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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Corner Reliefs - These are automatically added to maintain a bend shape when flanges are formed.
- 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.
- 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
- Join flange - the ability to join a contour flange to an already existing flange.
- Flatten
- DXF export
- Miter corner options
- Overrides
What we do not have
- Lofted Bends - At this time we do not have plans to do lofted bends
- 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.
- Cross breaks - We have no plans to add this functionality.
- 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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