How do i toolpath two folded components?
Workflow, unless you are doing this on a 4 axis CNC then you should use the Flat Models before you put the bend in, as there is nothing in the Timeline to show the bending where it could be edited I did the next best thing and just created two Flat versions and placed them in two individual Files, you need to go right back to where you created the Sketch and extruded it for the shape of the brackets, just do them as Flat plate and if you then want to see a version of the actual bent Model use the "Sheet Metal" function to create a Model you can see the shape of.
The Model is really just "cosmetic" for you to look at or maybe send an image to a Customer of what the finished item will look like, if you need to you can create a Drawing with dimensions etc, etc, etc 🙂 🙂
Meantime if you are struggling to get the job cut try the attached files, one is for machining and the other is the "Cosmetic" Model one.
I will leave you to do all the Chamfering on the Manufacturing version, TBH I just forgot to put them back on 🙂 🙂
@engineguy wrote:
Workflow, unless you are doing this on a 4 axis CNC then you should use the Flat Models before you put the bend in, as there is nothing in the Timeline to show the bending where it could be edited I did the next best thing and just created two Flat versions and placed them in two individual Files, you need to go right back to where you created the Sketch and extruded it for the shape of the brackets, just do them as Flat plate and if you then want to see a version of the actual bent Model use the "Sheet Metal" function to create a Model you can see the shape of.
The Model is really just "cosmetic" for you to look at or maybe send an image to a Customer of what the finished item will look like, if you need to you can create a Drawing with dimensions etc, etc, etc 🙂 🙂
Meantime if you are struggling to get the job cut try the attached files, one is for machining and the other is the "Cosmetic" Model one.
I will leave you to do all the Chamfering on the Manufacturing version, TBH I just forgot to put them back on 🙂 🙂
I was repeatedly advised to design in final form, therefore i did not start by making a flat piece of plate then fold it. Did i do it wrong? I realise there are some circumstances where the program forces you to start with flat plate and fold it, but this didn't seem like one of those.
The files you created didn't just delete the chamfers, the logo 'RHS' also moved out of position.
Are you saying, that, because you couldn't unfold both at the same time, you put them in separate files, unfolded them, then put them back into one file?
I am aware that the sketch(s) for the logo 'RHS' are not present. Is that causing issues? I don't understand the significance of sketches, or at least, why they should be a fusion show stopper, since, when there is a solid model in the program, fusion obviously has all the dimensional data it needs?
Are many or most or all fusion users sometimes thrashing around trying to make things work by whatever workaround they can, or is there actual logic to the program that means users can obtain a seamless experience?
Previously, i typically exported DXF's of flat patterned or unfolded (so many workarounds i forget) components into files for manufacturing. Considering you lost the chamfers, i wonder if you used that workaround?
Often the program shows me that it can do the things i want it to do, such as in this instance quickly and simply unfolding a component i created in final form, which i could then seemingly toolpath, but due to oddities the program stops the outcome from being achieved.
Here is a Screencast of what I would consider a logical workflow, not saying this is how it should be done, it is only an example of how it could be done incorporating both a Design Model and a flat version for machining, see image below for what I ended up with. It did take me a little longer than if I had all the information to hand because I had to gather it all from the original files and also import the Logo so it did take me around 35~40 minutes which is probably longer than it might have, it may not be exact, it is after all only an example of a different workflow 🙂
Anyway, the file is attached and any/all input that might make the job quicker/easier will be more that welcome, that is what we are all here for, I am sure there are some folks out there that can improve on what I have done here 🙂 🙂 🙂
Screencast link here :- https://autode.sk/3Ebm1GK
@engineguy wrote:
Here is a Screencast of what I would consider a logical workflow, not saying this is how it should be done, it is only an example of how it could be done incorporating both a Design Model and a flat version for machining, see image below for what I ended up with. It did take me a little longer than if I had all the information to hand because I had to gather it all from the original files and also import the Logo so it did take me around 35~40 minutes which is probably longer than it might have, it may not be exact, it is after all only an example of a different workflow 🙂
**********HERE IS MY REPLY***********
(The attack of the feint means it is no longer distinct)
Below is a copy of the hand sketch i was working from:
Technically, you don't know the size of a plate until you unfold it. A folded plate with 35mm tab on one side and 70mm tab on the other won't actually be 105mm. Following the wrong workflow could mean that holes don't line up correctly, etc.
I found it easy to use sketches to create the slots and put them in position then extrude. Any changes i want to make after that, if the sketch is still in place i would change that, otherwise i might move faces.
I consider my way of lining up the logo to possibly be quicker and easier? I measured the width of the logo. I then created a sketch on the angled plate, drawing a line from the midpoint of the plate, going half the distance of the logo across, then up the distance i thought i wanted. I then used move point-to-point to put the lower left corner of the logo on the sketch point. I am not quite sure how i otherwise oriented the logo, it might have automatically aligned itself with the angle plane, etc, or i might have done that.
I expect you would agree that you started this with full knowledge available. Typically i am designing as i go. If i created the manufacture version first, then created the design version, by that time the manufacture version would be out of date. I would end up having to create and work on two versions of something, which really isn't the intention or ideal with regards to design and manufacture in the modern computer age.
Overall i prefer my previous workaround of exporting a dxf of the flat pattern then opening the dxf in a new file and recreating the chamfers, compared to what you have done. My way is more technically correct, and if mitred folds are involved your technique simply doesn't work.
