sheetmetal bridge

[mr.ska]

sheetmetal bridge

Right now I have a sheetmetal part that, in perspective, looks like this:

 |
  \   \\  
    |_

(Apologies for the poor ASCII art. I should just take an image, but I'm feeling lazy.) The angled section is only there to connect the top vertical flange with the rest. Ideally, I'd like to specify where the top of the L is, and where the bottom of the top flange is, and simply bridge a flange between the two. As it stands however (after consulting with the consultant) I have to specify a length and angle for that angled part, and then do the same for the top flange.

Short summary: I'd like to have a sheetmetal bridge function, please!

 

[rbrian]

sheetmetal bridge

Hi, I am not quite sure about what you mean by a sheet metal bridge?! (Maybe the artwork you showed - did not get the message across!)

<Suggestion - use SnagIt or similar tools - capture it - save it and post it here! - Snagit is available for a free trial here http://www.techsmith.com/products/snagit/default.asp >

Hope that helps.

Robert Weekley

 

[Anonymous]

Instead of a sheetmetal bridge how about the ability to extrude a thin profile and then add your bends to the extruded part (similar to how Pro/E does it). This would accomplish your "bridge" function plus a lot more.

 

[rbrian]

sheetmetal bridge or thin extrude

Well - have you tried the thin wall boss extude?

Look at the image and windows AD file I posted for you on my site here: http://aircraft-computational.com/alibre-images/tests/

Maybe you can look at the picture - and get the idea, if not - open the AD file and have a look in that - start by editing the extrudes I have there!

I think this might do it for you. If not - I would need to have some time and talk - either a Team Session - with chat - or voice!

Robert weekley

 

[mr.ska]

Ugh... last time I try ASCII art.

Yes, doing a thin boss extrusion would do it, were it not for the fact that a part cannot be converted into a sheetmetal part (again, as Pro/E does it). The biggest reason I'm using sheetmetal is for the unbend and flatten functionality. We're taking delivery of a plasma table this week (knock on wood) so being able to produce flats that we can export to program said plasma table with is very, very important.

Let me put things this way: Currently, Alibre 7.0 sheetmetal does not do all that I would like it to do. It's still quite useful, but for some instances in a very cumbersome way. However, I'm willing to hold my tongue and wait and see what V8 has to offer. (Hopefully not just carrot juice. :lol: :roll: )