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Unfold/Fold

With the Unfold and Fold tools, you can flatten and bend one, more than one, or all of the bends in a sheet metal part.

For faster system performance, unfold and fold only the bends that you need for the task that you are performing.
This combination is useful when adding a cut across a bend. First, add an Unfold feature to flatten the bend. Next, add your cut. Lastly, add a Fold feature to return the bend to its folded state.
Original part unfold_fold1.png
One bend is unfolded unfold_fold2.png
Cut through the unfolded bend unfold_fold3.png
Bend is folded back up unfold_fold4.png

Unfolding Bends

To add an unfold feature:

  1. In a sheet metal part, click Unfold Tool_Unfold_Sheet_Metal.gif on the Sheet Metal toolbar, or click Insert > Sheet Metal > Unfold.
  2. In the graphics area, select a face that does not move as a result of the feature for Fixed face PM_shm_Fixed_Face.gif.
    unfold1.png
  3. Select one or more bends as the Bends to unfold select_bend_flat.png, or click Collect All Bends to select all the appropriate bends in the part.
    unfold2.png
  4. Click PM_OK.gif.

    The selected bends unfold.
    unfold_fold3.png

Folding Bends

To add a fold feature:

  1. In a sheet metal part, click Fold Tool_Fold_Sheet_Metal.gif on the Sheet Metal toolbar, or click Insert > Sheet Metal > Fold.
  2. In the graphics area, select a face that does not move as a result of the feature for Fixed face PM_shm_Fixed_Face.gif.
    fold1.png
  3. Select one or more bends as the Bends to fold PM_shm_Bends_to_Fold.gif, or click Collect All Bends to select all the appropriate bends in the part.
    fold2.png
  4. Click PM_OK.gif.

    The selected bends fold.
    unfold_fold4.png



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