Bending a model/sheet

[kevinrobson]

I've been designing a component to fit within a sliding glass window.
So you can see it has a slot at one side, and a plug at the other side to fit into the window recess. 

It is also too big to fit on my bed, so will need to be printed in two halves.

I'd pretty much got it how I wanted, but when I've actually printed it I've realised the glass is quite concevexed and not flat. Doh!

Is there any way I can resurect this model without start again from scratch?

I'm happy with the centre bits being flat. But I need the slot and the plug (the ends of which are in red) to be convexed, in an arc shape, apprx 6mm over the full length. I've tried to draw what I mean in blue. Hopefully this is clear.

Can anyone advise how I could achieve this without starting again?

Thanks in advance.

[kevinrobson]

And the model itself

[jhackney1972]

You may be able to use the method outlined in this Blog Article and Video.  Looking at your model, I note it is two bodies.  To make this method work, you will have to combine them into one body.  Just a thought.

[g-andresen]

Hi,

here is the method as suggested by @jhackney1972 

günther

[kevinrobson]

Thanks. The above link doesn't take me exactly to a video unfortunately.

[kevinrobson]

Thanks.
I've not been able to access the video linked above.
Once I can I will have a look and see if I can make it work.

In an ideal world I would just bend the slots at each side, leaving the middle section flat, but I can probably get away with bending the whole thing.

I'll have a play once I get the video. But starting to think it might be easier to take the design all the way back to where the slots were added.

[jhackney1972]

The video link in inside of the text of the article.  I show it below and I will attach the link here also.

[g-andresen]

Hi,

1.Unfortunately, you have not provided any comprehensible information on the bending curve.

But:

The shape of the bend is determined by the sheet metal body.

2. Of course, it is always better to take the curve into account from the beginning.

günther

[g-andresen]

Hi,

---

@kevinrobson  schrieb:

In an ideal world I would just bend the slots at each side, leaving the middle section flat, but I can probably get away with bending the whole thing.

---

How to turn with an individual curve

günther

[g-andresen]

Hi,

---

@kevinrobson  schrieb:

 But starting to think it might be easier to take the design all the way back to where the slots were added.

---

The biggest disadvantage of subsequent bending is the creation of an exact bending curve.
You can avoid this effort if you create a sheet metal body from the very beginning.

günther

[kevinrobson]

Thanks all. In the end I managed to just remove the edges and replace with a block. I was then able to sketch curved slots and extrude them, leaving the centre sheet flat. This worked better for me. 

Thanks all.