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Sheet Metal Feedback (ARCHIVED)

31 REPLIES 31
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Message 1 of 32
promm
2580 Views, 31 Replies

Sheet Metal Feedback (ARCHIVED)

Alright everyone who’s bent on metal listen up! We’re conducting a limited preview of our new sheet metal functionality.  The goal of this preview is to allow our community to provide valuable initial feedback, allowing us time to make the necessary changes, while the team continues to work on the rest of the features that will be in our first release.  In this forum we will discuss your sheet metal workflows, capture feedback and provide instructions.  The number of users we bring into the preview is limited, but it will grow as we get closer to the release.  If you would like to be considered for participation, please email me at mike.prom@autodesk.com

 

For our first release of sheet metal we needed to pick a starting point.  After interviewing customers, industry experts, reviewing feedback from community and using our expertise in this subject matter we came up with the following functionality requirements for our initial release:

 

  1. Sheet Metal Rules - We found that the average user has a list of standard sizes that they repeatedly use.  Our goal is to make it so users can easily create a custom library of their rules.  Once the libraries are set up, access to selection when creating a sheet metal part is the goal of our design.
  2. One Flange tool - this will replace the need for a base, contour, edge and miter flange feature.  One feature makes it simple to use for those who are new to sheet metal and increasing speed for those who are experts.  
  3. Cut across bend - To solve this problem we looked at the different ways this has been done in the past.  It was very apparent that unfold and fold would be the best features to create a workflow to cut across a bend.  First you unfold, then you create a sketch of what you would like to cut, using extrude you can remove unwanted geometry and then refold the part.
  4. Corner Reliefs - These are automatically added to maintain a bend shape when flanges are formed.
  5. Flat Pattern - This functionality will take into account the stretch that happens when metal is formed in order to create a flat layout to be manufactured.
  6. DXF Export -  For the intent of sharing flattened designs.  Users can also go from a bent model, to flatten, to nested (manually at first) then to our CAM where you can create the tool paths for water/laser/routers.

 

In our January 19th update we have include the functionality (turned off by default)  that we have completed up to this point for creating a sheet metal part.  Meanwhile, the team continues working on our flattening functionality.  Numbers 1-4 from above are implemented and we’re looking for your feedback on how you use them in your workflows!



What we are working on

  1. Join flange - the ability to join a contour flange to an already existing flange.
  2. Flatten
  3. DXF export
  4. Miter corner options
  5. Overrides

 

What we do not have

  1. Lofted Bends -  At this time we do not have plans to do lofted bends
  2. Hem - As a part of the first release you will be able to join a profile for a contour style flange with your current design.  This will give you the ability to do things like create a hem.
  3. Cross breaks - We have no plans to add this functionality.
  4. Tabs/Rip - Tabs will not be a part of the initial release.  We are planning on creating a rip command that has the ability to create tabs when we work on the workflow to convert parts to sheet metal (this will be the third workflow we complete after our initial release for brake press creation and a workflow to bring in sheet metal parts from other CAD tools)



After our first release, there are two more workflows that are planned. The next target will be to use and flatten other CAD sheet metal models.  Users have expressed the need to be able to reuse designs they have already created.  Once completed the team will work on the ability to convert a model to sheet metal.  This will include the ability to start with a solid, shell, and cut the model into different components.  There may be other features added along the way based off of feedback we get from users like you.

 

Most importantly, we’re looking for feedback on how you use sheet metal in your everyday modeling workflows.  But, along with how you use sheet metal for your business, please consider creating the parts documented in up coming threads as a way to see how different users approach the same design.



This part is important - there is no guarantee that the models you make now will function properly once sheet metal is fully released later this year.  Please consider this when utilizing your time testing this functionality.

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31 REPLIES 31
Message 2 of 32
Gabriel.Castillo
in reply to: promm

Hola Pomm.

Estoy interesado en participar en esta investigación.

Soy Autodesk Certified User in Fusion 360 e instructor de Autodesk Inventor desde hace más de 10 años. Manejo muy bien Sheet Metal en Autodesk Inventor.

 

Interesante la temática espuesta en este foro.

 

Debo añadir, que la diferencia entre los diseñadores y los fabricantes, cada vez crece más, debido que quien diseña, prácticamente no fabrica ni corta en el CNC. Sugiero, que se tome en consideración esta observación para que el software sea más atractivo para los que no son diseñadores.

 

Saludos.

Especialista en Autodesk Inventor - Fusion 360 -(VDC - PLM - BIM)
Autodesk Authorized Academic Partner
Abstract Training Center - Venezuela
gabriel.castillo@atcpuntocurso.com
www.atcpuntocurso.com
Message 3 of 32
oakleym
in reply to: promm

When Creating a flange it is not obvious that you can control the end conditions, symmetric, Two Sided.

I think a better option would be to display all the arrows that allow modifications without needing to click the word "Edge"

If you don't click on the word "Edge" you never see the arrow indicating options

 

 

https://damassets.autodesk.net/content/dam/autodesk/logos/autodesk-logo-primary-rgb-black-small_forum.png
Message 4 of 32
oakleym
in reply to: promm

After pre selecting an edge and doing a Right mouse Click, I would expect to see an option in the menu to create a Flange, only Press Pull is available which creates a fillet.

https://damassets.autodesk.net/content/dam/autodesk/logos/autodesk-logo-primary-rgb-black-small_forum.png
Message 5 of 32
oakleym
in reply to: promm

It would be nice to see a Ghost image of the original edge that was selected while dragging out a flange.

It is hard to determine visually if the bend is added to the edge of subtracted from the edge.

https://damassets.autodesk.net/content/dam/autodesk/logos/autodesk-logo-primary-rgb-black-small_forum.png
Message 6 of 32
Gabriel.Castillo
in reply to: promm

La mayoría de los usuarios de Fusion 360, son hasta ahora, usuarios de Autodesk Inventor y de Solidwork. Sugiero se pueda importar las reglas de ambos software hacia Fusion 360. Esto sería genial.

Especialista en Autodesk Inventor - Fusion 360 -(VDC - PLM - BIM)
Autodesk Authorized Academic Partner
Abstract Training Center - Venezuela
gabriel.castillo@atcpuntocurso.com
www.atcpuntocurso.com
Message 7 of 32
Gabriel.Castillo
in reply to: promm

One Flange tool - Al momento de estar diseñando en chapa metálica, tenemos una principal limitante que es los límites de la chapa metálica que usaremos. Basándome que la gran mayoría de diseñadores en chapa metálica no trabajan con bobinas, rollos, de chapa metálica. Sino con secciones estándar de 2,4 x 1,2metros. entonces deberíamos tener siempre en proyección amarilla, dichos límites y a medida que vamos agregando operaciones a la chapa poder ver, como es su desarrollo dentro de dichos límites.

Especialista en Autodesk Inventor - Fusion 360 -(VDC - PLM - BIM)
Autodesk Authorized Academic Partner
Abstract Training Center - Venezuela
gabriel.castillo@atcpuntocurso.com
www.atcpuntocurso.com
Message 8 of 32
Gabriel.Castillo
in reply to: promm

Cut across bend - Basándome en mi sugerencia anterior del "One Flange Tool" podríamos trabajar en esa proyección amarilla para hacer el corte. mientras la estamos creando el sketch para el corte se reflejaría tanto en la cara doblada de la chapa como en la proyección del desarrollo.

Especialista en Autodesk Inventor - Fusion 360 -(VDC - PLM - BIM)
Autodesk Authorized Academic Partner
Abstract Training Center - Venezuela
gabriel.castillo@atcpuntocurso.com
www.atcpuntocurso.com
Message 9 of 32
oakleym
in reply to: promm

Allow a part that has overlaps to be flattened with a warning, and highlight the problem area.

It is often easier to fix the problem in a flattened state vs guessing in the formed state.

In the attached image i would normally flatten this and do a cut to remove the overlap.

 

https://damassets.autodesk.net/content/dam/autodesk/logos/autodesk-logo-primary-rgb-black-small_forum.png
Message 10 of 32
TravisJoe
in reply to: promm

Hello,

 

First, you do not know how excited I am for this. This has been the one big feature that has prevented me from using this as my main CAD package.

 

So far I am surprised that the workflow does not seem bad for the first release. I have used other packages when they started releasing new major features and was typically more disappointed. 

 

Some quick thoughts.

- It would be nice that push/pull, when the part has sheetmetal rules assigned, would radius on pushed on an edge (standard workflow) but when pulled on a edge would make a flange.

- As noted in the initial post, corner/miter editing is necessary to avoid a lot of work. Allowing custom gaps for manufacturing tolerance is also a must.
- Creating and editing of sheetmetal rules seems overly cumbersome. It would be nice to view and edit them like parameters. 

- Push/pull could be used to "move" flanges because the sheetmetal rules would be enforced.

- Edit/change global sheetmetal rules for the part could be easier to view and change.

 

As you can see many things could, and in my opinion should, be controlled by a minimal amount of commands. Push/Pull follows much of the typical sheetmetal design thinking. There is many things I dislike about Spaceclaim, but sheetmetal is something they do well. Otherwise I was able to quickly make some basic parts without much thought.

I will play with it some more. I need to make some more complex objects. I hope this is helpful!
Thanks again!!

Message 11 of 32
promm
in reply to: TravisJoe

Travis,

 

Thank you for spending your time to try sheet metal and giving some good initial feedback.  May I suggest starting a new post asking for press pull to work with sheet metal features to encourage more discussion around this topic?

 

Cheers,

 

Mike Prom

 

 

Message 12 of 32
cekuhnen
in reply to: promm

@promm

 

Any chance to be added to SM ? We right now would have a use for it at work.

Claas Kuhnen

Faculty Industrial Design – Wayne State Universit

Chair Interior Design – Wayne State University

Owner studioKuhnen – product : interface : design

Message 13 of 32
TravisJoe
in reply to: promm

@promm

I apologize, was not sure if we wanted one main thread on this or multiple. I would be happy to make separate posts for my more focused items.

 

I will also keep playing with sheetmetal and see what I can do to help. 

Message 14 of 32
promm
in reply to: TravisJoe

 Travis,

 

Good question, I would prefer separate posts to make discussions more focused.

 

Regards,

 

Mike Prom

Message 15 of 32
kellings
in reply to: promm

We need to be able to do a cut across bend like we have in Inventor. If a sheet metal part gets a lot of flanges where you have to constantly add unfolds and refolds, performance of the model becomes not good. If you can eliminate that from Fusion I'm good with this. If not, we need to do cut across bend with a sketch. 

Kevin Ellingson
Technical Specialist

If my post resolves your issue, please click the Accept Solution button.
Message 16 of 32
promm
in reply to: kellings

@kellings,

 

When planning sheet metal for Fusion 360, one goal was to have a way to cut across bends.  After we examined the three different ways you can do it in Inventor, along with workflows from other CAD tools we came to the decision that unfold and fold would be our one solution.  Can you shares the models with the poor performance examples that you are experiencing?

 

Thank you,

 

Mike Prom

Message 17 of 32
bryan5
in reply to: promm

How can I be a part of the sheet metal beta testing?

Bryan Lagrange
Message 18 of 32
promm
in reply to: bryan5

@bryan5,

 

Thank you for your interest is sheet metal.  I have added you to my list of users who are willing to spend some time using the new sheet metal functionality.  Each week I will be adding more people from my list to our limited preview based off of the current testers feedback.  Once you get added you will receive an email giving more details.

 

Cheers,

 

Mike Prom

Message 19 of 32
bryan5
in reply to: promm

Thank you

Bryan Lagrange
Message 20 of 32
O.Tan
in reply to: promm

@promm when you mentioned no guarantee, what you mean by that? Will the SM file become invalidated or it'll just be a dumb model? I think people will be fine if the final model becomes a dumb model (it's an acceptable compromise from my point of view) but will be a problem if it becomes invalidated.



Omar Tan
Malaysia
Mac Pro (Late 2013) | 3.7 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon E5 | 12GB 1.8 GHz DDR3 ECC | Dual 2GB AMD FirePro D300
MacBook Pro 15" (Late 2016) | 2.6 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 | 16GB 2.1 GHz LPDDR3 | 4GB AMD RadeonPro 460
macOS Sierra, Windows 10

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