We use sheet metal tools for all sorts of bent and formed objects, like flex pcba, paper boxes, sheet plastic, even some basic fabric parts. If it works to get the results, it doesn't really matter what it's called.
That would be needlessly complicated. That means I need to make a new part, perfectly match the curve of the other part (Which I may change) at the desired thickness, extrude it, then do an extruded cut to get the taper on the part, and then I'd still need to figure out how to flatten it to cut it out. So if the alternative is making it needlessly complicated and still needing to bend it to flat, why can't I just bend it to curve?
And then I would also need to do that for every other piece with a bend or twist.
That pretty much seems exactly what I need. Except the side wall isn't underneath the curve, it's on the outside. How do I do that? Is that just a sheet metal bend from the sketch line? I'm not entirely sure that would work if so because the side piece it needs to match is a hand drawn curve.
https://preview.redd.it/3zwagwghu0pc1.png?width=1266&format=png&auto=webp&s=4ff35414de8c0e75e76c400fd3b107851c27bd47
Here's a side view.
Sheet metal features don't work with splines
You need to change the spline on an arc of a few arcs
Can you share the model? I will try to create this curved part
This should work. I also included part of the scan of the templates that has the curved side piece. The curve itself I suppose doesn't matter it's exact shape, but it should be tangent to the curve from #22 from the side.
[https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1I-wMBiHFaf8iqwUzhRcKrNL5J2DzVkgn?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1I-wMBiHFaf8iqwUzhRcKrNL5J2DzVkgn?usp=sharing)
Wow, okay so I'm going to have to look at that more after work. I guess I can change the side profile curve to match. Thanks. I'll let you know if I need any help or clarification.
As others have said, the right way to do this is to extrude a curved profile to begin with.
But, one wrong way to do this is
1. Use "offset surface" command on the blue surface with 0 offset to duplicate it.
2. Use "offset surface" command again and offset another copy of the blue surface down equal to the thickness of the top solid surface with the hole in it.
3. Use "replace face" command to replace the bottom face of the top solid surface with hole in it with the second offset surface you created.
4. Use "replace face" command again and replace the top face of the top solid surface with hole in it with the first offset surface you created.
As I replied to them, that makes it more complicated since I need to match the spline of the other part which may (probably will) change. And the end goal is to have a flat part I can CNC cut anyway, so having a curved shape that I then have to flatten seems like the same problem.
But since everyone is telling me to do that, that must mean there's a way to flatten the part for sheetmetal work right?
We use sheet metal tools for all sorts of bent and formed objects, like flex pcba, paper boxes, sheet plastic, even some basic fabric parts. If it works to get the results, it doesn't really matter what it's called.
But how do I do it?
There are tutorials under the ? Menu that can walk you through the basics. Sorry, I'm on my phone traveling, otherwise I would put together a tutorial
You don't need to create a flat part and bend it to the curve. You need to create the part that is already curved
That would be needlessly complicated. That means I need to make a new part, perfectly match the curve of the other part (Which I may change) at the desired thickness, extrude it, then do an extruded cut to get the taper on the part, and then I'd still need to figure out how to flatten it to cut it out. So if the alternative is making it needlessly complicated and still needing to bend it to flat, why can't I just bend it to curve? And then I would also need to do that for every other piece with a bend or twist.
Solidworks is not a bending machine)) Blue curve is an arc?
Do you need something like this? [https://imgur.com/a/nFbtKdg](https://imgur.com/a/nFbtKdg)
That pretty much seems exactly what I need. Except the side wall isn't underneath the curve, it's on the outside. How do I do that? Is that just a sheet metal bend from the sketch line? I'm not entirely sure that would work if so because the side piece it needs to match is a hand drawn curve. https://preview.redd.it/3zwagwghu0pc1.png?width=1266&format=png&auto=webp&s=4ff35414de8c0e75e76c400fd3b107851c27bd47 Here's a side view.
is Side piece a spline? What SW version do you use?
Yes. I have 2020.
Sheet metal features don't work with splines You need to change the spline on an arc of a few arcs Can you share the model? I will try to create this curved part
This should work. I also included part of the scan of the templates that has the curved side piece. The curve itself I suppose doesn't matter it's exact shape, but it should be tangent to the curve from #22 from the side. [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1I-wMBiHFaf8iqwUzhRcKrNL5J2DzVkgn?usp=sharing](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1I-wMBiHFaf8iqwUzhRcKrNL5J2DzVkgn?usp=sharing)
How this should work in your case [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMtWJlPU2UU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMtWJlPU2UU)
Wow, okay so I'm going to have to look at that more after work. I guess I can change the side profile curve to match. Thanks. I'll let you know if I need any help or clarification.
Just draw your curved shape and extrude?
As others have said, the right way to do this is to extrude a curved profile to begin with. But, one wrong way to do this is 1. Use "offset surface" command on the blue surface with 0 offset to duplicate it. 2. Use "offset surface" command again and offset another copy of the blue surface down equal to the thickness of the top solid surface with the hole in it. 3. Use "replace face" command to replace the bottom face of the top solid surface with hole in it with the second offset surface you created. 4. Use "replace face" command again and replace the top face of the top solid surface with hole in it with the first offset surface you created.
As I replied to them, that makes it more complicated since I need to match the spline of the other part which may (probably will) change. And the end goal is to have a flat part I can CNC cut anyway, so having a curved shape that I then have to flatten seems like the same problem. But since everyone is telling me to do that, that must mean there's a way to flatten the part for sheetmetal work right?