ribbon click sheet metal tab create panel fold.
Which means regardless where the model geometry originates you can convert it to sheet metal add sheet metal features and generate the flat pattern.
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Unlike the bend flange contour flange or hem features which all add material to the design the fold feature does not add material.
Creating a chart with your standard values is a key component of speeding up this process.
The bend line must be placed on the face you are folding and must terminate at face edges.
Click to indicate whether the line defines the centerline start or end of the bend.
3d cad files are converted into machine code which controls a machine to precisely cut and form the sheets into the final part.
Sheet metal fabrication is the process of forming parts from a metal sheet by punching cutting stamping and bending.
In fold location click one of the following to specify.
Click the bend line to use for the fold.
Rule 1 you must have a consistent thickness.
Unfortunately sheet metal bending is not always going to be the same in every shop.
On the ribbon click sheet metal tab create panel fold.
Use the fold angle to set the bend angle and the bend radius to override the radius set by the sheet metal styles if required.
Total project time approximately 20 minutes.
The advantage to using folds over flanges is no material is added by adding.
Before you begin download the step by step guide pdf.
Use the fold command to fold a sheet metal face about a sketched line.