Welcome to the Onshape forum! Ask questions and join in the discussions about everything Onshape.
First time visiting? Here are some places to start:- Looking for a certain topic? Check out the categories filter or use Search (upper right).
- Need support? Ask a question to our Community Support category.
- Please submit support tickets for bugs but you can request improvements in the Product Feedback category.
- Be respectful, on topic and if you see a problem, Flag it.
If you would like to contact our Community Manager personally, feel free to send a private message or an email.
Ability to flatten a rolled part
bryan_lagrange
Member, User Group Leader Posts: 800 ✭✭✭✭✭
Working
in a sheet metal job shop we do have times where we need to get a
flat for a rolled piece. Sometimes it just a radius we have to
flatten or a full diameter. The goal is to get a proper flat pattern
for the guys on the shop floor to work with. I need the ability to
create a flat pattern for if it goes to the laser (the part has
geometry to be cut in it) (laser gets a .dxf file for CAM use) or a
flat bar that is rolled in to a ring ( the fabricator needs a length
so that he/she does not cut too much material, saving cost).
Here
is a link to the shapes I am referring
to:
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/6d8dd61c55bb52c67c801026/w/70d3460e1114046d5a0674ca/e/db6f02daf81bd934801bdd4b
In
the example I drew the OD with thickness but it would be nice to
either just to draw the OD or ID sketch and in the dialog box set the
material thickness.
For
a tube cutting laser, I have used in the past, the CAM software
requires a flat pattern of the pipe to program for it. You would
think a 3D model would work here but for some reason CAM software
like Tops400 requires a flat pattern. I found a lot of success in
creating a flat pattern for this software, for straight length cuts
of round, sq, and rectangle tubing/pipe, by creating a contour flange
in the shape of the circle and leaving .005 degrees (or leaving a gap
by the corner for sq/rec tube of .0005") of separation from the
ends and setting the K factor to 1.000.
This
post is just to show there are multiple instances where you need to
get a flat from the referenced shape. @NeilCooke@scott_harris
what are your thoughts on this topic?
Have
a great Sunday everyone
Best Answer
-
Options
lana
Onshape Employees Posts: 698 
I suppose this is the improvement request : https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/5815/sheet-metal-cylinder-flattening
Please add your votes, it helps us to prioritize the improvements.8
Answers
Twitter: @onshapetricks & @babart1977
Put this in improvement requests and you will have my vote!
Please add your votes, it helps us to prioritize the improvements.