Sheet Metal Features

When you click Insert Bends Tool_Insert_Bends_Sheet_Metal.gif on the Sheet Metal toolbar, or click Insert > Sheet Metal > Bends, two distinct stages are applied to the sheet metal part.

  • The part is flattened and a bend allowance is added. The developed length is calculated, based on the bend radius and bend allowance.
  • The flattened part is restored to the folded state to create the bent version of the part.
Three features appear in the FeatureManager design tree that are specific to sheet metal operations. These three features represent a process plan for the sheet metal part:
Sheet-Metal1 SHEET15.gif Sheet-Metal contains the definition of the sheet metal part. This feature stores the default bend parameter information (thickness, bend radius, bend allowance, auto relief ratio, and fixed entity) for the entire part. Sheet-Metal is stored in the Sheet-Metal folder.
Flatten-Bends1 sheet13.gif Flatten-Bends represents the flattened part. This feature contains information related to the conversion of sharp and filleted corners into bends.

Each bend generated from the model is listed as a separate feature under Flatten-Bends. Bends generated from filleted corners, cylindrical faces, and conical faces are listed as RoundBends; bends generated from sharp corners are listed as SharpBends.

The Sharp-Sketch listed under Flatten-Bends is the sketch that contains the bend lines of all sharp and round bends generated by the system. This sketch cannot be edited but can be hidden or shown.
Process-Bends1 sheet06.gif Process-Bends represents the transformation of the flattened part into the finished, formed part.

Bends created from bend lines specified in the flattened part are listed under this feature. Flat-Sketch, listed under Process-Bends, is a placeholder for these bend lines. This sketch can be edited, hidden, or shown.

Features listed after the Process-Bends icon in the FeatureManager design tree do not appear in the flattened view of the part.