topic Re: How to re-dimension sheet metal part? in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

How to re-dimension sheet metal part?

rossjm5075 — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 03:24:17 GMT

I downloaded the attached part from a STEP file, and I'd like to be able to parametrically re-dimension the model.

As per the screencast, when I tried to do so, Fusion 360 wouldn't let me proceed, and gave the message that adding the dimension would cause the model to be over-constrained.

How can I parametrically drive the dimensions? Thank you!

Re: How to re-dimension sheet metal part?

laughingcreek — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 03:16:03 GMT

no screen cast

Re: How to re-dimension sheet metal part?

rossjm5075 — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 03:23:35 GMT

Sorry about that. I just updated access to the screenshot to make it available for "Anyone." Hopefully now you can see the screencast. Tks!

Re: How to re-dimension sheet metal part?

hamid.sh. — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 03:33:55 GMT

You haven't shared a screencast, but I am guessing you were trying to dimension the sketch in the flat pattern. Firstly it was made by projection link on, so it's already constrained and thus cannot be dimensioned. Secondly, that sketch is a child of your sheet metal body and even if you change it it won't affect the shape. Now, the shape is pretty easy to recreate with just drawing a new sketch. But there is also a way to recreate it with help from the original body. I did this:

1. Unfold

2. Project the unfolded body, with projection link OFF. Dimension it. Include the bend line. Refold.

3. Make a new component

4. Make a Flange of the sketch made in step 2.

5. Bend, with a sheet metal rule bend radius overrode to match the original body

Now you can change dimensions of the new sketch and the new body will follow it (I have changed the appearance of original body):

File is attached.

Re: How to re-dimension sheet metal part?

rossjm5075 — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 03:50:30 GMT

Thank you. I will try your solution, and I'm also trying again to provide the screencast here.

https://screencast.autodesk.com/Embed/Timeline/128fe376-45fd-4ffa-bddd-5ee3177debc8

Re: How to re-dimension sheet metal part?

rossjm5075 — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 05:12:11 GMT

Many thanks, again, @hamid.sh. I think that's a great solution, and I'm trying it now, but I have some very basic questions about dimensioning/constraining, as per this Screencast: https://autode.sk/3j2tXOQ . (How do I change the angle, while maintaining steady the vertical distance/displacement of the horizontal line? When I change the angle, the horizontal line above wants to move up or down). Thank you!

Re: How to re-dimension sheet metal part?

hamid.sh. — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 05:53:29 GMT

It's hard to tell from your screencast what do you have there, but it seems you have applied 85 mm dimension on a different entity. Also lines are not coincident:

Also there is one more important point here: Generally you should not start to change dimensions of a sketch when it's still under-constrained. In the file I sent you I fully constrained the sketch as indicated by the red lock on its name in the browser and all black entities. So when I change the angle that line stays (screencast). But the one you show in your screencast is blue.

Maybe compare your sketch with mine? Long press of left mouse button close to entities brings up of list of them which might help you investigate.

Re: How to re-dimension sheet metal part?

laughingcreek — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 16:07:25 GMT

you have this selected in your preferences-

when you create a sketch on a face, it projects the edges of that face into the sketch (which is why you have a shaded profile. In it's infinite wisdom, AD decided to make these projected lines nearly invisible to, and I quote, "cut down on clutter")

they also thought it was a good idea to have this selected by default on new installs, I think cause it's fun to goof up noobs with something that's impossible to find with out asking.

turn that preference off now. it's not helping you.

if you get a magnifier out, and use just the right light, you can see the project line that you put the diminsion to by accident here-

you can actually select that line and delete it if you want, to prevent accidently using it again. be aware that all the other hidden lines will still be there, lying in wait. just harder to find cus there will no longer be a shaded profile fromthem.

Re: How to re-dimension sheet metal part?

rossjm5075 — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 17:19:14 GMT

Thank you @laughingcreek, that's incredibly helpful and explains why I couldn't constrain the sketch properly!

Re: How to re-dimension sheet metal part?

rossjm5075 — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 17:20:43 GMT

Many thanks, @hamid.sh. That's incredibly helpful, and along with your earlier advice solves my problem nicely!

Re: How to re-dimension sheet metal part?

rossjm5075 — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 19:09:24 GMT

@Anonymous.sh, in your instructions below, somehow I lost the ability to refold. I clicked "re-fold" in the Sketch, but nothing happened and the "re-fold" button disappeared. Do I need to extrude the sketch first before I refold? Or convert to sheet metal? Or . . . ?

Also, for the bend line, where do I include this? Do I go to Flat Pattern to do that? Or do it in the sketch? Thank you!

Your instructions:

1. Unfold

2. Project the unfolded body, with projection link OFF. Dimension it. Include the bend line. Refold.

3. Make a new component

4. Make a Flange of the sketch made in step 2.

5. Bend, with a sheet metal rule bend radius overrode to match the original body

Re: How to re-dimension sheet metal part?

rossjm5075 — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 23:52:37 GMT

OK. Figured it all out now. Your solution works great, @Anonymous.sh! Thank you!