Fold/Unfold Sheet Metal Parts
Sheet Metal Tool
Tab
Use these commands to unfold and refold the axial bends in a 3D sheet metal part. Unfolding the part will show how the size and shape of the flat pattern. The part can also be detailed on a drawing sheet in its unfolded state. Also included here is a command to set the stationary face. This will govern how the part will unfold. Refer to the commands below.
Use this command to unfold axial bends in a 3D
sheet metal part. The
part is sized to accommodate the expansion characteristics of the bent
sheet metal and any notches, holes, planar cutouts, or cutouts across
bends.
The resulting part is also called a flat pattern. Sheet
metal parts can be refolded using the Fold
Sheet Metal Part command. For
assigning default sheet metal attributes and additional unfold options
refer to the Sheet Metal Attributes Form.
Use this command to fold axial bends in a 3D sheet metal
part after it has been unfolded with the Unfold Sheet
Metal Part command. The
part is resized to accommodate the expansion characteristics of the bent
sheet metal and any notches, holes, planar cutouts, or cutouts across
bends. For
assigning default sheet metal attributes and additional fold options refer
to the Sheet Metal Attributes Form.
Optional Inputs
Bend faces
Select the bend faces to fold or middle-click to fold all bends. You can select inner or outer bend faces.
Use this command to set the stationary face of a sheet metal part. This face remains stationary when the part is folded or unfolded. If this command is not used, the default stationary face will be the face with the largest surface area. You can also set or change the stationary face during the Fold and Unfold Sheet Metal Part commands.
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Assigning Names to Features (see CAD Tips & Techniques).
Use the Mark Sheet Metal Bend command on all bends that are not specifically created using the Full Sheet Metal Flange or Partial Sheet Metal Flange commands. The part should also be subjected to at least one Unfold/Fold operation before modifying the bends using the Change Bend Angle and Change Bend Radius commands. This does not apply to bends added using the create flange commands. Those bends can be edited as soon as they are created.
