Unfortunately sheet metal bending is not always going to be the same in every shop.
Fold sheet metal inventor.
Most frequently expensive sheet metal bending tools called brakes are used to bend sheet metal but you can also complete this task without one.
Which means regardless where the model geometry originates you can convert it to sheet metal add sheet metal features and generate the flat pattern.
Autodesk inventor allows for converting models to sheet metal.
Click to indicate whether the line defines the centerline start or end of the bend.
Specify the location of the fold line.
Let s start with the rules of sheet metal.
The bend line must be placed on the face you are folding and must terminate at face edges.
Rule 1 you must have a consistent thickness.
In fold location click one of the following to specify.
Many software packages like solid works inventor and solid edge will let you incorporate a bend allowance chart into its calculations when developing flat patterns.
Use the fold angle to set the bend angle and the bend radius to override the radius set by the sheet metal styles if required.
Unlike the bend flange contour flange or hem features which all add material to the design the fold feature does not add material.
I am being told by our shop here that when part is shown in the flat view the fab guy needs to see different style lines for folds the go up or down.
Click the bend line to use for the fold.
On the ribbon click sheet metal tab create panel fold.
Autodesk inventor webinar series.
A fold on a sheet metal face forms about a straight sketched bend line that terminates at face edges.
On the ribbon click sheet metal tab create panel fold.
Bending sheet metal by hand is a manageable task if the piece of sheet metal is small and thin enough to handle.
Autodesk inventor webinar series.
Creating a chart with your standard values is a key component of speeding up this process.
Click the bend line to use for the fold.
Have a question for any sheetmetal workers.
Use fold location to set what the sketched bend line represents the start of the bend the end of the bend or the centerline of the bend.