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Table of Contents
Pro/SHEETMETAL............................................................................................ 1
Welcome to Pro/SHEETMETAL........................................................................ 1
Bend Tables..........................................................................................11
vii
Table of Contents
viii
Table of Contents
feat_place_follow_unbend ......................................................................37
initial_bend_y_factor .............................................................................37
merge_smt_srfs_without_seam...............................................................37
pro_sheet_met_dir ................................................................................37
pro_smt_params_dir .............................................................................38
punch_axis_points.................................................................................38
smt_bend_notes_dflt_display..................................................................38
smt_bend_notes_direction_down ............................................................38
smt_bend_notes_direction_up ................................................................38
smt_bend_notes_order ..........................................................................39
smt_bend_notes_type_formed ................................................................39
smt_bend_notes_type_rolled ..................................................................39
smt_crn_rel_display ..............................................................................39
smt_mp_method ...................................................................................39
smt_outside_mold_lines .........................................................................40
system_sheetmetal_color .......................................................................40
template_sheetmetalpart .......................................................................40
Conversion ..............................................................................................43
ix
Table of Contents
Wall .......................................................................................................48
Flat .....................................................................................................50
To Create a Flat Wall Without a Bend With Flat Angle Specified .................51
To Create a Flat Wall Without a Bend With Bend Angle Specified ...............52
Swept ...............................................................................................58
Extruded ...........................................................................................64
Revolve................................................................................................70
Blend...................................................................................................71
Offset ..................................................................................................77
Advanced .............................................................................................77
x
Table of Contents
To Import a Blend...............................................................................79
Helical Sweep.....................................................................................97
xi
Table of Contents
xii
Table of Contents
Reports................................................................................................. 155
xiii
Table of Contents
xiv
Pro/SHEETMETAL
Welcome to Pro/SHEETMETAL
Pro/SHEETMETAL is an optional module of Pro/Engineer. It enables you to design
basic and complex parts in sheet metal. You can:
• Design sheet metal parts defining the volume and support structures for the
components of an assembly.
• Add sheet metal-specific features like walls, bends, cuts, punches, notches, and
forms in either the formed or flat condition.
• Create Bend Order tables that specify the order, bend radius and bend angle
used for manufacturing.
• Make Drawings of the sheet metal part, incorporating Dimensions, Bend Order
tables, Flat Patterns and fully designed parts.
Using Pro/SHEETMETAL
Sheet metal parts are solid models that can be represented in either the sheet metal
form or a flat model.
The parts have a constant thickness and can be modified with features. A sampling
of features includes walls, cuts, rips, bends, and corner relief. You can also get
information about the part, calculate its mass and analyze the engineering.
The sheet metal parts have driving and offset surfaces. The side (depth) surfaces are
formed only after successful regeneration. To aid viewing, the driving side is
highlighted in green by default and the offset side is white (indicates thickness).
Because of the general thinness of a sheet metal part, it is recommended to select
flat surfaces as references when placing a feature. If a flat surface is not applicable,
edges are more convenient than side surfaces.
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SheetmetalDesign - Help Topic Collection
• Walls, cuts, rips, notches, punches, bends, unbends, bend backs, forms, and
corner relief.
• Selected solid-class features applicable to sheet metal (chamfer, hole, round) are
also available.
A sheet metal unattached wall must be the first feature in your design. After you
create the wall you can add any other features to your design. You do not have to
create them in manufacturing order, rather, you should create them with your design
intent in mind.
When creating features it is recommended to select flat surfaces as references when
placing a feature. If a flat surface is not applicable, edges are more convenient than
side surfaces.
Note: You can utilize solid features, including patterns, copy/mirror, chamfers,
holes, rounds, and solid cuts when creating your sheet metal designs.
4. In the Name box, type a name for your new sheet metal part.
5. If you want to use the default template, click OK. Pro/ENGINEER opens a new
sheet metal part.
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Pro/SHEETMETAL
a. Clear Use default template and click OK. The New File Options dialog
box opens.
b. Browse to the desired template. Click OK. The template file is assigned and
Pro/ENGINEER opens a new sheet metal part.
Note: If an object type is not supported by a template the Use default
template option is not available. For template-supported file types, if you always
want to see the New File Options dialog box, set the
force_new_file_options_dialog configuration option to Yes. Remember, this
configuration setting may be overridden by your system administrator in the
config.sup file.
Then you do not need to add material to your wall later in the design process. If
you change the sketch you have to delete the thicken. Thicken is not used for
Flat walls. Be sure to double check your dimensions to make sure they are
located in the appropriate locations after the thicken.
1 Sketch line
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SheetmetalDesign - Help Topic Collection
2. Once you are in sketch mode, create the sketch of the wall section.
3. Click Sketch > Feature Tools > Thicken. Offset edges automatically add to
your sheet metal wall sketch. At this point, consider converting the system
dimensions to strong dimensions to insure that your dimensioning scheme is
correct.
Option A Option B
1 Create the cut before the bend. 3 Create the cut after the bend and
unbend.
2 When a bend is created new
surfaces result. The cut surface 4 When you bend back the wall the
stays in the old surface location. cut section stays with the cut
features.
4
Pro/SHEETMETAL
Option A Option B
• See the Part Modeling module for instructions on creating solid class features
using the Dashboard.
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SheetmetalDesign - Help Topic Collection
You can customize the sheet metal toolbar with other Pro/ENGINEER commands and
your own map-keys (Utilities > Customize Screen) by dragging the desired
buttons onto the toolbar. You can turn the toolbar on/off using the Toolbars tab
options.
The following table lists the sheet metal shortcut buttons according to their default
location on the toolbar.
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Pro/SHEETMETAL
• Reorder features, and ultimately change the dynamic of your sheet metal design
by dragging features to various locations.
• Access shortcut menus that enable you to easily create and modify your design.
The shortcut menu may include commands to:
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SheetmetalDesign - Help Topic Collection
You can customize what and how features display in the Model Tree by clicking the
Show and Settings tabs.
Setting Up Pro/SHEETMETAL
• Document the order in which to make bends on the finished design by setting the
bend order.
• Create a flat version, or state, of your sheet metal design for manufacturing by
setting flat state.
• Create corner reliefs automatically while unbending your sheet metal part by
setting corner relief.
Note: The set up commands are only available from Menu Manager.
8
Pro/SHEETMETAL
Accurate developed length calculations enable you to capture your design intent in
the solid model while also developing a precise flattened model that manufacturers
can use when developing the actual product. Make it a practice to determine, in
advance, how you calculate developed length.
Use one of the following to calculate the developed length in your designs:
• System default equation—Calculate the developed length using only a Y- or K-
factor.
If you do not assign a customized bend table to your part, the following equation is
used to calculate developed length:
Π= 3.145
R= Inside radius
T= Material thickness
Note: If your developed length calculation is inaccurate, you can override the
inaccurate value by directly modifying the value or by assigning a unique bend table
to your design.
If you are setting either the Y- or the K-factor and a bend table is already set for
the part, the CONFIRMATION menu appears. You must discard the bend table.
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SheetmetalDesign - Help Topic Collection
6. Either select a value from those available or click Enter and type a new value for
the factor.
7. Click Yes to accept the changed factor and full part regeneration. The factor is
set.
Where:
= Distance between the inside radius of the bend and the sheet metal edge
R = Bend radius
10
Pro/SHEETMETAL
• Configuration option—Initialize the Y-factor for new sheet metal parts using
the INITIAL_BEND_Y_FACTOR configuration option. After you re-load the
configuration file, all new sheet metal parts use the new value. The configuration
option does not change the default value for the existing part's Y-factor.
If applicable, you can to use both the Y-factor equation and a bend table when
designing a sheet metal part. However, you cannot use both on the same feature.
Note: For stretched bends δ is negative, the neutral layer stays out of the sheet
metal thickness, causing the Y- and K-factors to be negative.
Negative Y-factor
Where:
R = Bend radius
Bend Tables
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SheetmetalDesign - Help Topic Collection
Three standard bend tables are available from the Machinery’s Handbook, 23rd
Edition:
You can also define your own tables to support additional material types and
methods for calculating developed length.
Bend tables consist of:
• Formula—Manages the bend allowance or developed length values with
calculations and logic statements. The formula that is used, that is, L = (Π/2 x R
+ Y factor x T) Θ/90, is defined by Pro/ENGINEER and is used only for radius and
thickness values outside the table data range.
The following example illustrates an equation for specific bend angle ranges:
If ANGLE > 0 or ANGLE < = 90, a known parameter is used to compute the
developed length.
12
Pro/SHEETMETAL
Where,
T = Thickness
R = Bend Radius
A = Bend Allowance
The known parameters that are used to calculate the developed length are:
X = T + R +b
Y=T+R+a
SFLAT = a + b + L
By substitution:
a + b + L = (T + R + b) + (T + R + a) - A
OR,
FORMULA
IF R<=2
ENDIF
ENDIF
ENDIF
IF R>2
ENDIF
END FORMULA
CONVERSION
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SheetmetalDesign - Help Topic Collection
L = 2 * (T + R) - .4285 * A
ELSE
L = 2 * (T + R) - .3567917 * A
ENDIF
END CONVERSION
The following is the equation for the Interpolation Method used for computing
bend allowance:
Ay = -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------
(T1-T0)*(R1-R0)
Where,
Ay = -----------------------------
(R1 - R0)
Ay = ------------------------------
(T1 -T0)
Where,
T = Thickness
R = Radius
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Pro/SHEETMETAL
Note: The materials list is case-sensitive. Ensure that your part's material type
matches the case in the materials list.
• Table Data—Lists radii values and sheet metal thickness with their
corresponding bend allowance or developed length. The bend table needs at least
one column and one row of tabulated data. You do not have to insert bend
allowance data in every cell of the table. Any value not found in the table data is
interpolated. If you only want the formulae used, specify data that will never be
encountered in your design (Radius = 1000, Thickness = 1000).
Bend tables are, and should be, created for 90° bends. For bends other than 90°, the
values are multiplied by Θ/90, where Θ is the specific bend angle, in degrees.
Remember, bend tables are only applicable for constant-radius bends. Bends with a
varying radius, such as a cone, swept wall, hem or cylinder, calculate developed
length using the Y-factor.
You can set bend tables at any time. However, once a part is associated with a bend
table, its geometry depends on that bend table’s data. Every time the part is
regenerated the associated bend table is referenced for appropriate length values. If
you modify a bend table, all parts associated with it are updated upon regeneration.
If you create your own library of bend tables, set the configuration option
pro_sheet_met_directory_<pathname> to the appropriate folder. If you specify a
bend table name, then Pro/ENGINEER searches this bend table in your current
working directory and in the folder specified by this configuration option.
You have two options when setting a bend table for a part:
• From Part—Internal bend table stored into your part. The internal bend table
automatically updates if you apply an external bend table in session.
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SheetmetalDesign - Help Topic Collection
Note: You can have internal and external bend tables with the same name. The
content can differ between the table types.
You have two options when setting a bend table for a feature:
• Part Bend Tbl—Reference the bend table associated with the overall part. If no
table is currently set for the part, the Y-factor formula is used.
• Feat Bend Tbl—Reference an independent bend table for the individual feature.
You can select one of the three standard tables or a customized table.
5. Click Edit. The CONFIRMATION menu appears. Note that within a session, you
can only edit bend tables created with, or applied to, the current part.
The TBL NAMES menu appears, listing all the bend tables associated with the
part.
o Table Data—Highlight the cell. Type the new data in the text box. Click the
next cell to edit.
Use the Edit options to edit the bend table. You can add a thickness row or
radius column to the bend table.
10. Click File > Save after entering your data. The bend table is created and writes
out to disk in the current directory.
16
Pro/SHEETMETAL
7. Type the name for the bend table and click . A Pro/TABLE window opens with
an outline table.
8. Type your customized data into the outline table. If you would like to use another
table as your outline, click File > Read from the Pro/TABLE main menu. Then
type the name of the desired file.
9. Click File > Save after typing your data. The bend table is created and writes to
the current directory.
o From Part—Select a From Part bend table from the BTAB TYPE menu. If
a new From Part bend table was not created during the session the default
From Part bend table is TABLE 1. The TBL NAMES menu appears, listing
all bend tables associated with the part.
8. Select the bend table to set. The bend table is applied to the part.
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SheetmetalDesign - Help Topic Collection
6. Click Confirm. The bend table is suspended and the Y-factor is assigned.
6. Select the bend table to write to your part's current directory. A prompt indicates
your file is stored.
Note: You can set your directory with the pro_sheet_met_dir configuration option.
The TBL NAMES menu appears, listing all the bend tables associated with
the part.
18
Pro/SHEETMETAL
5. Click Delete. The TBL NAMES menu appears, listing all bend tables associated
with the part.
6. Select the bend table to delete. The bend table is removed from the part but still
exists in your directory.
Note: You can suspend using a previously set bend table by setting the Y- or K-
factor.
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SheetmetalDesign - Help Topic Collection
1. Formulas—Calculate the developed length of the sheet metal, if the exact value
is missing from the table data section. You can also write conversion formulas to
manipulate the table data to meet your design needs. Your formulas can contain
logic statements to adjust bend allowance values.
20
Pro/SHEETMETAL
2. Material Data—List the materials the bend table is intended for. The materials
listed use the bend table. You receive a warning if your part's material type does
not appear in this list.
Your materials must be listed between START MATERIALS and END MATERIALS.
Enter the material in the first column, uppercase, and one per line.
3. Table Data—List the radii values across the top, sheet metal thickness down the
left side, with the corresponding bend allowance/developed length in the actual
table. The data is pulled directly from these columns. If you only want the
formulae used, enter data that will never be encountered in your design (Radius
= 1000, Thickness = 1000).
4. Interpolated Data—You do not have to insert bend allowance data in every cell
of the table. Any value not found within the table data is interpolated (estimate
values that lie between known values).
Bend Order
• Display the bend order table and write it to a .bot file using the Info command.
• Delete the existing bend order table using the Clear command.
You can display bend order tables in sheet metal drawings to better illustrate the
bending process for manufacturing.
Note: When you store a bend order table, the file name is <partname>.bot.
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SheetmetalDesign - Help Topic Collection
5. Select a plane or edge to remain fixed while the part completely unbends. Your
part flattens and the SHOW/EDIT menu appears.
7. Select the bends for the bend sequence. The sequence can have any number of
bends in any order.
9. Select a plane or edge to remain fixed while the highlighted bends bend back.
10. Repeat steps 6 through 8 until your part is completely bent back.
5. Select a plane or edge to remain fixed while your part completely unbends. Your
part flattens and the bend geometry in bend sequences highlights.
22
Pro/SHEETMETAL
o Delete Bend—Removes a bend from the current sequence. Use this if you
plan to add the bend to a later sequence.
9. Click Done Sel. The bend order table changes are saved.
4. Click Info. The bend order table for the part opens in an INFORMATION
WINDOW.
4. Click Clear. To discard the bend order table, you are prompted to click YES at the
prompt. The existing bend order table is deleted from the part.
• Bend Seq—Display the bend sequence number and orders the bends for
creation.
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• Bend Direction—The bend direction tells which way to make the bend:
IN—Convex bend on the driving side. For example, a bend less than 180° on the
driving side (acute or obtuse).
OUT—Concave bend on the driving side. For example, a bend greater then 180°
on the driving side (oblique).
Fixed Geometry
• Highlight the current fixed geometry selection with the Show command.
• Delete the current fixed geometry selection with the Clear command.
After you set a fixed geometry element it is automatically selected during feature
creation. You are prompted with the following message: Default fixed geometry
highlighted. Use the "Fixed Geom" to select new.
5. Select the surface, edge, or plane to set as the default fixed geometry.
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4. Click Clear. The CONFIRMATION menu appears and the fixed geometry
highlights in red.
Design Rules
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1 2T or 3T or Greater
Where,
R = Bend radius
Min H = 1.5*T+R
1 Slot Height
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The design rules above are standard rules. You cannot add new rules or change the
names of the existing rules. However, you can customize your design rules by
setting up Pro/ENGINEER relations.
After you define and assign a design rules table you can test your part design against
the assigned design rules table with the Design Check command. The design check
displays design rule violations along with the rule name, formula, and dimensional
values to help determine why your criteria was not met. Use your industry
judgement for acceptable and unacceptable design rule violations.
Note:
• You can only check design rules for planar surfaces.
• In order to save the part size, Pro/ENGINEER does not store comments of the
rule table.
• Unassign—Deactivate the design rules table from your part. (It will not be
applied to the part anymore.)
4. Click Define.
5. Type a name for the rule table and click . A Pro/Table window opens a rule
table template listing the default sheet metal rules.
7. Click File > Save after entering your data. The design rules are defined.
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o From Part—Assigns a rule table defined during the part's session. Select a
rule table from the TBL NAMES menu listing all rule tables associated with
the part.
o From File—Assigns a rule table stored in your directory. Select a rule table
from the DATA FILES menu or click Names to navigate to the appropriate
rule table using the Open dialog box.
4. Click Show. The TBL NAMES menu appears, listing all rule tables associated
with the part.
4. Click Write. The TBL NAMES menu appears, listing all rule tables associated
with the part.
6. Type a name for the rule table and click . The rule table writes to your
directory. It has the file extension .rul.
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4. Click Edit. The TBL NAMES menu appears, listing all rule tables associated with
the part.
7. Click File > Save after entering your data. The design rules are redefined.
4. Click Delete. The TBL NAMES menu appears, listing all rule tables associated
with the part.
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The standard rule table contains the following default sheet metal design rules:
• MIN_DIST_BTWN_CUTS—Check the distance between two cuts or punches.
(Default: 5T)
• MIN_CUT_TO BOUND—Check the distance between a part edge and a cut or punch.
(Default: 2T)
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• Save and writes the sheet metal parameter file (.smd) to your directory using the
Save command.
At first glance you may not notice a difference between a default and a parameter,
however the two elements function uniquely:
• Parameter—Hold a numeric value which can be specified in relations and
formulas.
You can set your defaults and parameters when you first open the part, as the part is
in-progress, or by importing an independent .smd parameter file. Remember,
defaults and parameters are saved with your parts but you can change their values
in-session.
Default Description
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Default Description
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Default/Parameter Description
Navigate to the appropriate .smd file. Click OK. The parameters are
retrieved and assigned.
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4. Select the cell to edit. The data highlights and a drop-down menu opens.
o You can select from the drop-down menu or enter specific Value data for
the SMT_MATERIAL, SMT_K_FACTOR, SMT_Y_FACTOR,
SMT_DFLT_BEND_RADIUS, SMT_DFLT_BEND_ANGLE,
SMT_DFLT_CRNR_REL_WIDTH, SMT_DFLT_CRNR_REL_DEPTH,
SMT_DFLT_BEND_REL_DEPTH, SMT_DFLT_BEND_REL_WIDTH, and
SMT_DFLT_BEND_REL_ANGLE parameters.
displays in the Status column if you change the Value column data.
o You can delete a parameter from a Value column cell that originally did not
have data entered. Highlight the cell and press Delete.
6. Click OK to save the parameters with the part - or - to save the parameters
to a directory file.
• With the Part—You can only access them when that part is open.
o Click OK. The parameters are saved and the Sheetmetal Parameters
dialog box closes.
o Enter a file name and Click OK. The parameters are saved.
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The sheet metal defaults and parameters table contains five columns and each
column has default information already set. If the column contains a dash (-) it is not
available.
• Name—List the default or parameter name. Because the name is a symbolic
string, parameter names can be used in relation formulas. Note: You cannot edit
the default or parameter names.
• Attribute—Set how the default or parameter value will be accepted on the Menu
Manager.
o Manual—Requires you to accept the default setting as you work through the
Menu Manager. (Example: Outside Radius highlights on RADIUS SIDE
menu. You must click Done/Return to accept.)
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o Auto—Automatically accepts the default setting and brings you to the next
section of the Menu Manager. (Example: Set SMT_DFLT_RADIUS_SIDE to
Auto to skip the RADIUS SIDE menu.)
• Use the default value unless you manually set the configuration option.
You can set and save multiple combinations of configuration options ( config.pro
file), with each file containing settings unique to certain design projects.
Pro/SHEETMETAL Help lists the configuration options unique to sheet metal designs.
The options are arranged in alphabetical order. Each topic contains the following
information:
• Configuration option name.
• Default and available variables or values. All default values are followed by an
asterisk (*).
2. Click the Show only options loaded from file check box to see currently
loaded configuration options or clear this check box to see all configuration
options. The configuration options display.
3. Select the configuration option from the list or type the configuration option
name in the Option box.
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5. Click Add/Change. The configuration option and its value appear in the list. A
green status icon confirms the change.
Note: We recommend that you set your configuration options before starting a new
sheet metal session.
feat_place_follow_unbend
no, yes
no—The feature placement does not follow the unbend feature.
yes—The feature placement follows the unbend feature.
initial_bend_y_factor
0.500000
The y-factor value is set to 0.500000.
Specify a constant used to determine the neutral bend line for a sheet metal part.
This value is always used for non-regular bends. It is only used for regular bends
when a bend table is not specified.
merge_smt_srfs_without_seam
yes, no
pro_sheet_met_dir
<full directory path>
Set the default directory for your user-defined bend tables. If not set the supplied
Pro/SHEETMETAL bend tables are used.
You must type the <full directory path> in Value box.
For example, c:\program files\ptc\sheet metal projects
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SheetmetalDesign - Help Topic Collection
pro_smt_params_dir
<full directory path>
Specify the directory to save/retrieve sheet metal parameters files. Type the full path
name to avoid problems.
You must type the <full directory path> in Value box. For example, c:\program
files\ptc\sheet metal projects
punch_axis_points
no, yes
no—Disable the creation of punch axis points in sheet metal cuts and punches.
yes—Enable the creation of punch axis points in sheet metal cuts and punches.
Controls the creation of punch axis points in sheet metal cuts and punches.
smt_bend_notes_dflt_display
yes, no
yes—Bend notes display.
no—Bend notes do not display.
Defines the default state of bend note display.
smt_bend_notes_direction_down
default
smt_bend_notes_direction_up
default
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smt_bend_notes_order
&type&direction&angle
&type&direction&angle—Display the bend type first, the bend direction second,
and the bend angle last. Define the order of bend note symbols and values within
your bend notes.
smt_bend_notes_type_formed
default
smt_bend_notes_type_rolled
default
smt_crn_rel_display
yes, no
smt_mp_method
cg, mass, both
cg—Mass Properties calculation is performed on current state of sheet metal part.
mass—Suppressed flat pattern and flat forms are temporary resumed before mass
properties calculation of sheet metal part.
both—Both mass and cg methods are calculated.
Determines whether or not to include suppressed flat patterns and flat forms in your
design's mass properties calculation.
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smt_outside_mold_lines
yes, no
yes—Outside mold lines are created during the flat pattern creation.
no—Outside mold lines are not created during the flat pattern creation.
Determines which mold lines to create during the flat pattern creation.
system_sheetmetal_color
0.000000 0.000000 0.000000
0.000000 0.000000 0.000000— Red=0.00, Green=0.00, Blue=0.00
Specifies the default color in which sheet metal parts are displayed. The three
decimal values specify (in order) a percentage of red, green and blue in the resulting
color. For example, 0 0 49 specifies a medium blue.
template_sheetmetalpart
inlbs_part_sheetmetal.prt, empty, <filename>
inlbs_part_sheetmetal.prt—Use the inlbs_part_sheetmetal.prt file as the default
template.
empty—Do not use a template.
<filename>—Use a specific file as your template.
Specifies the filename of the default sheetmetal part model template. After you set
this option, it takes effect immediately in the current session of Pro/ENGINEER.
Designing in Pro/SHEETMETAL
• Wall—Create the sheet metal material that is the base of your design.
• Form, Flatten Form—Enable you complexly shape the sheet metal and flatten it
for manufacture.
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2. Assemble all the major internal components relative to each other. Include
simple supporting structures, or sheet metal parts that are not completely
defined at this time, to place the components. Less important components can
also wait.
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3. Create or modify the sheet metal parts using the internal components as
references, if required. Those references aid you in adding any support walls,
form features for stiffening panels, and notches or punches for fastening the
components.
4. After the cabinet and supporting structures are defined add any remaining sheet
metal or assembly features.
5. Create and/or select a bend table to provide material allowances when unbending
the part. You could also do this before the first step in the design.
6. In sheet metal mode, create a bend order table to define the bending sequences
for each part.
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7. Add a Flat State instance. This creates your flat pattern for drawing and
manufacturing. The bend table data ensures that the flat pattern’s geometry is
accurate.
8. Creating drawings to document your parts. You can include both the generic (as
designed) part and the Flat State instance (multi-model drawing). Show the
dimensions each model. Then add the bend order table as a note.
Conversion
The basic conversion defines how you want to use the existing solid part in your
sheet metal design. You can either shell out the part, by selecting walls to remove,
or you can assign a driving surface, which is the surface that carries the part’s
geometry (driving side). Block-like parts typically use the shell option to convert to
sheet metal while thin protrusions with constant thickness typically use the driving
surface option. All of the solid part’s geometry is referenced to create the FIRST
WALL in the sheet metal part.
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After you convert the solid part it may still be undevelopable in sheet metal. Creating
a conversion feature using some of the following features enables you to make the
sheet metal part manufacturable:
• Point Relief—Places datum points on edges selected or created asynchronously.
The datum points act as point relief. They can:
o Define a point break that divides an existing edge into two separate edges
that can be partially ripped and partially bent.
• Edge Rips—Makes a rip along the edge, which enables you to unbend your sheet
metal part. Corner edges can be open, blind, or overlapping.
• Rip Connects—Connects rips with planar, straight-line rips. The rip connects are
sketched with point-to-point connections, which require you to define rip
endpoints. The rip endpoints can be datum points or vertices and must either be
at the end of a rip or on the part border. The rip connects cannot be collinear
with existing edges.
• Bends—Converts sharp edges to bends. By default, the inner radius of the bend
is set to the thickness of the sheet metal. When you specify an edge as a rip, all
non-tangential intersecting edges convert to bends when you click OK or
Preview in the dialog box.
If inserting features does not meet your design needs, you can convert a sheet
metal part back to a solid part in the following ways:
• Delete the Conversion Features—Deletes the first sheet metal feature (FIRST
WALL) in the model tree by clicking Edit > Delete. Remember, when you delete
this feature, every feature after it will also delete.
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2. Click Applications > Sheetmetal. The SMT CONVERT menu appears in the
Menu Manager.
• Driving Srf—Select the wall to carry the part’s geometry (driving side of the
part).
o Select the desired driving surface on the part. You are prompted for the
wall thickness.
o Type the wall thickness and click . The FIRST WALL feature is created
and the part opens in sheet metal mode.
o Select one or more surfaces to remove and then click Done Refs. You are
prompted for the wall thickness.
o Type the wall thickness and click . The FIRST WALL feature is created
and the part opens in sheet metal mode.
4. Click on the sheet metal toolbar or click Insert > Conversion. The SMT
CONVERSION dialog box opens.
• Point Reliefs:
o Select an existing datum point or an edge to place the new datum point on.
Actual Len—Enter a value for the actual distance along the edge.
o Click Done Sel > Done after defining all point reliefs. You return to the
SMT CONVERSION dialog box.
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• Edge Rip:
• Select the desired edges to rip using the RIP PIECES menu. If you created
point reliefs, select the edge pieces to rip.
o Click Done Sets. You return to the SMT CONVERSION dialog box.
You can customize the corner type for each edge rip at any time:
o Click Redefine from the RIP PIECES menu. The PIECE SEL menu
appears.
o Select the edge piece to redefine. The RIP PIECES dialog box opens.
o Highlight Corner Type and click Define. The CORNER DEF menu appears.
o Select the desired corner type (Open, Blind, or Overlap) and then click
Done.
• Rip Connect:
o Select the first endpoint for the rip piece. A series of dashed lines radiates
from the rip's first endpoint to possible second endpoints.
o Select the second endpoint of the rip piece from the possible endpoints
identified by a dashed line. The extraneous dashed lines clear and the new
connecting rip line displays.
o Click Done Sets on the RIP CONNECT menu. You return to the SMT
CONVERSION dialog box.
• Bends:
o Click Done Sel > Done Sets after selecting all edges to bend. You return
to the SMT CONVERSION dialog box.
• Corner Reliefs:
o Select the 3D note for each corner needing similar relief. Click Done Sel.
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Enter Value—Use the absolute value that you type in the Enter
dimension value box.
o Click Done Sets after applying all corner relief. You return to the SMT
CONVERSION dialog box.
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Wall
About Walls
A wall is any section of sheet metal material in your design. There are two main
types of walls in Pro/SHEETMETAL:
• Primary walls—Are independent and do not need another wall to exist. Primary
walls can be Unattached, Flat, Extruded, Revolve, Blend, Offset, Variable
Section Sweep, Swept Blend, Helical Sweep, From Boundaries, Blend
Section To Surfaces, Blend Between Surfaces, Blend from File, Blend
Tangent to Surfaces.
If you are designing a part from scratch a primary wall must be your first feature. All
feature options are unavailable until after you create the primary wall. You can then
add any applicable sheet metal and solid-class features to your design.
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When you create secondary walls you have the option of making the wall attached or
unattached. Except for extend walls, secondary walls can either be attached to a
whole edge, or to a portion of the edge (which is a partial wall). An attached
secondary wall can use an:
The unattached wall option enables you to create walls separate from the primary
wall. You could potentially create the side walls before knowing what the middle
section should look like. However, keep in mind that secondary walls are dependent
on the primary wall. If you delete the primary wall the secondary wall will also
delete.
Note: While the unattached wall option resembles an Assembly, it is not. Eventually
you must connect or merge the walls.
Unattached
Sheet metal walls have a constant thickness. The wall's thickness is formed by
offsetting the sheet metal part's offset surface from its driving surface. The side
surfaces form after the part is fully regenerated.
Many sheet metal walls require some kind of relief. Without relief some unwanted
ripping or stretching may occur. Automatic relief is available for walls.
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Types of Walls
The following is a quick-reference to guide you in selecting the wall type that most
accurately meets your design intent.
The following type of walls are used in actual designs:
• Flat—You can attach a flat wall to a twisted wall, revolve wall, or a planar
surface. The attachment edge must be straight or defined by the driving or offset
surface. If you want a new wall in the same plane as adjacent wall, insert a flat
wall without a bend. You can also insert a flat wall with a bend at a sharp edge
using flat.
• Extruded—You can attach an extruded wall to any edge that is straight and
defined by the driving or offset surface. You can insert an extruded wall with or
without a bend.
• Swept—You can attach a swept wall to any surface, includes straight or nonlinear
edges of the driving or offset surface. Select the edges in any order. You can
define a chain by selecting an edge, which includes all the edges tangent to the
edge. You can also select a predefined collection of edges in the mode or select
an opposite chain that is offset with thickness or a chain that cannot be
transformed by a bend or unbend operation.
Flat
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If the flat wall is a primary wall you only have the unattached option available. Using
the unattached flat wall tool, you can create a primary unattached flat wall.
Unattached walls require closed loop sketches.
If the flat wall is a secondary wall, you must sketch the wall as an open loop aligned
with the highlighted vertices of the attachment edge. The surface adjacent to the
attach edge must be planar. You can create an attached flat wall using Insert >
Sheetmetal Wall > Flat.
The following is an example of an attached flat wall use radius:
1. Attachment edge
Note: You can also create a flat wall with angle but without a bend, or without an
angle and bend.
1. Click or Insert > Sheetmetal Wall > Flat to open the SMT dashboard.
2. Select a valid attachment edge for the wall. A valid edge is an edge that is
straight or defined by the driving or offset surface.
Note: Options available on the dashboard are also available through the shortcut
menus when you right-click on the handle or the flat wall.
a. Select one of the predefined wall profiles such as, Rectangle, Trapezoid,
L, T, or User Defined.
b. Select Flat in the bend angle box.
4. Click Shape to change the dimensions of the section, if required.
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1. Click or Insert > Sheetmetal Wall > Flat to open the SMT dashboard.
2. Select a valid attachment edge for the wall. A valid edge is an edge that is
straight or defined by the driving or offset surface.
Note: Options available on the dashboard are also available through the shortcut
menus when you right-click on the handle or the flat wall.
a. Select one of the predefined wall profiles such as, Rectangle, Trapezoid,
L, T, or User Defined.
b. Specify the required bend angle in the bend angle box or select the default
bend angle and click . The bend thickness and dimension values
become unavailable.
4. Click Shape to change the dimensions of the section, if required.
6. Click Offset wall with respect to attachment edge and select one of the
following:
o By Value—Offsets the wall at a specific distance. You can also drag the
graphic handle to adjust the offset value.
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1. Click or Insert > Sheetmetal Wall > Flat to open the SMT dashboard.
2. Select a valid attachment edge for the wall. A valid edge is an edge that is
straight or defined by the driving or offset surface.
Note: Options available on the dashboard are also available through the shortcut
menus when you right-click on the handle or the flat wall.
a. Select one of the predefined wall profiles such as, Rectangle, Trapezoid,
L, T, or User Defined.
b. Specify the required bend angle or drag the graphic handle to set the wall
angle.
4. Click Shape to change the dimensions of the section, if required.
6. Click Offset wall with respect to attachment edge and select one of the
following:
o By Value—Offsets the wall at a specific distance. You can also drag the
graphic handle to adjust the offset value.
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7. Click to change the thickness of the flat wall to the opposite side of the
sketch plane.
Note: The default bend thickness and dimension values are applied to the bend
at the attachment edge. Bend Allowance on the dashboard is available by
default.
b. Click By Bend Table to select one of the three system bend tables or
Browse to select a user-defined bend table.
9. Type the required bend radius value or select a predefined radius value:
Thickness, Thickness * 2, or By Parameter from the list on the dashboard.
You can also change the bend radius using the handle on the flat wall.
10. Click to dimension the outer surface of the part or to dimension the
inner surface of the part.
11. Click Relief and define one of the following types of bend relief to use. Rip relief
is the default.
a. Click Define each side separately to specify the wall relief type for each
side of the wall, where, Side 1 indicates the start point of the attachment
edge and Side 2 indicates the endpoint of the attachment edge.
b. Specify the type of bend relief to apply.
o No Relief-Maintains the existing material shape and does not control the
bend behavior
Note: You can also define a bend relief for each side of the section
separately.
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o Enter Value—Uses the absolute value that you type in the Enter
dimension value box.
d. Specify a relief depth for the Rectangular and Obround type of relief's or
drag the graphic handle to adjust the relief depth.
12. Click Properties.
13. Click to apply and save the changes made to the feature.
1. Click or Insert > Sheetmetal Wall > Unattached > Flat. The SETUP
PLANE menu appears.
2. Select the reference plane and click Flip or Okay in the DIRECTION menu. The
SKET VIEW menu appears.
3. Select the default view orientation or select a new view reference to sketch the
wall. You must sketch a closed loop.
Note: If a sheet metal wall already exists in the design, the unattached flat wall
automatically adopts its thickness.
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Flanged Walls
• Use predefined internal profiles (predefined profiles also include the hem profiles)
• Specify the view reference and orientation before activating the sketch
• Define a wall trimming by using the offset dimension or maintain the attachment
wall height
Note: By default, a flange wall is a swept wall unless you switch to extrude wall.
• User-defined
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In the following table, the most frequently used profiles are highlighted in yellow.
I Arc S
You can modify attributes for each flange before and after placing the flange.
However, you cannot change the material thickness direction for the Open, Flushed,
Duck, C, and Z type of flanges. By default, bend radius and material thickness
direction are applied only to the profile that is not tangent to the attachment wall at
the sketch plane view. For a Flushed type of flange, you can create only a rip type of
relief. Whereas, stretch relief is not applicable for a Duck type of flange.
For an I, Arc, and S type of flange, you can change the bend radius and material
thickness to other side of the section.
Flange walls increase the wall height of your design. If your flange design requires a
specific wall height, you can set the flange walls to maintain the overall length of the
wall using Offset wall with respect to attachment edge.
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Depending on where you position the flange, you may need to add bend relief. The
bend relief will help control the sheet metal material and prevents unwanted
deformation. You can automatically set the relief attributes (type, width, depth, and
angle) by defining bend relief defaults and parameters. If the defaults and
parameters are not applicable, they are ignored.
You can either simultaneously or individually define the bend relief sides. If you
define the sides individually, you can assign different relief types to each side.
Swept
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1 Attachment surface
2 Trajectory edge
(Attachment edge)
3 Cross-section sketch
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You can use swept walls to manually create hem walls and flanges.
• You cannot add a bend on a swept wall if the sketch is attached to the
attachment edge with a tangent constraint.
• For all sweeps, if a flange is swept along a nonlinear trajectory, you cannot
further use its edges as a sweep trajectory.
• You can attach walls to some straight edges of a swept wall or hem, but, you
cannot select the edges that are deformed while unbending or bending.
o Surface Loop—Constructs a chain that uses all the edges of the surface that
define the selected edge. You must hold down SHIFT and right-click several
times to select an edge.
You can select an opposite chain that is offset with thickness or a chain that
cannot be transformed by a bend or unbend operation.
Note: Options available on the dashboard are also available through the shortcut
menus when you right-click on the handle or the swept wall.
2. Click or Insert > Sheetmetal Wall > Flange to open the SMT dashboard.
3. From the list on the dashboard, select one of the predefined wall profiles such as,
I, Arc, S, Open, Flushed, Duck, C, Z, or User Defined, where, Open,
Flushed, Duck, C, Z are predefined hem profiles.
Note: When creating a swept wall, you can specify both bend radius and bend
allowance for the I, Arc, and S profile types. You can specify bend allowance only
for the hem features.
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o Click Sketch and select End of wall to specify the sketch plane reference,
and define a sketch with user-defined values, if required.
o Click Add Bends On Sharp Edges only if the section has non-tangent
entities.
5. Click Length and select one of the following directions to specify the wall length:
7. Click Offset wall with respect to attachment edge and select one of the
following:
o By Value—Offsets the wall at a specific distance. You can also drag the
graphic handle to adjust the offset value.
8. Click . The bend thickness and dimension values become unavailable. These
values are available by default. You can specify a bend allowance only if
(bend radius) is switched on. However, for all the hem profiles and user-defined
profiles with nonlinear segments, you can change the bend allowance.
9. Click to change the thickness of the flange wall to the other side of the
sketch plane.
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11. Click to apply and save the changes made to the feature.
o Surface Loop—Constructs a chain that uses all the edges of the surface that
define the selected edge. You must hold down SHIFT and right-click several
times to select an edge.
You can select an opposite chain that is offset with thickness or a chain that
cannot be transformed by a bend or unbend operation.
Note: Options available on the dashboard are also available through the shortcut
menus when you right-click on the handle or the swept wall.
2. Click or Insert > Sheetmetal Wall > Flange to open the SMT dashboard.
3. From the list on the dashboard, select one of the predefined wall profiles such as,
I, Arc, S, or User Defined.
o Click Sketch and select End of wall to specify the sketch plane reference,
and define a sketch with user-defined values, if required.
o Click Add Bends On Sharp Edges if the section has non-tangent entities.
5. Click Length and select one of the following directions to specify the wall length:
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7. Click Offset wall with respect to attachment edge and select one of the
following:
o By Value—Offsets the wall at a specific distance. You can also drag the
graphic handle to adjust the offset value.
8. Click to change the thickness of the flange wall to the other side of the
sketch plane.
Note: The default bend thickness and dimension values are applied to the bend
at the attachment edge. Bend Allowance on the dashboard is available by
default.
b. Under Developed Length for Arcs, click Use Bend Table and select one
of the three system bend tables or click Browse to select a user-defined
bend table.
10. Type the required bend radius value or select a pre-defined radius value:
Thickness, Thickness * 2, or By Parameter from the list on the dashboard.
You can also change the bend radius using the handle on the swept wall.
11. Click to dimension the outer surface of the part or to dimension the
inner surface of the part.
12. Click Relief and define one of the following types of bend relief. By default, Rip
relief is selected.
a. Click Define each side separately to specify the wall relief type for each
side of the wall, where, Side 1 indicates the start point of the wall
trajectory and Side 2 indicates the endpoint of the wall trajectory.
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c. Define the relief's width for the Stretch, Rectangular, Obround type of
reliefs:
o Thickness—Uses a default radius that is equal to the thickness of the sheet
metal wall.
o Enter Value—Uses the absolute value that you type in the Enter
dimension value box.
d. Specify a relief depth for the Rectangular and Obround type of relief's or
drag the graphic handle to adjust the relief depth.
13. Click Properties on the SMT dashboard.
14. Click to apply and save the changes made to the feature.
Extruded
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When you are designing a secondary extruded wall, make sure to select a sketching
plane normal to the attachment edge. If the extruded wall must be tangent to an
adjacent surface, make sure the entity at the attachment point is tangent. The
adjacent surface must be planar or must be a twist wall. In all cases, the attachment
edge must be a straight line.
The following is an example of an attached extruded wall use radius:
1. Attachment edge
2. Click or Insert > Sheetmetal Wall > Flange to open the SMT dashboard.
Note: Options available on the dashboard are also available through the shortcut
menus when you right-click on the handle or the extruded wall.
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7. Click Offset wall with respect to attachment edge and select one of the
following:
o By Value—Offsets the wall at a specific distance. You can also drag the
graphic handle to adjust the offset value.
8. Click to change the thickness of the flat wall to the opposite side of the
sketch plane.
Note: Bend radius is unavailable if you select a hem profile or sketch a segment
tangent to the attachment edge. But is available if the profile has at least one
nonlinear segment.
11. Click to apply and save the changes made to the feature.
2. Click or Insert > Sheetmetal Wall > Flange to open the SMT dashboard.
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Note: Options available on the dashboard are also available through the shortcut
menus when you right-click on the handle or the extruded wall.
7. Click Offset wall with respect to attachment edge and select one of the
following:
o By Value—Offsets the wall at a specific distance. You can also drag the
graphic handle to adjust the offset value.
8. Click to change the thickness of the flat wall to the opposite side of the
sketch plane.
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Note: The default bend thickness and dimension values are applied to the bend
at the attachment edge. Bend Allowance and Relief on the dashboard is
available by default.
b. Under Developed Length for Arcs, click Use Bend Table and select one
of the three system bend tables or Browse to select a user-defined bend
table.
10. Type the required bend radius value or select a pre-defined radius value:
Thickness, Thickness * 2, or By Parameter from the list on the dashboard.
You can also change the bend radius using the handle on the extruded wall.
11. Click to dimension the outer surface of the part or to dimension the
inner surface of the part.
12. Click Relief and define one of the following types of bend relief to use. By
default, Rip relief is selected.
a. Click Define each side separately to specify the wall relief type for each
side of the wall, where, Side 1 indicates the start point of the wall
trajectory and Side 2 indicates the endpoint of the wall trajectory.
b. Indicate the type of bend relief to apply.
o No Relief—Maintains the existing material shape and does not control the
bend behavior
c. Define the relief's width for the Stretch, Rectangular, Obround type of
reliefs:
o Thickness—Uses a default radius that is equal to the thickness of the sheet
metal wall.
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o Enter Value—Uses the absolute value that you type in the Enter
dimension value box.
14. Click to apply and save the changes made to the feature.
1. Click or click Insert > Sheetmetal Wall > Unattached > Extrude. The
Unattached Wall: Extrude dialog box opens and the ATTRIBUTES menu
appears.
2. Define the Attributes from where the wall should thicken and click Done.
o One Side—Specifies the wall thickness on one side of the sketching plane.
Note: You can use Sketch > Feature Tools > Thicken to change the direction
of material thickness for sections with an open loop and specify the thickness.
4. When the sketch is complete, click on the sketcher toolbar. The DIRECTION
menu appears.
5. Select the direction to thicken the wall: Okay or Flip to change the direction.
6. Type the wall thickness value and click . The SPEC TO menu appears.
7. Specify how far the wall should extrude and click Done:
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8. If you want to convert the sharp edges to bends, highlight Sharps ToBend in
the Unattached wall dialog box and click Define.
If the extrude wall is not the first wall in your design and you want to switch the
driving and offset surfaces of the wall, highlight Swap Side in the Unattached
wall dialog box. Click Define.
Revolve
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1. Click or Insert > Sheetmetal Wall > Unattached > Revolve. The
Unattached Wall: Revolve dialog box opens and the ATTRIBUTES menu
appears.
2. Define the attributes (where the wall should thicken from) and click Done.
o One Side—Specify the wall thickness to one side of the sketching plane.
3. Reference and sketch the wall. Your sketch must include a center line.
Note: You can use Sketch > Feature Tools > Thicken to change the direction
of material thickness for sections with an open loop and specify the thickness.
5. Select the direction to thicken the wall: Okay or Flip - to change the direction.
6. Type the thickness value for the wall and click . The REV TO menu appears.
7. Define the wall’s revolution angle. Either select a default value from the menu or
click Variable, and type the exact value in degrees.
Blend
• Rotational: Blend sections are rotated a maximum of 120 degrees about the Y-
axis. You sketch each section individually and align them using coordinate
systems.
• General: Blend sections are rotated about and translated along the X-, Y-, Z-
axes. You sketch each section individually and align them using coordinate
systems.
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The following examples shows the sketch and resulting parallel blend wall:
1. Click or Insert > Sheetmetal Wall > Unattached > Blend. The BLEND
OPTS menu appears.
3. Click Regular Sec to define the sketch type and then Done. Sketch Sec is
selected by default.
The Unattached Wall: Blend, Parallel, Regular Sections dialog box and the
ATTRIBUTES menu appears.
4. Define the blend attributes, Smooth or Straight, to connect the sections with
smooth curves or straight lines, respectively.
5. Click Done. the SETUP SK PLN and SETUP PLANE menus appear.
6. Select or create a sketching plane, or use the sketching plane of the last feature
with the 3D section. The DIRECTION menu appears.
7. Click Flip to reverse the direction or Okay to select the direction of viewing the
sketching plane. The SKET VIEW menu appears.
10. Sketch the first section of the blend wall. Change the sketch for the next section:
Sketch > Feature Tools > Toggle Section.
11. Sketch the next section. When the sketch is complete, click on the sketcher
toolbar.
12. Specify whether to add or remove material (material side). The DIRECTION
menu appears.
13. Click Flip to reverse the direction or Okay to define the direction of feature
creation
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14. Type the depth or depths for the additional sections and click .
15. Click OK on the Unattached Wall: Blend, Parallel, Regular Sections dialog
box. The wall is created.
Note: When creating the first wall, after sketching the section, specify material
thickness and click OK to complete the feature creation.
1. Click or Insert > Sheetmetal Wall > Unattached > Blend. The BLEND
OPTS menu appears.
3. Click Project Sec to define the sketch type and then Done. Sketch Sec is
selected by default.
The Unattached Wall: Blend, Parallel, Projected Sections dialog box and the
SETUP SK PLN and SETUP PLANE menus appear.
4. Select or create a sketching plane, or use the sketching plane of the last feature
with the 3D section. The DIRECTION menu appears.
5. Click Flip to reverse the direction or Okay to select the direction of viewing the
sketching plane. The SKET VIEW menu appears.
8. Sketch the first section of the blend wall. Change the sketch for the next section:
Sketch > Feature Tools > Toggle Section.
9. Sketch the next section. When the sketch is complete, click on the sketcher
toolbar.
10. Specify whether to add or remove material (material side). The DIRECTION
menu appears.
11. Click Flip to reverse the direction or Okay to define the direction of feature
creation.
12. Type the depth or depths for the additional sections and click .
13. Click OK in the Unattached Wall: Blend, Parallel, Projected Sections dialog
box to create a parallel blend.
Note: When creating the first wall, after sketching the section, specify material
thickness and click OK to complete the feature creation.
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1. Click or Insert > Sheetmetal Wall > Unattached > Blend. The
Unattached Wall: Blend, General, Sketched Sections dialog box opens and
the BLEND OPTS menu appears.
2. Click General to define the blend type. Regular Sec is selected by default.
3. Click Select Sec to select the section entities or Sketch Sec to define the sketch
to use, and then Done.
• If you select Select Sec, the Unattached Wall: Blend, General, Selected
Sections dialog box and the ATTRIBUTES menu appears.
a. Define the blend attributes (Straight or Smooth) and then click Done.
The CRV SKETCHER and PICK CURVE menus appear.
b. Use the CRV SKETCHER to select one of the following:
o Pick Curve—Select 3D curves or edges to create section entities and select
a loop or chain of entities using the PICK CURVE menu.
o Sec Info—Get information about section entities and dimensions using the
DELETION menu.
c. Click Done/Return. You are prompted to define the next section. Click Yes
to continue or No to abort.
d. When finished, click Done from the CRV SKETCHER menu. The
DIRECTION menu appears.
• If you select Sketch Sec, the Unattached Wall: Blend, General, Sketched
Sections dialog box and the ATTRIBUTES menu appears.
a. Define the blend attributes (Straight or Smooth) and then click Done.
The SETUP SK PLN and SETUP PLANE menus appear.
b. Select or create a sketching plane, or use the sketching plane of the last
feature with 3D section. The DIRECTION menu appears.
c. Click Flip to reverse the direction or Okay to select the direction of feature
creation. The SKET VIEW menu appears.
d. Select or create a horizontal or vertical reference for sketching.
e. Select a perpendicular surface, an edge, or vertex relative to which the
section will be dimensioned and constrained.
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f. Sketch the first section of the blend wall. Make sure you include a
Note: When creating the first wall, after sketching the section, specify material
thickness and click OK to complete the feature creation.
1. Click or Insert > Sheetmetal Wall > Unattached > Blend. The BLEND
OPTS menu appears.
2. Click Rotational to define the blend type. Regular Sec is selected by default.
3. Click Select Sec to select the section entities or Sketch Sec to define the sketch
to use, and then Done.
• If you select Select Sec, the Unattached Wall: Blend, Rotational, Selected
Sections dialog box and the ATTRIBUTES menu appears.
o Sec Info—Get information about section entities and dimensions using the
DELETION menu.
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c. Click Done/Return. You are prompted to define the next section. Click Yes
to continue or No to abort.
d. When finished, click Done from the CRV SKETCHER menu. The
DIRECTION menu appears.
• If you select Sketch Sec to define the sketch to use, the Unattached Wall:
Blend, Rotational, Sketched Sections dialog box and the ATTRIBUTES menu
appears.
g. Type a rotation angle for the section and click . You return to a blank
sketching window.
h. Sketch the next section of the blend wall. Be sure to include a coordinate
5. Click Flip to reverse the direction or Okay to select the direction to thicken the
wall. The material side from where to remove or add material is defined.
Note: When creating the first wall, after sketching the section, specify material
thickness and click OK to complete the feature creation.
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Offset
1. Click or click Insert > Sheetmetal Wall > Unattached > Offset. The
Unattached Wall: Offset dialog box opens.
4. Select the direction to thicken the wall: Okay or Flip - to change the direction.
5. Define the type of offset wall you need. Highlight Offset Type and click Define.
Select the appropriate type:
You can further customize the offset wall with the Leave Out, MaterialSide, and
Swap Side options.
6. Click OK in the Unattached Wall: Offset dialog box. The wall is created.
Advanced
• Surface to surface
• Tangent to surface
• Helical sweeps
• Boundary blends
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• Swept blends
Advanced walls are contours that are difficult to unbend and are not used frequently
used.
3. Click OK. The surfaces must be tangent to each other. The SETUP SK PLN,
SAME/NEW, and SETUP PLANE menu appears.
4. Select or create a sketching plane, or use the sketching plane of the last feature
with 3D section for the section boundary. The DIRECTION menu appears.
5. Click Okay to accept the default direction for feature creation, or Flip to reverse
the direction. The SKET VIEW menu appears.
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9. When the section sketch is complete, click on the sketcher toolbar. The
DIRECTION menu appears.
10. Define the MaterialSide to specify the direction from which to add or remove
material.
11. Accept the default direction or reverse the direction for feature creation.
13. Click OK to close the Unattached Wall: Section to Surfaces Blend dialog
box.
Note: When creating the first wall, after sketching the section, specify the material
thickness and click OK to complete the feature creation.
2. Select the datum surface to which the blend is tangent at the first end.
4. Define the MaterialSide to specify the direction from where to add or remove
material.
5. Accept the default direction or reverse the direction for feature creation. The
direction of thickening is defined.
7. Click OK to close the Unattached Wall: Surface to Surface Blend dialog box.
To Import a Blend
1. Click Insert > Sheetmetal Wall > Unattached > Blend From File. The
Unattached Wall: Blend from File dialog box opens, and the GET COORD S
and SEL COORD S menus appear.
The coordinate systems used in the model are displayed in the SEL COORD S
menu.
2. Select or create a coordinate system from the SEL COORD S menu to locate the
imported blend data. The Open dialog box opens.
3. Specify the file name. The file extension must be .ibl. The DIRECTION menu
appears.
4. Define the MaterialSide to specify the direction from where to add or remove
material.
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5. Accept the default direction or reverse the direction for feature creation. The
direction of thickening is defined.
7. Click OK to close the Unattached Wall: Blend from File dialog box.
3. Select a plane to which the direction will be perpendicular to. The DIRECTION
menu appears.
4. To select the direction for feature creation, click Okay to accept the default
direction or Flip to reverse the direction.
5. Click the References tab. The CHAIN and SELECT menu appears.
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The X-Trajectory defines the section’s horizontal vector. The origin of the section
(crosshairs) is always located on the Origin Trajectory with the X-axis pointing
towards the X-Trajectory.
Pivot Direction—The section plane remains normal to the Origin Trajectory as it is
viewed along the Pivot Direction. The upward direction of the section remains parallel
to the Pivot Direction. The Y-axis of the section is always normal to the selected
direction. The section normal trajectory is determined by projecting the Origin
Trajectory in the Pivot Direction onto a plane normal to the Pivot Direction. For this
method, you must select the Origin Trajectory and define the Pivot Direction.
Norm To Traj—Two trajectories must be selected to determine the location and
orientation of the section. The Origin Trajectory determines the origin of the section
along the length of the feature. The section plane remains normal to the Normal
Trajectory along the length of the feature. For this method, you must select the
Origin Trajectory and the trajectory to which the section will be normal.
You can define multiple additional trajectories to which the vertices of the section
can be aligned. As the section plane is swept along the Origin Trajectory, its
intersections with the longitudinal curves represent the known points for section
alignment and dimensioning.
You can specify whether you want to vary the section as it moves along the sweep
trajectories by defining the Section Type element in the Variable Section Sweep
dialog box. Choose Constant from the SECTION TYPE menu to maintain the same
section, or Variable from the SECTION TYPE menu to adjust the section size as it
sweeps along the trajectory.
o Select or create a sketching plane or use the sketching plane of the last
feature with a 3D section. The DIRECTION menu appears.
o Select the direction to thicken the wall. Click OK or Flip to change the
direction.
o Select any type of chain, curve or edge to add to the chain, and click Done.
The DEFAULT TAN menu appears.
o Click Accept to accept the default tangent surfaces or Reject to reject the
default and select the individual surfaces.
• Sel Tan Traj—Allows the selection of a datum curve with tangency conditions or
references.
o Select any type of chain, curve or edge to add to the chain, and click Done.
The DEFAULT TAN menu appears.
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o Click Accept to accept the default tangent surfaces or Reject to reject the
default and select the individual surfaces.
3. Click Done. The Unattached Wall: Variable Section Sweep, Norm to Origin
Traj dialog box opens and the VAR SEC SWP menu appears.
4. Select one of the following trajectory options to specify a trajectory that defines
the section origin and click Done.
6. Specify a trajectory that defines a section horizontal to the vector using the VAR
SEC SWP menu.
7. Specify optional trajectories using the VAR SEC SWP menu and click Done.
8. Define a section.
Note: You can use Sketch > Feature Tools > Thicken to change the direction
of material thickness for sections with an open loop and specify the thickness.
11. Click OK in the Unattached Wall: Variable Section Sweep, Norm to Origin
Traj dialog box to generate the swept blend feature.
Note: When creating the first wall, after sketching the section, specify the material
thickness and click OK to complete feature creation. You can also use Sketch >
Feature Tools > Thicken to change the direction of the material thickness for
sections with an open loop.
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2. Click Pivot Dir to create a section normal to the origin of the trajectory when
viewed from any direction.
3. Click Done. The Unattached Wall: Variable Section Sweep, Pivot Direction
dialog box opens and the GEN SEL DIR menu appears.
o Csys—Selects a coordinate system and then selects x-, y-, z-axis of the
coordinate system as the direction.
5. Click Okay to accept the default direction or Flip to reverse the direction. The
VAR SEC SWP menu appears.
6. Select the following trajectory options to specify a trajectory that defines the
section origin and click Done.
9. Define a section.
Note: You can use Sketch > Feature Tools > Thicken to change the direction
of material thickness for sections with an open loop and specify the thickness.
10. When the section sketch is complete, click on the sketcher toolbar. The
DIRECTION menu appears.
11. Define the MaterialSide to specify the direction from where to add or remove
material. Accept the default direction or reverse the direction for feature creation.
13. Click OK in the Unattached Wall: Variable Section Sweep, Pivot Direction
dialog box to generate the swept blend feature.
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Note: When creating the first wall, after sketching the section, specify the material
thickness and click OK to complete feature creation.
3. Click Done. The Unattached Wall: Variable Section Sweep, Normal to Traj
dialog box opens and the VAR SEC SWP menu appears.
4. Select the following trajectory options to specify a trajectory that defines the
section origin and click Done.
5. Select one of the following to specify section orientation and click Done.
o Use Norm Traj—Allows you to select a trajectory that defines the section
plane normal.
6. Select or create a trajectory that defines a section plane normal using the CHAIN
menu. When finished, click Done.
7. Optionally, specify additional trajectories using the VAR SEC SWP menu and
click Done.
8. Define a section.
Note: You can use Sketch > Feature Tools > Thicken to change the direction
of material thickness for sections with an open loop and specify the thickness.
9. When the section sketch is complete, click on the sketcher toolbar. The
DIRECTION menu appears.
10. Define the MaterialSide to specify the direction from where to add or remove
material.
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11. Accept the default direction or reverse the direction for feature creation.
13. Click OK in the Unattached Wall: Variable Section Sweep, Normal to Traj
dialog box to generate the swept blend feature.
Note: When creating the first wall, after sketching the section, specify the material
thickness and click OK to complete feature creation.
From Boundaries
• For blended surfaces defined in two directions, the outer boundaries must form a
closed loop. This means that the outer boundaries must intersect. If the
boundaries do not terminate at the intersection points, Pro/ENGINEER
automatically trims them and uses the relevant portion.
• Curves selected for blending need not contain the same number of entities.
2. Click Blended Surf and then Done. The Unattached Wall: Blended dialog box
opens and the CRV OPTS and SELECT ITEM menus appear.
3. Select one of the following from the SELECT ITEM to define the reference
curves:
4. Define or change the advanced geometry options using the advanced surface
control tools.
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6. Select the boundary for which you want to define boundary conditions and click
Done. The BNDRY COND menu appears.
Note: When creating the first wall, after sketching the section, specify material
thickness and click OK to complete the feature creation.
2. Click N-Sided Surf and then Done. The Unattached Wall: N-Sided dialog box
opens and the CHAIN menu appears.
Note: You must select at least five boundaries (references) in the consecutive
order for the N-sided surface. Using the One By One option in the CHAIN menu,
select at least five curves or edges forming a loop.
Note: The boundaries of the N-sided surface cannot include tangent edges or
curves.
7. Select the boundary for which you want to define boundary conditions.
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10. Click OK in the Unattached Wall: N-Sided dialog box to complete feature
creation.
Note: When creating the first wall, after sketching the section, specify material
thickness and click OK to complete the feature creation.
3. Click Done. The Unattached Wall: Conic, Tangent Curve dialog box opens
and the CRV OPTS and SELECT ITEM menus appear. Boundaries is selected
by default.
You can also select one of the following from the CRV OPTS menu:
OR
5. Select one of the following from the SELECT ITEM menu to define the reference
curves and click Done:
6. Specify the tangent curve or shoulder curve. The SELECT ITEM menu appears.
7. Select curves or edges to define the tangent curve or shoulder curve and click
Done Curves.
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8. At the prompt, type the conic parameter value. Specify a parameter value
between 0.05 and 0.95. Sections of the surface are one of the following types
according to their conic parameter value:
Note: When creating the first wall, after sketching the section, specify material
thickness and click OK to complete the feature creation.
Swept Blend
• For a closed trajectory profile, you must sketch sections at the start point and at
least one other location. Pro/ENGINEER uses the first section at the endpoint.
• For an open trajectory profile, you must create sections at the start and end
points. You cannot skip the placement of a section at these points.
• You cannot dimension sections to the model because modifying the trajectory
invalidates these dimensions.
• You cannot select a composite datum curve for defining sections of a swept blend
(Select Sec). Instead, you must select one of the underlying datum curves or
edges from which a composite curve is determined.
• If you choose Pivot Dir and Select Sec, all selected sections must lie in planes
that are parallel to the pivot direction.
• You can control geometry that is swept and blended by using an area graph and
by controlling the perimeter of the feature between the sections.
• An area graph represents the exact area of the cross-section of the swept blend
at selected locations on the Origin Trajectory. You can add or remove points on
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the Origin Trajectory at which to specify the swept blend sectional area. You can
also change the graph value at user-defined points.
The following table lists terminology common to variable section sweeps and swept
blends.
OPTION DEFINITION
2. Click either Select Sec or Sketch Sec to select or sketch section entities.
• If you select Select Sec, the Unattached Wall: Swept Blend, Norm to Origin
Traj, Selected Sections dialog box opens and the SWEEP TRAJ menu appears.
Select a normal surface to define the orientation for the cross-section using the
SWEEP TRAJ menu.
—Select or create a sketching plane, or use the sketching plane of the last
feature with the 3D section for the section boundary. The DIRECTION
menu appears.
—Click Flip to reverse the direction or Okay to accept the default direction.
The SKET VIEW menu appears.
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—Sketch the section boundary. The section must be closed. When the
o Select Traj—Allows you to select a datum curve using the CHAIN menu.
—After selecting the curves, click Done. The CHOOSE menu appears.
—Click Accept to accept the selection or Next to next selection. The CRV
SKETCHER and PICK CURVE menus appear.
b. Select the appropriate entity and click Done/Return. You are prompted to
continue sketching the next section by clicking Yes or No. The DIRECTION
menu appears.
• If you select Sketch Traj, the Unattached Wall: Swept Blend, Norm to
Origin Traj, Sketched Sections dialog box opens and the SWEEP TRAJ menu
appears.
a. Specify a trajectory that defines section origin using the SWEEP TRAJ
menu and click Done. The SEC ORIENT menu appears.
b. Specify section orientation using one of the following and click Done:
o Pick XVector—Allows you to select an axis, straight edge/curve, or plane
normal to determine the section’s positive x-axis. Use options in the GEN
SEL DIR menu to select a horizontal reference. The system displays a red
arrow, indicating the positive direction for the X-vector. Choose Flip or
Okay to determine the direction for the operation.
Note: The Pick XVector option is available only for the trajectories defined
with the Select Traj option.
When you select Automatic for a section other than the first, the system
determines the X-vector automatically based on the previous section
orientation and the behavior of the Origin Trajectory.
If the Origin Trajectory has only one adjacent surface, then the system
automatically selects this surface, highlighted in blue, as the reference for
the section orientation. A red arrow appears, indicating the upward
direction. Choose Flip or Okay to specify the upward direction.
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If the Origin Trajectory has two adjacent surfaces, the system prompts you
to select a surface for the section orientation. The default surface is
highlighted in blue. You can accept the default surface or select the other
one. A red arrow appears, indicating the upward direction. Choose Flip or
Okay to specify the upward direction.
c. The system highlights endpoints and vertices along the Origin Trajectory.
Use one of the following from the CONFIRM menu to select points at which
you want to specify additional sections.
Accept—Sketches or selects a section at this highlighted location
d. For each vertex or datum point where you define a section, specify the
section's rotation angle about the z-axis (with a value between -120 and
+120 degrees).
4. Select or sketch the entities for each section, depending on whether you choose
Select Sec or Sketch Sec, respectively.
6. Click Okay to accept the default direction to thicken the wall or Flip to reverse
the direction. The material side from where to remove or add material is defined.
7. When all cross-sections are sketched or selected, unless you want to define
optional elements, select OK in the Unattached Wall: Swept Blend, Norm to
Origin Traj, Selected Sections dialog box to generate the swept blend feature.
8. Optionally, click Blend Control and then Define. This allows you to control
shape with cross sectional area or perimeter. The BLEND CONTROL menu
appears.
9. Select one of the following bend control conditions and click Done/Return:
10. If you select Select Sec, optionally, you can define Tangency if you want the
blend to be tangent to any surface at the first end.
a. At the prompt, press ENTER (Yes) to create a tangent blend. Else, type No.
b. Select a surface for the highlighted entity and click OK. You are prompted
to specify a tangent blend at the other end.
11. Optionally, swap the driving surface, if required.
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Note: When creating the first wall, after sketching the section, specify material
thickness and click OK to complete the feature creation.
3. Click Pivot Dir to create a section normal to origin of the trajectory when viewed
from any direction and click Done.
o If you select Select Sec, the Unattached Wall: Swept Blend, Pivot
Direction, Selected Sections dialog box opens.
o If you select Sketch Sec, the Unattached Wall: Swept Blend, Pivot
Direction, Selected Sections dialog box opens.
o Csys—Selects a coordinate system and then selects x-, y-, and z-axis of
the coordinate system as the direction
5. Click Okay to accept the default direction or Flip to reverse the direction. The
SWEEP TRAJ menu appears.
6. Select one of the following trajectory options to specify a trajectory that defines
the section origin and click Done.
o Sketch Traj—Allows you to sketch a trajectory using the sketch plane and
orientation.
o Select Traj—Allows you to select a datum curve using the CHAIN menu.
7. Click Okay to change the direction of thickness or Flip to reverse the direction.
The direction in which you want to add or remove material is defined.
8. Optionally, click Blend Control and then Define. This allows you to control
shape with cross sectional area or perimeter. The BLEND CONTROL menu
appears.
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9. Select one of the following bend control conditions and click Done/Return:
10. Optionally, define Tangency if you want the blend to be tangent to any surface
at the first end.
a. At the prompt, press ENTER (Yes) to create a tangent blend. Else, type No.
b. Select a surface for the highlighted entity and click OK. You are prompted
to specify a tangent blend at the other end.
11. Optionally, swap the driving surface, if required.
Note: When creating the first wall, after sketching the section, specify material
thickness and click OK to complete the feature creation.
4. Click Done. The Unattached Wall: Swept Blend, Norm to Traj, Selected
Sections dialog box opens and the SWEEP TRAJ menu appears.
5. Select one of the following trajectory options to specify a trajectory that defines
the section origin and click Done.
• Sketch Traj—Allows you to sketch a trajectory using the sketching plane and
orientation. The SETUP SK PLN and SETUP PLANE menus appear.
a. Select or create a sketching plane, or use the sketching plane of the last
feature with the 3D section for the section boundary. The DIRECTION
menu appears.
b. Click Flip to reverse the direction or Okay to select the direction for
viewing the sketching plane. The SKET VIEW menu appears.
c. Select or create a horizontal or vertical reference for sketching.
d. Select a perpendicular surface, an edge, or vertex relative to which the
section is dimensioned and constrained.
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e. Sketch the section boundary. The section must be closed. When the section
7. When all cross-sections are selected, unless you want to define optional
elements, select OK in the Unattached Wall: Swept Blend, Norm to Origin
Traj, Selected Sections dialog box to generate the swept blend feature.
8. Optionally, click Blend Control and then Define. This allows you to control
shape with cross sectional area or perimeter. The BLEND CONTROL menu
appears.
9. Select one of the following bend control conditions and click Done/Return:
10. Optionally, define Tangency if you want the blend to be tangent to any surfaces
at the first end.
a. At the prompt, press ENTER (Yes) to create a tangent blend. Else, type No.
b. Select a surface for the highlighted entity and click OK. You are prompted
to specify a tangent blend at the other end.
11. Optionally, swap the driving surface, if required.
Note: When creating the first wall, after sketching the section, specify material
thickness and click OK to complete the feature creation.
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4. Select one of the following trajectory options to specify a trajectory that defines
section origin and click Done.
• Sketch Traj—Sketches the trajectory using the sketching plane and orientation.
SETUP SK PLN and SETUP PLANE menus appear.
a. Select or create a sketching plane, or use the sketching plane of the last
feature with the 3D section for the section boundary. The DIRECTION
menu appears.
b. Click Flip to reverse the direction or Okay to select the direction for
viewing the sketching plane. The SKET VIEW menu appears.
c. Select or create a horizontal or vertical reference for sketching.
d. Select a perpendicular surface, an edge, or vertex relative to which the
section is dimensioned and constrained.
e. Sketch the section boundary. The section must be closed. When the section
a. Select one of the following to specify section orientation and click Done:
o Pick XVector—Select an axis, straight edge/curve, or plane normal to
determine the section’s positive X-axis. Use options in the GEN SEL DIR
menu to select a horizontal reference. The system displays a red arrow,
indicating the positive direction for the X-vector. Choose Flip or Okay to
determine the direction for the operation.
Note: The Pick XVector option is available only for the trajectories defined
with the Select Traj option.
If you select this option for the first section, then the X-axis is determined
by the curvature vector at the beginning of the Origin Trajectory.
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When you select Automatic for a section other than the first, the system
determines the X-vector automatically based on the previous section
orientation and the behavior of the Origin Trajectory.
If the Origin Trajectory has only one adjacent surface, then the system
automatically selects this surface, highlighted in blue, as the reference for
the section orientation. A red arrow appears, indicating the upward
direction. Choose Flip or Okay to specify the upward direction.
If the Origin Trajectory has two adjacent surfaces, the system prompts you
to select a surface for the section orientation. The default surface is
highlighted in blue. You can accept the default surface or select the other
one. A red arrow appears, indicating the upward direction. Choose Flip or
Okay to specify the upward direction.
b. The system highlights endpoints and vertices along the Origin Trajectory.
Use one of the following from the CONFIRM menu to select points at which
you want to specify additional sections.
o Accept—Sketches or selects a section at this highlighted location.
c. For each vertex or datum point where you define a section, specify the
section's rotation angle about the z-axis (with a value between -120 and
+120 degrees). You are prompted to define two such sections.
5. Select or sketch the entities for each section, depending on whether you choose
Select Sec or Sketch Sec, respectively.
7. Click Okay to accept the default direction to thicken the wall or Flip to reverse
the direction. The material side from where to remove or add material is defined.
8. When all cross-sections are sketched or selected, unless you want to define
optional elements, select OK in the Unattached Wall: Swept Blend, Norm to
Origin Traj, Selected Sections dialog box to generate the swept blend feature.
9. Optionally, click Blend Control and then Define. This allows you to control
shape with cross sectional area or perimeter. The BLEND CONTROL menu
appears.
10. Select one of the following bend control conditions and click Done/Return:
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11. If you select Select Sec, optionally, you can define Tangency if you want the
blend to be tangent to any surface at the first end.
a. At the prompt, press ENTER (Yes) to create a tangent blend. Else, type No.
b. Select a surface for the highlighted entity and click OK. You are prompted
to specify a tangent blend at the other end.
12. Optionally, swap the driving surface, if required.
Note: When creating the first wall, after sketching the section, specify material
thickness and click OK to complete the feature creation.
Helical Sweep
• Thru Axis—The cross section lies in a plane that passes through the axis of
revolution.
• Norm To Traj—The cross section is oriented normal to the trajectory (or surface
of revolution).
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o Right Handed—Allows you to create a trajectory using the right hand rule
Left Handed—Allows you to create a trajectory using the left hand rule
3. Click Done. The SETUP SK PLN and SETUP PLANE menus appear.
4. Select or create a sketching plane, or use the sketching plane of the last feature
with the 3D section for the section boundary. The DIRECTION menu appears.
5. Click Flip to reverse the direction or Okay to select the direction for viewing the
sketching plane. The SKET VIEW menu appears.
8. Sketch the profile of the surface of revolution. The sketched entities must form
an open loop. You must sketch a centerline to define the axis of revolution.
Note: If you select Norm To Traj, the profile entities must be tangent to each
other (C1 continuous).
o The profile entities must not have a tangent that is normal to the centerline
at any point.
o The profile starting point defines the sweep trajectory starting point. You
can modify the starting point using the Sketch > Feature Tools > Start
Point.
10. At the prompt, type the pitch value (the distance between the coils).
Note: You can use Sketch > Feature Tools > Thicken to change the direction
of material thickness for sections with an open loop and specify the thickness.
12. When the section sketch is complete, click on the sketcher toolbar. The
DIRECTION menu appears.
13. Click Flip to reverse the direction or Okay to accept the default direction.
16. Click OK in the Unattached Wall: Helical Sweep dialog box to create a helical
blend.
Note: When creating the first wall, after sketching the section, specify material
thickness and click OK to complete the feature creation.
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o Right Handed—Allows you to create a trajectory using the right hand rule
Left Handed—Allows you to create a trajectory using the left hand rule
3. Click Done. The SETUP SK PLN and SETUP PLANE menus appear.
4. Select or create a sketching plane and side surface, or use the sketching plane of
the last feature with the 3D section for the trajectory. The DIRECTION menu
appears.
5. Click Flip to reverse the direction or Okay to select the direction for viewing the
sketching plane. The SKET VIEW menu appears.
6. Select or create a horizontal or vertical reference for sketching using the SKET
VIEW menu.
8. Sketch a trajectory. The sketched entities must form an open loop. You must
sketch a centerline to define the axis of revolution. After you regenerate your
Note: If you select Norm To Traj, the profile entities must be tangent to each
other (C1 continuous).
o The profile entities must not have a tangent that is normal to the centerline
at any point.
o The profile starting point defines the sweep trajectory starting point. You
can modify the starting point using the Sketch > Feature Tools > Start
Point.
9. At the prompt, type the pitch value (the distance between the coils) at trajectory
start and end. The GRAPH and DEFINE GRAPH menus appear. While the profile
section is displayed in the Pro/ENGINEER graphics window, the initial pitch graph
is displayed in the PITCH_GRAPH window.
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You can select one of the following from the DEFINE GRAPH menu:
11. Click Add Point to sketch points, then select points on the profile geometry, and
dimension them. It is easier to dimension the control points if you put them on
the centerline that defines the axis of revolution.
12. While in the profile section, sketch points to be used as the control points in the
pitch graph. These control points define how the pitch value changes along the
axis of revolution.
13. Finalize the graph by transferring the pitch control points from the profile sketch
onto the graph and click Done/Return from the DEFINE GRAPH menu.
To check the graph data, click Info in the GRAPH menu. The system displays
the Information Window with the pitch data table.
Note: You can use Sketch > Feature Tools > Thicken to change the direction
of material thickness for sections with an open loop and specify the thickness.
16. When the section sketch is complete, click on the sketcher toolbar. The
DIRECTION menu appears.
17. Click Flip to reverse the direction or Okay to accept the default direction.
20. Click OK in the Unattached Wall: Helical Sweep dialog box to create a helical
blend.
Note: When creating the first wall, after sketching the section, specify material
thickness and click OK to complete the feature creation.
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Twist
Note:
• You can only add a flat or extruded wall to the end of a twist if the additional wall
has no radius and is tangent to the twist.
• You can unbend a twist wall with the regular unbend command.
• The twist axis runs through the wall's center, perpendicular to the attach edge.
2. Select the attachment edge for the twist wall. The TWIST AXIS PNT and
FEATURE REFS menus appear.
3. Select a datum point on the attachment edge to locate the twist axis, which is the
centerline of the twist wall. It is perpendicular to the start edge and coplanar with
the existing wall:
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Note: If you intend to roll the material in a spiral, be conscious of the material
length. Otherwise, your roll bend will fail if the material bends through itself.
o Start Width—Width of the twist wall at the attachment edge. Type a value
and click .
o End Width—Width at the end of the twist wall. Type a value and click .
edge to the end of the twist axis. Type a value and click .
Extend
Corner with extend wall added to Corner with extend walls added to
the tangent inside edges. the tangent left inside edge and
tangent right outside edge.
1. Click or Insert > Sheetmetal Wall > Extend. The WALL Options:
Extend dialog box opens.
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2. Select the straight edge to extend. The EXT DIST and SETUP PLANE menus
appear.
Select a default value from the menu or click Enter, and type the exact
distance value.
4. Click OK on the WALL Options: Extend dialog box. The wall is created.
Merge
• The driving sides of each wall match. If the colors of the walls do not match you
can use the Swap Sides command in Unattached Wall dialog box.
1. Unattached wall.
To create the merge you must define the following elements in the WALL Options
dialog box:
• Basic Refs—Select surfaces of the base wall.
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Note: Only unattached walls can merge with the base wall.
1. Click or Insert > Merge Walls. The WALL Options: Merge dialog box
opens and the FEATURE REFS menu appears.
Note: You can merge only flat walls including the unattached walls.
2. Select the base wall surfaces you want the unattached wall to be merged with.
3. Select the unattached wall surfaces you want to merge to the base wall.
4. Click OK on the WALL Options: Merge dialog box. The walls are merged.
Rip
About Rips
A rip shears or tears your sheet metal walls, especially along seams. If your part is a
continuous piece of material it cannot be unbent without ripping the sheet metal.
Create a rip feature before unbending. When you unbend that area of the model, the
material will break along the rip section. In general, a rip is a zero-volume cut.
There are three types of sheet metal rips available:
• Regular—Creates a sawcut along a sketched rip line. You select a surface and
sketch the rip line. You can select boundary surfaces to protect certain surfaces
from the rip.
• Surface—Cuts and exclude an entire surface patch from the model. You select a
surface to rip out. Surface rips remove model volume.
• Edge—Creates a sawcut along an edge. You select the edge to rip. The resulting
corner edges can be open, blind, or overlapping.
While edge rips are intended for unbending your part, you can customize the corner
type to be open, overlapping, or cut/extended to a specific depth. You can create rips
with open or overlapping corners.
You can create multiple versions of a regular rip by setting bounding surfaces—a
surface that will not be ripped. The rip extends around the model until it meets the
edges of the bounding surface. If your rip design requires most of the surfaces not to
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be ripped, you can exclude all the surfaces (as bounding surfaces) and select/remove
the desired surfaces that need to be ripped.
No bounding
surfaces 1 Bounding
surface 2 Multiple
bounding surfaces
Note: If you add wall relief after a rip the sheet metal may have larger, more
unpredictable ripping than desired.
1. Click or Insert > Shape > Rip. The OPTIONS menu appears.
2. Click Regular Rip. Click Done. The Rip: (Regular Type) dialog box opens.
3. Reference and sketch the rip. All entities must form one continuous open chain
with endpoints that align to surface edges or silhouettes. When the sketch is
To define the boundary surface, highlight Bound Surf in the Rip dialog box and
click Define. The FEATURE REFS menu appears. Select the surfaces to exclude
from the rip feature and then click Done Refs and Done/Return.
1. Click or Insert > Shape > Rip. The OPTIONS menu appears.
2. Click Surface Rip and then Done. The RIP:(Surface Type) dialog box opens
and the FEATURE REFS menu appears.
3. Select the surface(s) to rip out. The selected surfaces highlight in the active
window.
You can add and remove rip surfaces by highlighting Surface in the
Rip:(Surface Type) dialog box and clicking Define. After you modfiy the
surface selections click Done Refs.
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1. Click or click Insert > Shape > Rip. The OPTIONS menu appears.
2. Click Edge Rip. Click Done. The Rip :(Edge Type) dialog box opens and the
RIP PIECES menu appears. By default, Add is selected.
You can also customize the corner type for each edge rip as follows:
o Click Redefine from the RIP PIECES menu. The PIECE SEL menu
appears.
o Select the edge piece to redefine. The RIP PIECES dialog box opens.
o Highlight Corner Type and click Define. The CORNER DEF menu appears.
4. Click Done Sets after selecting and defining all desired edges. The selected
edges highlight in the active window.
5. Click OK on the Rip :(Edge Type) dialog box. The edge rip is created.
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• Blind edge rip—Drag-handles and dimensions appear for each edge coming into
the corner.
To set the depth of the edge, you can double-click the edge dimension and then
type or select a new dimension or you can use the drag handle and drag the
corner edge to its new location (which can be within the confines of the edge or
extend beyond the intersecting edges).
• Overlap edge rip—Drag-handles appear for each edge and an arrow indicates
the overlap direction. One edge automatically overlaps the other. You can reverse
the overlapping edge by clicking Flip on the CORNER DEF menu.
Note:
• You can redefine the edge rip type in the middle of defining the edge by clicking
one of the other commands. For example, if while defining a blind edge rip you
discover it should be overlapping, simply click Overlap and the blind dimensions
are aborted.
• Dimensions only appear with your model when you are creating a blind edge rip.
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Cut
• Sheet Metal Cut (thin)—Removes only a thin section of material, like a thin cut
made with a laser.
• Solid-Class Cut—Removes solid sections of the sheet metal wall. You can
extrude, revolve, sweep, blend, use quilts and make advanced solid-class cuts.
To make a defined-angle cut, you must use the solid-class cut. Solid-class cuts
can be made on an edge. See the Part Modeling Functional Area for information
about solid-class cuts.
Note: Always use the sheet metal-class cut, unless you need tapered edges.
Because sheet metal cuts are surface cuts, you cannot make a cut to partially
remove wall thickness. For example, you can not cut a 1cm deep hole in a 10cm
thick wall. This may make the Blind depth command somewhat difficult to
understand. The Blind depth command applies to cutting on bends. You can sketch
the cut to the edge of the bend and project it a blind depth down the bent wall,
saving you the time of unbending the wall, making the cut, and bending back the
wall.
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Note:
• A cut cannot cross two bend lines.
• Cutting on angles or bend areas might require a larger dimension scale for proper
clearance.
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See the Part Modeling module for more information about working with projected
datum curves.
1. Click or Insert > Sheetmetal Cut > Solid. The CUT: Smt Cut dialog box
opens and the SETUP SK PLN and SETUP PLANE menu appears.
2. Select or create a sketching plane, or use the sketching plane of the last feature
with the 3D section. The DIRECTION menu appears.
3. Click Okay to accept the current direction to remove the material or Flip to
change the direction. The SKET VIEW menu appears.
6. Sketch the section. When the section sketch is complete, click on the
sketcher toolbar. The DIRECTION menu appears.
8. Click Okay to accept the current direction or Flip to reverse the direction. The
SPEC TO menu appears.
9. Select one of the following to define the extrusion depth of the cut and click
Done:
o Thru Next—Removes material only from the first sheet metal surface
under the sketched cut.
o Thru All—Removes material from all the sheet metal surfaces under the
sketched cut.
10. To define the side on which to create the cut, select the driving or offset surface
as the driving surface and click Done.
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11. Click OK on the CUT: Smt Cut dialog box. The cut is created.
2. Select or create a sketching plane, or use the sketching plane of the last feature
with the 3D section. The DIRECTION menu appears.
3. Click Okay to accept the current direction or Flip to change the direction. The
SKET VIEW menu appears.
6. Reference and sketch the cut. When the sketch is complete, click on the
sketcher toolbar. The THIN OPT menu appears.
8. At the prompt, type the width of the cut and click . The SPEC TO menu
appears.
o Thru Next—Removes material only from the first sheet metal surface
under the sketched cut.
o Thru All—Removes material from all the sheet metal surfaces under the
sketched cut.
10. To define the side on which to create the cut, select the driving or offset surface
as the driving surface and click Done.
11. Click OK on the CUT: Smt Cut, Thin dialog box. The cut is created.
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Form
About Forms
A form is a sheet metal wall molded by a template (reference part). Merging the
geometry of a reference part to the sheet metal part creates the form feature. You
use assembly type constraints to determine the location of the form in your model.
When doing so, be mindful of placement references and references to other features
in the model.
You can create two types of sheet metal form features, punch and die. Each form
type can create the same geometry:
To simulate real manufacturing needs, create your form reference part in the
standard application. If you use a sheet metal reference part, the sheet metal to be
formed should conform to the driving side of the component part. When creating a
form model, keep the following in mind:
• Convex surfaces—Must have a radius that is larger than the thickness of the
sheet metal or equal to zero if the form is mated to the sheet metal geometry.
• Concave surfaces—Must have a radius that is larger than the thickness of the
sheet metal or equal to zero if the form is aligned to the sheet metal geometry.
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You can create multiple form placement scenarios by turning specific constraints on
or off with the forced check box . For example, you might place a louver form
with constraints that force the opening to face the outside edge of the wall while also
having a constraint that forces the opening towards the center of the wall. By turning
either constraint on or off you can quickly change your sheet metal design.
Note:
• You can pattern both types of form features.
• You can create UDFs based on the forms. Any elements you define when creating
the form are modifiable when placing it as a UDF. The one exception is form type,
die or punch, which cannot be changed at that time.
1. Click or Insert > Shape > Form. The OPTIONS menu appears.
2. Click Die.
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3. Define how to use the punch reference part and click Done:
4. Open the punch reference part. The punch reference part opens in a separate
window. The FORM and Form Placement dialog box opens.
5. In the Type box, select the type of constraint to use for the reference:
7. Under Form Reference, click and select the desired constraint on the
reference part.
8. Under Part Reference, click and select the corresponding constraint on the
sheet metal part.
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9. Type the appropriate value for the reference position and click .
o To preview the form positioning, select the constraint type and click
Preview.
o To align the default coordinate system of the form reference part to the
10. Select a boundary plane from the reference part. The boundary plane is the
surface surrounding the die geometry.
11. Select a seed surface from the reference part. The seed surface can be any
section of the actual die geometry.
o To exclude surfaces, highlight Exclude Surf on the FORM dialog box and
click Define. Select the form feature surface(s) to exclude and click Done
Refs.
o To change the tool name, highlight Tool Name in the FORM dialog box and
click Define.
12. Click OK on the FORM dialog box. The die form is created.
1. Click or Insert > Shape > Form. The OPTIONS menu appears.
2. Click Punch.
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3. Define how to use the punch reference part and click Done:
4. Open the punch reference part. The punch reference part opens in a separate
window. The FORM and Form Placement dialog box opens.
5. In the Type box, select the type of constraint for the form reference:
7. Under Form Reference, click and select the desired constraint on the
reference part.
8. Under Part Reference, click and select the corresponding constraint on the
sheet metal part.
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9. Type the appropriate value for the reference position and click .
o To preview the form positioning select the constraint type and click
Preview.
o To align the default coordinate system of the form reference part to the
10. Select the surface to use for the punch geometry: Okay or Flip - to change the
direction.
o To exclude surfaces, highlight Exclude Surf on the FORM dialog box and
click Define. Select the form feature surface(s) to exclude and click Done
Refs.
o To change the tool name, highlight Tool Name in the FORM dialog box and
click Define.
11. Click OK on the FORM dialog box. The punch form is created.
• The base of a die form must be a plane surface (boundary plane) surrounding the
actual die. A punch form does not need this base plane, except, if the base plane
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is used for placing the form (in this instance the base plane could be a datum
plane).
• Concave angles and bends in the form must have either a zero radius or a radius
greater than sheet metal thickness.
• The reference part can contain hollows. All the form geometry must protrude
from one side of the base plane. Make sure the hollow accounts for the sheet
metal thickness or else the material inside the hollow will overlap and the form
will fail.
The form reference part can contain geometry for multiple die or punch models:
• You can create an infinite number of die models. Be sure to leave an appropriate
distance between each die instance.
• You can create punch models with two sides. You select the desired side when
mating the surfaces.
Flatten Form
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• A form that crosses a bend can only flatten after you unbend the bend. However,
if the form is higher than the bend radius it cannot be unbent or flattened. You
must suppress the form.
• To accurately compensate for mass, you should use the flattened surface area for
real life calculations.
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As you prepare your sheet metal design for manufacture you need to flatten your
design. In order to accurately flatten stamped edges, you should create a Flatten
Form feature. The flatten form calculates the flat pattern for the stamped edges
based on the assumption that the volume of the material in the part is the same
both before and after it is flattened. You have the option, however, to modify the
volume that is transformed.
The following example shows the adjustments made to the width of the part after
flattening, ensuring the material volume before and after flattening is the same.
Chamfer cross section area: 0.50 x (0.40 x Sheet side section: Wflat x T = (W -
0.40) = 0.08 0.08/T)*T
Note: When creating rounds and chamfers be sure to the sheet metal thickness and
the desired geometry (angle or radius) into account.
1. Click or Insert > Shape > Flat Form. The FLATTEN dialog box opens.
2. Highlight Form and click Define. The FEATURE REFS menu appears.
3. Select the form feature from the model tree or select each individual section to
flatten.
4. Click Done Refs after all the form sections are selected.
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Notch Punch
Notches and punches are manufacturing operations made using the following three
phases:
• Phase One—Create the desired type of cut on a sheet metal part.
• Phase Two—Convert the cut into a user-defined feature (UDF). This UDF is
saved in your directory and can be included in multiple designs. It carries the file
name extension, .gph.
• Phase Three—Place the notch or punch UDF on the desired sheet metal part.
You can create a reference part to help place your notch or punch UDF. Typically,
you want to keep the reference part simple. The reference part carries the file name
extension: gp.prt. Remember, create your UDFs in Sheet Metal mode because UDFs
created in Part mode do not work on sheet metal parts.
Each sheet metal notch and punch has a specific tool that defines its shape. The
same tool is referred to when and wherever you use that UDF. Because of the tool
dimensions, you cannot scale the size of the sheet metal notch and punch UDF. In
order to change the size of these UDFs you must reassign the appropriate reference
tool used in manufacturing.
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For the skipped reference, you enter into the feature creation environment
enabling you to redefine the element that uses the skipped references.
If you redefine a sketching plane or horizontal references, the dialog box for the
feature using the skipped reference appears. From the dialog box, select the
Section element and click Define. Click Sketch Plane and define the reference
as appropriate.
• If the skipped reference is used by a section other than the sketching plane or
horizontal reference.
o DragAndDrop – Places the existing UDF section directly on the part. When
you enable this option the section is outlined in red. Use the mouse to move
the section to its new location. Place the section by left-clicking the mouse.
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Dimension the section to the part and regenerate. The middle mouse button
quits section placement.
Note: The DragAndDrop option is not available for sections fully aligned or
created with the Use Edge option.
o Create New - Discards the existing UDF section and creates a new section.
Select Confirm to verify your action. Sketch a new section.
When you redefine a missing reference used by several features double check to see
if:
• The skipped reference has a single prompt for all features. You must redefine the
reference for each use. For example, if you use an edge to place a hole and a cut,
and you set up a single prompt for both features, you must reselect the reference
edge for both the hole and the cut if you skip the edge reference when placing
the notch or punch.
• The skipped reference has individual prompts for all features. You only have to
redefine the reference for the feature where it is skipped.
4. Click Create.
5. Type a name for the notch or punch UDF in the UDF name box and click . The
UDF OPTIONS menu appears.
If you chose Stand Alone and want to create a reference part, type Y;
otherwise, type N.
7. Click Add on the UDF FEATS menu. The SELECT FEAT menu appears.
8. Define the UDF feature using either Select, Layer, or Range, and then click
Done > Done/Return.
9. Type Y for the prompt: Are you defining a UDF for PUNCH or NOTCH
feature? <Y/N>.
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Note: If you do not have a coordinate system in the feature, the UDF creation is
aborted. The following error message appears: Selected CUT must have a
coordinate system in the section. You are still able to complete the remaining
steps, but your UDF will be undevelopable because the coordinate system is
needed for manufacturing.
10. Type a tool name in the Tool name box. Be sure to enter the correct tool name
because the tool is referenced when and wherever the UDF is used. This tool
name prompt confirms you are creating a useable UDF.
12. Type a prompt for the highlighted surface. Use simple naming conventions that
will help you place the UDF. You need to type a prompt for each reference made
during the cut creation.
To Place a Notch
1. Click or click Insert > Shape > Notch. The Open dialog box opens.
3. If a reference part is available and you want to retrieve it, click Yes; otherwise
click No. The DISP OPTION menu appears.
o Read Only—Creates read-only dimensions. You can display them, but you
cannot modify them.
5. Reference and place the UDF using the prompts defined during the UDF creation:
Select the Alternate reference on the base part that matches your UDF prompt.
If you are unsure of a reference, click Skip and move on to the next prompt. You
can redefine the reference as appropriate.
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6. Click Done after defining all the references. The notch or punch is placed.
To Place a Punch
1. Click or click Insert > Shape > Punch. The Open dialog box opens.
3. If a reference part is available and you want to retrieve it, click Yes; otherwise
click No. The DISP OPTION menu appears.
o Read Only—Create read-only dimensions. You can display them, but you
cannot modify them.
5. Reference and place the UDF using the prompts defined during the UDF creation:
Select the Alternate reference on the base part that matches your UDF prompt.
If you are unsure of a reference, Click Skip, and move on to the next prompt.
You can redefine it as appropriate.
6. Click Done after defining all the references. The notch or punch is placed.
• Include a coordinate system in the section sketch. You need the coordinates for
manufacturing and tool axis symmetry. You cannot create or place the UDF
without a coordinate system.
• Enter the proper tool ID for the UDF. The tool ID refers to that same tool when
and where ever you use the UDF.
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• Creating notches intended to relieve bends after creating and unbending the
bend. You can use the bend geometry to place, dimension and align the notch.
• Locating all dimension references to sheet metal edges rather than datum planes.
The edge location carries the UDF as the sheet metal is bent and unbent. It also
eliminates creating extra datum planes before placing the UDF.
• Using relations in the reference part to reduce the number of variable dimensions
needed when placing the notch or punch. (Relation example: Cut height is always
0.5 of wall height.)
• Creating punch axis points while sketching the cut. These special datum points
are unbent and bent back with the feature. You can dimension to them in
drawings.
• When you are creating a table-driven notch or punch, you can modify any tool
name instance for in the table.
Bend
About Bends
A bend forms the sheet metal wall into an angular or roll shape. You sketch a bend
line and determine the bend's direction with direction arrows or your sketching view.
The bend line is a reference point for calculating the developed length and creating
the bend geometry.
Bends can be added at any time during the design process, as long as a wall feature
exists. You can add bends across form features, but you cannot add them where
they cross another bend. Depending on where you place the bend in your sheet
metal design, you may need to add bend relief.
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There are three bend options available for each angle or roll bend:
Note:
• You cannot copy a bend with the mirror option.
• While you can generally unbend zero-radius bends, you cannot unbend bends
with slanted cuts across them.
• You can modify the developed length of a bend area using the DEV LENGTH
menu. Modifying the developed length affects both the unbent geometry and
bend back features.
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4. Click Enter Value to change the developed length. You are prompted to specify
the new developed length.
OR
Click Rtrn to Driven to drive the dimensions by the bend table or Y-factor,
specify the new developed length, and click .
5. Regenerate the model. The new value overrides the default developed length.
Modifying the developed length affects both the unbent geometry and bend back
features.
Note:
• If you change the radius, the developed length changes accordingly unless you
explicitly override the developed length.
• If you change the developed length, the bend radius is not affected and loses its
relativity with the developed length.
• If you have changed the developed length using Enter Value and then changed
the bend radius, the developed length does not change after regenerating the
model.
Make sure you add material thickness to the desired radius. If you create the bend
when adding an extruded wall, you can thicken the sketch section and re-dimension
to the inside of the bend. For extruded or swept walls, you can specify No Radius and
manually sketch the radius in the section.
Zero-Radius Bends
You can enter zero for the bend radius. The resulting geometry shows a sharp edge
on the side to which the bend is dimensioned. If you want the geometry to show a
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radius, enter a very small value (0.0001). For sheet metal thickness this should not
matter.
You can generally unbend zero-radius bends. If you want to unbend the sheet metal
part make sure the bend has a small radius. You cannot unbend bends with slanted
cuts across them.
• RipRelief—Cut the material at each bend endpoint. The cuts are made normal to
the bend line.
You can either assign bend relief individually or you can set automatic bend relief
using the SMT_DFLT_BEND_REL_TYPE default.
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1. Bend line
2. Fixed geometry
You can adjust the bend line to make the resulting bend geometry coplanar with the
side of the sheet metal. Make sure any added bend relief does not exceed the
developed length of the bend.
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2. Fixed geometry and bend side 4. Fixed geometry and bend side
BLA = L - ( R + T )
Where:
90°
You can add bend line notes to drawings and the bend line notes are also present in
any flat state instances you create.
You can customize both the display order and bend line note symbols used in your
designs. You can change the order of the note elements by setting the
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Bend Type
Bend Direction
Bend Angle
In order for bend line notes to display, the last feature in your active part design
must be a Flat Pattern feature and the following conditions must be met:
• Bend Notes must be enabled (View > Sheetmetal Notes > Bend Notes).
• Notes must be selected to display in your model tree (Settings > Tree Filters).
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o <loadpoint>/text/usascii/special.src
o <loadpoint>/<machine_type>/text/usascii/special.fnt
o To modify the "rolled bend" text symbol, change the section just after the
lines:
o To modify the "formed bend" text symbol, change the section just after the
lines:
# Formed bend
o To modify the "down arrow" signifying bend down, modify the instructions
after the lines:
# Down arrow
o To modify the "up arrow" signifying bend up, modify the instructions after
the lines:
# Up arrow
3. After completing your modifications, compile the font with the command:
<loadpoint>/<machine_type>/obj/compile_font
<loadpoint>/text/usascii/special.src
<loadpoint>/<machine_type>/text/usascii/special.fnt
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Note:
• You can copy the .fnt file to another machine's
<loadpoint>/<machine_type>/text/usascii/special.fnt of the same
machine type.
• You can copy the .src file between machines of different types, and recompile it
on the new machine type.
Regular
• Roll—Bends a specific radius, but the angle is determined by both the radius and
the amount of flat material to bend.
1 Bend line
1. Click or click Insert > Bend Operation > Bend. The OPTIONS menu
appears.
o Roll—Create a bend with a specific radius and an angle, where the angle is
determined by both the radius and the amount of flat material to bend.
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o Part Bend Tbl—Reference the bend table associated with the overall part
for developed length.
o Inside Rad—Measure the radius from the inside surface of the part.
o Outside Rad—Measure the radius from the outside surface of the part.
6. Select the surface to bend. Reference and sketch the bend line. The bend line
must be a line and can only be one entity. You must align the line ends to the
outside edges of the sheet metal wall. When the sketch is complete, click on
the sketcher toolbar. The BEND SIDE menu appears.
8. Define the direction in which to make the bend: Okay or Flip—to change the
direction.
o Enter Value—Use the absolute value that you type in the Enter
dimension value box.
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o From Table—Select the appropriate radius value from the list. The radii
values are defined in the bend table assigned to the part. The From Table
command is unavailable if a bend table is not assigned to the part.
12. Either select one of the standard bend angle values or click Enter Value, and
type the exact bend angle value (in degrees).
o Enter Value—Use the absolute value that you type in the Enter
dimension value box.
14. Click OK on the BEND Options dialog box. The bend is created.
Planar
• Roll—Bends a specific radius, but the angle is determined by both the radius and
the amount of flat material to bend.
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Note: The neutral point for a planar bend is placed according to the current Y-factor.
Bend tables are not applicable.
1. Click or click Insert > Bend Operation > Bend. The OPTIONS menu
appears.
o Roll—Create a bend with a specific radius and an angle, where the angle is
determined by both the radius and the amount of flat material to bend.
o Part Bend Tbl—Reference the bend table associated with the overall part.
5. Select the surface to bend. Reference and sketch the bend line. When the sketch
is complete, click on the sketcher toolbar. The BEND SIDE menu appears.
7. Define the area to remain fixed: Okay or Flip—to change the direction.
8. Either select one of the standard bend angle values or Enter Value, and enter
the exact value (in degrees).
o Enter Value—Use the absolute value that you type in the Enter
dimension value box.
10. Define the side of the bend axis to create the bend: Okay or Flip – to change the
direction.
11. Click OK on the BEND Options dialog box. The bend is created.
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w/Transition
• Roll—Bend a specific radius, but the angle is determined by both the radius and
the amount of flat material to bend.
The following example shows a w/transition sketch and the resulting roll bend:
1 Bend line
2 Transition area
sketch
Note:
• w/Transition bends do not accept bend relief.
• If your design calls for a cut in a transition area, either create it before you make
the w/Transition bend or by unbending the bend, making the cut, and using the
bend back feature.
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1. Click or click Insert > Bend Operation > Bend. The OPTIONS menu
appears.
o Roll—Create a bend with a specific radius and an angle, where the angle is
determined by both the radius and the amount of flat material to bend.
o Part Bend Tbl—Reference the bend table associated with the overall part.
o Inside Rad—Measure the radius from the inside surface of the part.
o Outside Rad—Measure the radius from the outside surface of the part.
6. Select the surface to bend. Reference and sketch the bend line. When the sketch
is complete, click on the sketcher toolbar. The BEND SIDE menu opens.
8. Define the direction in which to make the Bend: Okay or Flip—to change the
direction.
9. Define the references for the transition area. The previous line “grays out.”
10. Sketch the transition area(s). The first line you sketch dictates the side that
should remain bent.
If you want to define another transition area, type Yes. Otherwise, type No.
11. Select one of the standard bend angle values or select Enter Value to enter the
exact value (in degrees)
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o Enter Value—Use the absolute value that you type in the Enter
dimension value box.
13. Click OK on the BEND Options dialog box. The bend is created.
Unbend
About Unbends
The unbend feature flattens any curved surface on the sheet metal part, whether it is
a bend feature or a curved wall.
There are three types of unbend available:
• Regular—Unbends most bends in a part. You select an existing bend or wall
feature to unbend. If you select all bends, you create a flat pattern of your part.
When creating an unbend you are asked to designate a surface or edge to remain
fixed. Your choice changes the default view of your model. Try to pick major surfaces
that you want to keep in the same position. If possible, be consistent and use the
same surface when creating several unbend features. You can save design time and
maintain consistency by setting an automatic fixed geometry element (Set Up >
Fixed Geom).
Features created after the unbend are children/dependent on the unbend. If you are
only temporarily unbending the part and do not need the unbend to maintain your
design intent, you should delete the unbend. By keeping it, you are merely crowding
the model tree with extra features that slow down part regeneration. Remember, if
you delete an unbend that has features created after it, those additional features will
also delete.
To sketch the flat state of walls that cannot be unbent due to complicated and non-
regular geometry, use the Metamorph option. With the DEFORM CONTROL menu
you can highlight and sketch contours of corresponding deformation areas. The
formed state of the wall suppresses and that flat state becomes active after the
unbend feature creation. The DEFORM CONTROL menu is available in the unbend
dialog box when you select Unbend All.
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• Regular Unbend with Edge Rip—Make a tear along the surface edge that
extends from the undevelopable region to the outside. Think of the edge rip as a
contact between an enclosed undevelopable region and the outside.
1. Click or click Insert > Bend Operation > Unbend. The UNBEND OPT
menu appears.
5. Select the surface(s) to deform. They need to have an edge on the outside of the
part.
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3. Unbent part, displaying actual positions of punch axis and datum points.
• Like a regular datum point, the punch axis point appears in the part, has a
standard point symbol, and an assigned name (for example, PNT0).
• Unlike a regular datum point, the punch axis point is not a separate feature. The
point moves with the placement plane of its parent feature during the unbend
and bend back operations. It is comparable to the feature axis in a revolved cut
in part mode.
2. Select the point placements and then click Done/Select. You are prompted for
plane and edge references.
4. Type the desired distances/coordinates for the punch axis points and click .
The punch axis points are created. Continue defining the cut, punch, or notch
feature.
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• If you add an unbend feature (or bend back) feature just to see how your model
looks flattened (unbent), delete the sample unbend feature before proceeding
with your design.
• If you specifically want to create features in a flattened state you should add an
unbend feature. Create the features you need in the flattened state and then add
a bend back feature. Do not delete the unbend feature in this case, features that
reference the unbend feature might fail regeneration.
• If you want a projected datum curve to follow a sheet metal bend, project the
curve after creating an unbend feature. The curve will follow the sheet metal
surface when you bend back the sheet metal wall.
Regular
After you unbend an area you can continue to add features, like cuts and rips.
Remember, the features following the unbend are children/dependent on the
unbend. If you delete the unbend the features will also delete. If you are temporarily
viewing the unbent model, be sure to delete the unbend feature before adding
features. The unnecessary features can slow down part regeneration and
development time.
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If you add walls that intersect when they are unbent, Pro/E highlights the
intersecting edges in red and warns you with a prompt.
1. Click or click Insert > Bend Operation > Unbend. The UNBENT OPT
menu appears.
Transition
1. Click or click Insert > Bend Operation > Unbend. The UNBEND OPT
menu appears.
3. Define any planes or edges to remain fixed during the unbend. The selected
entities highlight. Remember, both the driving and offset sides of a surface must
be selected for the selection to be valid.
4. Click Done Sel > Done Refs after picking all the desired planes and edges.
5. Define any surfaces to be deformed and complete the transition unbend feature.
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Xsec-Driven
After you unbend an area you can continue to add features, like cuts and rips.
Remember, the features following the unbend are children/dependent on the
unbend. If you delete the unbend the features will also delete. If you are temporarily
viewing the unbent model, be sure to delete the unbend feature before adding
features. The unnecessary features can slow down part regeneration and
development time.
You can not bend back a cross section unbend.
Note: The cross sections created must not intersect within the unbent geometry.
1. Click or click Insert > Bend Operation > Unbend. The UNBENT OPT
menu appears.
3. Select the needed attach chain and options on the CHAIN menu
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o Sketch Curve—Sketch the cross section curve. The curve can be a straight
line.
6. Define the side of the bend to remain fixed: Okay or Flip—to change the
direction.
7. Click OK on the Xsec Driven Type dialog box. The unbend is created.
Bend Back
Note:
• If you partially bend back a regular unbend containing a deform area the original
bent condition might not be obtainable.
1. Click or click Insert > Bend Operation > Bend Back. The BEND BACK
dialog box appears.
2. Select the plane or edge to remain fixed while you unbend the part. The
BENDBACKSEL menu appears.
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o Click Done.
4. Click OK on the BEND BACK dialog box. The part bends back.
Corner Relief
There are four possible ways to apply corner relief to bends or converted parts:
• Create the corner relief as a feature ( Feature > Create > Corner Relief)
• Create default relief automatically while unbending (Set Up > Corner Relief)
• Create default relief for all corners in the model or part templates (Set Up >
Parameters)
• Define the corner relief in the conversion feature dialog box (Feature > Create
> Conversion)
You can use and dimension corner relief that is smaller than the deformation area
bordered by the tangent lines of the intersecting bends.
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1. Click or click Insert > Corner Relief. The GET SELECT menu appears.
2. Select the 3D Note(s) needing similar corner relief. Click Done Sets.
o Enter Value—Uses the absolute value that you type in the Enter
dimension value box.
To relieve another corner, click Add. Click Done Sets after selecting all desired
corners.
5. Click OK on the CORNER RELIEF dialog box. The corner relief is created.
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o Enter Value—Use the absolute value that you type in the Enter
dimension value box.
Deform
The deformation area acts as a bridge between the multiple direction bend section
and the outside edges of the part. The deformation area must be tangent to both the
undevelopable surface and an outside edge.
You can either create the deformation area before unbending the section or you can
define the area during the unbend. To prevent undesirable distortion, it is
recommended that you define the deformation area before unbending and then use
it as the fixed surface during the unbend.
The developed length of unbent sheet metal geometry reflects the proper values.
Pro/SHEETMETAL approximates deformation area geometry by attaching vertices
with a line segment. The geometry does not become thinner or thicker. Because
developed length is typically determined empirically, you sketch the deformation
area geometry.
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Note:
• You can use a deformation feature to define edges for edge rips or to split
surfaces for bend line development.
• You can add features to deformation areas when the areas are unbent. Be sure to
bend back the area after you add any features.
1. Click or click Insert > Bend Operation > Deform Area. The DEFORM
AREA dialog box opens and the SETUP PLANE menu appears.
2. Reference and sketch the deform area. The deformation area must be a closed
section, in contact with the undevelopable region, and have an outside edge.
3. Click OK on the DEFORM AREA dialog box. The deform area is created.
Edge Bend
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If your design requires different bend parameters you can either change the entire
model’s bend parameters or you can customize the values for each edge individually
by redefining specific edges.
1. Click or click Insert > Edge Bend. The Edge Bend dialog box opens and
the Bend Pieces menu appears in the Menu Manager.
2. Select the edge or edges to bend and then click Done Sets.
3. Click OK on the Edge Bend dialog box. The edge bend is created.
3. Select the desired edge bend from the model tree – or – select the desired edge
bend from the graphics window. The edge bend highlights on the model.
4. Select Edge Bend on the EDGE BEND dialog box. Click Define. The BEND
PIECES and PIECE SEL menus appear.
5. Select the edge piece(s) to customize. Each edge you select is subject to any
value change. Click Done after selecting all desired edges. The Redefine Bend
Settings dialog box opens.
6. Select the bend element you want to redefine. Click Define. The appropriate
menus open for each element:
• Bend Table –
o Part Bend Tbl—Reference the bend table associated with the overall part.
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• Radius Type –
o Inside Rad—Measure the radius from the inside surface of the part.
o Outside Rad—Measure the radius from the outside surface of the part.
• Radius –
o Enter Value—Use the absolute value that you type in the Enter
dimension value box.
7. On the BEND PIECES dialog box, click OK. You return to the EDGE BEND dialog
box.
If you have redefined all the desired edge bend(s), click Done Sets. If you want
to change additional edges, click Redefine.
8. Click OK on the EDGE BEND dialog box. The edge bend is customized.
Inheritance
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The following list highlights some key sheet metal inheritance feature characteristics.
See the Advanced Assembly Extension module for more information on using
inheritance features:
• If the existing (target) sheet metal part includes a FIRST WALL feature then the
reference (base) part can not contain solid geometry, even if the base part is a
sheet metal part. The base part can only contain nonsolid geometry such as
datums and surfaces.
• If the existing (target) sheet metal part does not include a FIRST WALL feature
then the reference (base) part can either contain solid sheet metal geometry or
nonsolid geometry, such as datums and surfaces.
• You can not create inheritance features for existing (target) and reference (base)
features that contain a Thicken feature. If the target part contains a Thicken
feature the inheritance command is not available. If the base part contains a
Thicken feature you are prompted with an error message.
• The thickness of the sheet metal wall is driven by the FIRST WALL feature,
which can be in either the reference (base) part or the existing (target) part. You
can remove this thickness dependency by adjusting the VAR DIMS or
DEPENDENCY options in the inheritance feature dialog box. Set the
DEPENDENCY option to Independent.
• Bend allowance measurements are calculated using the bend allowance from the
part the feature is in. For example, a feature created in the reference (base) part
will be calculated according to the base model bend allowance. A feature created
in the existing (target) part will be calculated according to the target model bend
allowance.
• Relations can not be added to the VAR DIMS list because they are read only.
• The sheet metal bend radius is only accessible for the VAR DIMS list if you
define the radius as a numeric value. For example, d1 = 15 enables you to add
the radius to the list while d1 = smt_thickness() does not.
• The sheet metal developed length is only accessible for the VAR DIMS list if you
define the developed length as a numeric value. For example, L = 15 enables
you to add the developed length to the list.
• Any part Set Up commands (sheet metal parameters table, corner relief, bend
order) are taken from the existing (target) part.
• You can copy more than one inheritance feature into a target part.
• Sheet metal inheritance features have the same capabilities with relations,
parameters, redefining, and modifying.
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2. Either click Select and select the reference (base) part from an open window or
click Open and open the appropriate base part. The LOCATION menu appears.
3. Either click Default and use automatic coordinate system selection or click
Coord Sys and select the appropriate coordinate system.
4. Initially, all data from the reference part are present in the inheritance feature.
Define the data for the following inheritance feature options:
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Note: You can modify a sheet metal model that has a copied by reference part only
when the referenced part is open in the current session. Otherwise, the following
warning is displayed in the message area:
Some reference parts are unavailable. Modification of the sheetmetal
part is not allowed
• Flat Pattern—Flattens your sheet metal part when the design is complete.
• Flat State—Flattens your sheet metal part at various stages in the design
process.
Reports
About Reports
Reports provide information on bends, radii, and specific design rules established for
your sheet metal part. The reports enable you to investigate your design and to
ensure that it adheres to company standards. Reports are typically needed before
manufacturing the part.
Each report displays in a separate window. You can view, edit, or save each report to
a file.
You can access three types of reports:
• Bend Report—Lists detailed information about bends in your part. You
retrieve information on the overall calculation parameters for the bends. The
report lists information on bends assigned to a Feat Bend Tbl and bends that
are not 90 degrees. The report also provides part information, including the
part name, material code, thickness, and the appropriate bend allowance (Y-
or K-factor, or bend table).
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• Radii Report—Lists detailed information about the bend radii in your part. The
report lists any bend radii that do not match the values in an assigned bend table
or the default radius (that is you chose the Enter Value command). You retrieve
the feature ID, dimension parameter name, and the radius value. The report also
provides part information, including the part name, material code, thickness, and
appropriate bend allowance (Y- or K-factor, or bend table).
• Design Check—Lists detailed information about how your design complies with
your defined Design Rules. The report lists any violations in the model. You
retrieve the design rule name and formula, the desired and the current rule
values, as well as the reference IDs of edge features in violation. In order to
obtain this report, you must first define a rule table (Design Rules) and assign it
to your sheet metal part. Only planar walls are checked.
To Access Reports
1. Click Info > Sheetmetal. The Sheetmetal Info dialog box opens.
2. Click the desired report. You can only access one report at a time.
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o Radii Report—List detailed information about the bend radii in your part.
Flat Pattern
The flat pattern is helpful if you are constantly toggling between the solid and flat
versions of the design. If you add new features to your design the flat pattern
suppresses. It automatically resumes after the feature is added. If you do not want
to flip between the flat pattern and solid views for each new feature, manually
suppress and resume the flat pattern as needed. Sometimes you need to tweak the
flattened version of your design to ensure the manufactured version is accurate
You can create a flat pattern early in your design process so you can simultaneously
create and detail your sheet metal design.
Note: You can only create one flat pattern per part; after you create it, the flat
pattern option becomes unavailable.
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1. Click or click Insert > Bend Operation > Flat Pattern. The GET SEL
menu appears.
2. Select a plane or edge to remain fixed when the part is unbent or bent back. The
flat pattern is created.
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Flat State
• Transfer any features you added specifically to a flat state from the flat state to
the generic part with the Update command. The only exceptions are features
you specifically suppressed. You can then delete or suppress desired features
which, in turn, are deleted or suppressed in any other flat state in that part's
family table.
• List the flat state instances related to the generic part you have open with the
Show command. Select a flat state instance and it opens in a separate window.
You can make any needed design changes.
While flat states are copies of the generic part, you can edit individual flat state
instances to make any necessary modifications. Any new features you add to a flat
state are enabled in that specific flat state instance but suppressed in the generic
part. Any features you delete from a flat state are suppressed in the specific flat
state instance but still enabled in the generic part. Keep in mind that any features
you add to the generic part, after you create the flat state, are added to all flat state
instances.
When you create a flat state instance it automatically adds to the generic part's
family table. And every feature change you make in the flat state instance records in
the generic part's family table. A new feature receives a new column. A deleted
feature also receives a new column, unless the appropriate column already exists.
Note: Features added to flat state instances behave like features added to regular
family table parts. However, if you suppress a flat protrusion or unbend, you cannot
resume them with the Resume > All command. You must resume those features
individually (Resume > Feat ID or Resume >By Table).
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4. Click Create.
If this is the first flat state instance for the generic part, the PART STATE menu
appears. Define the state the part is in:
o Select the unbend features that you used to unbend your part and click OK.
o Define the state to put the generic part in and click Yes or No.
o Click Fully Formed. The Select and the Regular Type dialog box opens.
o Select a plane or edge to remain fixed while the part is unbent/bent back.
o Click OK in the Regular Type dialog box. The FLAT STAT menu appears.
4. Click Show. The Flat Models menu appears, listing all the flat states associated
with the part.
5. Select the desired flat state to show. The flat state opens in a separate window.
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The following is a multi-model sheet metal drawing which displays some essential
sheet metal detail functionality:
You can document the creation of the part using various views of the part and any
usual detailing capabilities. For example, you can:
• Display your part both in a designed condition and in a completely flattened
condition, in the same drawing. Sheet metal drawings are typically multi-model
drawings.
• Display bend order tables and bend ID notes for various views and models.
• Annotate your sheet metal drawing with bend line notes, which contain
information about the bend type, bend direction, and bend angle. You can
customize which model views display the notes, although generally only the flat
view of the model is annotated with bend line notes.
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While you can customize the position of your bend line notes, the following
default placement formats are available in your sheet metal drawings:
o Horizontal bends:
a. The bend line note is below the leader line which is terminated with a dot.
• Display the driven dimensions in your design. You can automatically ordinate the
dimensions in your drawing using the Automatic command. This command
saves you time when detailing and organizing your sheet metal model in
drawings.
3. In the Name box, type a name for your new sheet metal drawing.
o If you want to use the default template, click OK. Pro/ENGINEER opens a
new drawing.
Clear Use default template and click OK. The New File Options dialog
box opens.
Browse to the desired template. Click OK. The template file is assigned and
Pro/ENGINEER opens a new drawing.
You can now add views of your sheet metal parts, display dimensions, bend line
notes, bend order tables, and other detailing information. See the Detailing module
for information on creating and customizing your sheet metal drawings.
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2. Click Automatic. The ordinate dimensions are added to your drawing. The
dimensions contain appropriate jogs, but you can organize them as needed.
2. Click Show.
4. Under Show By, click the option (Feature, Part, View, Feature and View,
Part and View, or Show All) where to display the bend line notes.
5. Use the Options and Preview tabs to define what and when the bend notes
display.
2. Click Show.
3. Click .
4. Click Show All. The Confirm dialog box opens, asking: Are you sure that you
want to show all?
5. Click Yes. The bend order table appears in the top left corner of the drawing. The
bend ID notes appear on the flattened view.
6. Click Done Sel. The Close button is now available on the Show / Erase dialog
box.
7. Click Close. The bend order table and bend ID notes are displayed.
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Index
A creating ....................................22
B editing ......................................16
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SheetmetalDesign - Help Topic Collection
smt_bend_notes_order............... 39 D
166
Index
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SheetmetalDesign - Help Topic Collection
Feature Forms
clearing .................................... 25 H
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Index
K MIN_WALL_HEIGHT.......................25
Mass ........................................... 39 O
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SheetmetalDesign - Help Topic Collection
Project datum curves .................. 109 Creating edge rips .................... 106
Punch and die reference parts ...... 117 Creating regular rips ................. 105
Punches and notches .....38, 121, 123, Roll bend type ............................ 126
124, 125, 142
Rounds ...................................... 119
R
S
Radii report ............................... 155
Same-surface merge .....................37
Radius of bend ........................... 128
Secondary walls ............................48
Rectangular relief .................. 49, 129
Setting up ..................................... 8
Reference part ........................... 112
Sheet metal parts
References sketching
creating new............................... 2
skipped references ................... 122
obtaining information ................... 7
References sketching ...................... 4
Sheet metal parts .......................... 1
Regular Bends............................ 134
Shell conversion............................43
Regular rips ............................... 104
Sketching
Regular unbends ........................ 143
deformation areas .................... 149
Relief ............................49, 129, 147
Sketching...................................... 3
Reports
SMT_DFLT_ATTRIBUTES ................31
creating.................................. 158
SMT_DFLT_BEND_ANGLE ...............33
example ................................. 158
SMT_DFLT_BEND_RADIUS .............33
Reports .............................. 155, 156
SMT_DFLT_BEND_REL_ANGLE ........33
Revolve walls
SMT_DFLT_BEND_REL_DEPTH ........31
creating revolve......................... 71
SMT_DFLT_BEND_REL_TYPE...........31
Revolve walls ............................... 70
SMT_DFLT_BEND_REL_WIDTH........33
Rip connects
SMT_DFLT_CRNR_REL_DEPTH ........33
working with ............................. 47
SMT_DFLT_CRNR_REL_TYPE...........31
Rip connects ................................ 43
SMT_DFLT_CRNR_REL_WIDTH........33
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Index
SMT-MATERIAL ............................ 31 U
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wall relief.................................. 49 Z
Walls .......................................... 48
172