#Solidworks tube bending software#
#Solidworks tube bending series#

It was one of the most original methods used to solve this challenge.Дark started by building both bends in the same plane.ДЇigure 9 вЂ“ So far, standard Sheet Metal functionality. The second solution was submitted by Ryan Dark. Solution #2 вЂ“ Using the Move Face (Rotate) Feature Unfortunately, one of the bend lines will be missing and no bend notes will be added on the drawing.ДЇigure 8 вЂ“ BjornвЂ™s Solution вЂ“ using an Unfold feature to replace the Flat-Pattern feature. Therefore, the Combine feature will create a flat solid body. When the same feature is unsuppressed, the copy of the first body is also flattened. When the Unfold feature is suppressed, the model is bent. In order to generate a Flat Pattern Configuration, Hulman added an Unfold feature, right after the Base Flange, and completely ignored the Flat Pattern feature. There is still a problem when attempting to flatten this part. The bodies need to be fused together, so Hulman used the Combine-Add feature.ДЇigure 6 вЂ“ Notice that the edges around the origin disappeared. Each body can be independently flattened. Notice that at this point, there are two solid bodies in this model. Next, Hulman used the Copy Body feature to get the model shown in Figure 5. He was able to create the model with only four features and found a subtle way to flatten it.ДЇirst, he created the base flange shown in Figure 4. The first solution was submitted by Bjorn Hulman. One solution, in particular, was to вЂњtrickвЂќ SOLIDWORKS into changing the direction of the thickness inside the same part. We were able to prove again that the talent on the SOLIDWORKS Forum transcends the limitations in the software. What better place to ask these questions and turn them into challenges than the SOLIDWORKS Forum? There were 109 replies to this Weekly Power-User Challenge on the forum, with multiple solutions for all above challenges. A base flange or an edge flange could be used, as expected.ДЄttempting to apply a second edge bend, normal to the plan created by the first bend-along, what is in effect, the thickness direction-will trigger the warning shown in Figure 3.ДЇigure 3 вЂ“ Warning when attempting to add a bend along the thickness.

#Solidworks tube bending software#

When attempting to create the part shown in Figure 1, the limitation in the current version of the software becomes visible: a bend can be applied only normal to the sheet thickness.ДЄpplying the first bend is no problem, as shown in Figure 2.

After all, sheet metal parts with complex shapes can be bent and flatten at will. When faced with this problem, experienced SOLIDWORKS users think first about the Sheet Metal functionality. If you need this functionality, please vote on this SPR and ask all your colleagues and friends to do so.ДЇigure 1 вЂ“ Example of a square profile bent in multiple directions. It has been submitted as an Enhancement Request under SPR 542568: It should be possible to unfold a bent tube like a SHM part. This has been pointed out to us multiple times by our customers. SOLIDWORKS does not have built-in functionality for flattening-unbending, straightening-bent structural members.

#Solidworks tube bending series#

The first and second articles in this series are still available to read. This is the third installment of the SOLIDWORKS Power User Challenges (SWPUC).