Create sheet metal contour flange

Use Contour Flange to create a flange defined by multiple lines, arcs, splines, or elliptical arcs. This command is only available if an unconsumed open profile exists in your part.

Create a contour flange as the base feature
  1. On the ribbon, click Sheet Metal tab Create panel Contour Flange .
  2. Click an open profile.
  3. The flange material thickness is previewed. Optionally, you can specify that the material thickness is created along the opposite side of the selected profile. Select the middle button (located under the edge selection field). Using the selected profile as the material mid-plane is possible by selecting the right button.
  4. Accept the default bend radius or specify a bend radius if you prefer a bend that differs from the current sheet metal style.
  5. Under Extents, specify an extrusion distance.

    Click a Direction to set the extrusion direction relative to the profile sketch plane.

  6. Click OK.

Create a contour flange along edges
  1. On the ribbon, click Sheet Metal tab Create panel Contour Flange .
  2. When prompted, select an open profile.
  3. You are prompted to: Select edge (see the following tip). After selecting an edge, the contour flange previews along the selected edge using the default parameters.
    Tip: Select additional edges to create a single contour flange feature along multiple edges.

    The flange material thickness is created along the selected profile toward the material of the selected edge. Optionally, you can specify that the material thickness is created away from the selected profile relative to the material of the selected edge. Select the middle button (located under the edge selection field). Using the selected profile as the material mid-plane is possible by selecting the right button.

  4. Use the default Bend Radius or enter a new value.
  5. Modify any Unfold Options, Bend, or Corner settings that differ from those options defined by Sheet Metal Style as required by selecting the dialog box tab and altering parameters as required.
  6. Click Apply to continue to add contour flanges or click OK to close the dialog box.

    Edge Selection Notes:

    • The edge selected for your contour flange must be perpendicular to the profile sketch plane.
    • Multiple edges cannot be selected if the following conditions exist:
      • The start or endpoint of your profile sketch is not coincident with the infinite line defined by the first selected edge.
      • The extents option (on the More tab) is set to: Width, Offset, From-To or Distance.
      • The selected profile contains geometry other than straight-line or circular arc segments.
    • When canceling the selected edges from a multi-edge set, you cannot cancel the primary edge which satisfies the criteria described previously.
    Tip: If needed, click the right-pointing arrow in the Distance, Angle, or Bend Radius field to use Measure, Show Dimensions, or List Parameters to set the appropriate value.

Show Me how to create a contour flange

Create a multi-edge contour flange with auto-miter
  1. On the ribbon, click Sheet Metal tab Create panel Contour Flange .
  2. When prompted, select an edge. Select multiple edges to receive flanges using the values you enter.

    The contour flanges are previewed along the edges selected using the default parameters. Notice that contour flanges that share a common corner automatically show a full or partial miter as required.

    Note: If adjacent contour flanges do not preview with miter corners verify that the Apply Auto-mitering check box is checked on the Contour Flange dialog box Corner tab.
  3. Optionally, modify any of the contour flange parameters. These parameters apply to each contour flange created.
  4. Click Apply to continue to add additional contour flanges using alternative parameters or click OK to create the previewed contour flanges and close the dialog box.

Create a contour flange around an edge loop
  1. On the ribbon, click Sheet Metal tab Create panel Contour Flange .
  2. When prompted, select an open profile.
  3. When prompted, select an edge.
  4. On the Contour Flange dialog box, click Loop Select Mode.
  5. When prompted, select an edge loop.

    The contour flange now previews around the selected edge loop using the default parameters.

    The flange material thickness is created along the selected profile towards the material of the selected edge. Optionally, you can specify that the material thickness is created away from the selected profile relative to the material of the selected edge. Select the middle button (located under the edge selection field). Using the selected profile as the material mid-plane is possible by selecting the right button.

  6. Use the default Bend Radius or enter a new value.
  7. Modify any Unfold Options, Bend, or Corner Settings that differ from the options defined by Sheet Metal Style as required by selecting the dialog box tab and altering parameters as required.
  8. Click Apply to continue to add contour flanges or click OK to create the previewed flange and close the dialog box.

    Loop Selection Notes:

    • The profile sketch must be coincident and perpendicular to one of the edges of the loop (not necessarily the edge used to select the loop)
    • It is possible to combine single-edge and loop selection within a single contour flange feature.
    • Multiple edges cannot be selected if the following conditions exist:
      • The start or endpoint of your profile sketch is not coincident with the infinite line defined by the first selected edge
      • The extents option (on the More tab) is set to: Width, Offset, From-To or Distance
      • The selected profile contains geometry other than straight-line or circular arc segments
    • When canceling the selected edges from a multi-edge se,t you cannot cancel the selection of the primary edge which satisfies the criteria described previously.
    Tip:
    • Selecting a complex loop and de-selecting individual edges can be faster than manually selecting the needed edges. Select the loop and after the flange previews, select Edge Select Mode, and then CTRL select the edges you want to cancel.
    • If needed, click the right-pointing arrow in the Distance, Angle, or Bend Radius field to use Measure, Show Dimensions, or List Parameters to set the appropriate value.

Create a specific width contour flange
  1. On the ribbon, click Sheet Metal tab Create panel Contour Flange .
  2. When prompted, select an open profile.
  3. When prompted, select an edge. (Although you can select multiple edges when creating a contour flange of a specific width, you must only select a single edge). After selecting an edge, the contour flange previews along the selected edge using the default parameters.

    The flange material thickness is created along the selected profile towards the material of the selected edge. Optionally, you can specify that the material thickness is created away from the selected profile relative to the material of the selected edge. Select the middle button (located under the edge selection field). Using the selected profile as the material mid-plane is possible by selecting the right button.

  4. Use the default Bend Radius or enter a new value.
  5. Click More on the lower right of the dialog box.
  6. From the Extents Type drop-down list, select Width.
  7. Enter a value for the width in the Width field.

    If the contour flange is to be centered along the selected edge, you can continue. Otherwise you can select the Offset option on the dialog box and a start point on the selected edge from which the flange is offset. Enter a value for the amount of offset from the selected point and (optionally) flip offset direction as required.

  8. Modify any Unfold Options, Bend, or Corner settings that differ from the options defined by Sheet Metal Style as required by selecting the dialog box tab and altering parameters as required.
  9. Click Apply to continue to add contour flanges or click OK to close the dialog box.
    Note: The plane of the loop selected for your contour flange must be perpendicular to the profile sketch plane.
    Tip: If needed, click the right-pointing arrow in the Distance, Angle, or Bend Radius field to use Measure, Show Dimensions, or List Parameters to set the appropriate value.

Create an offset width contour flange
  1. On the ribbon, click Sheet Metal tab Create panel Contour Flange .
  2. When prompted, select an open profile.
  3. You are now prompted to: Select edge (although you can select multiple edges when creating a contour flange with an offset width, you must only select a single edge). After selecting an edge the contour flange previews along the selected edge using the default parameters.

    The flange material thickness is created along the selected profile towards the material of the selected edge. Optionally, you can specify that the material thickness is created away from the selected profile relative to the material of the selected edge. Select the middle button (located under the edge selection field). Using the selected profile as the material mid-plane is possible by selecting the right button.

  4. Use the default Bend Radius or enter a new value.
  5. Click More on the lower right of the dialog box.
  6. From the Extents Type drop-down list, select Offset.
  7. The start and end vertices of the edge is selected automatically.
  8. To change the start reference, click Offset1 and select a work point, workplane, or face from which the flange is offset. Enter a value for the first offset distance.
  9. To change the end reference, click Offset2 and select a work point, workplane, or face from which the flange is offset. Enter a value for the second offset distance.
  10. Modify any Unfold Options, Bend, or Corner settings that differ from the options defined by Sheet Metal Style as required by selecting the dialog box tab and altering parameters as required.
  11. Click Apply to continue to add contour flanges or click OK to close the dialog box.
    Note: The plane of the loop selected for your contour flange must be perpendicular to the profile sketch plane.
    Note:
    • If needed, click the right-pointing arrow in the Distance, Angle, or Bend Radius field to use Measure, Show Dimensions, or List Parameters to set the appropriate value.
    • Selection of existing planar faces that intersect the base face edge is supported when defining extents.

Create a contour flange defined by From/To selections
  1. On the ribbon, click Sheet Metal tab Create panel Contour Flange .
  2. When prompted, select an open profile.
  3. You are now prompted to: Select edge (although you can select multiple edges when creating a contour flange From/To, you must only select a single edge). After selecting an edge the contour flange previews along the selected edge using the default parameters.

    The flange material thickness is created along the selected profile towards the material of the selected edge. Optionally, you can specify that the material thickness is created away from the selected profile relative to the material of the selected edge by selecting the middle button (located under the edge selection field). Using the selected profile as the material mid-plane is possible by selecting the right button.

  4. Use the default Bend Radius or enter a new value.
  5. Click More on the lower right of the dialog box.
  6. From the Extents Type drop-down list, select From To.
  7. Select Offset1 on the dialog box and select model geometry that defines the beginning location of your flange.
  8. Select Offset2 on the dialog box and select model geometry that defines the ending location of your flange.
  9. Modify any Unfold Options, Bend, or Corner settings that differ from the options defined by Sheet Metal Style as required by selecting the dialog box tab and altering parameters as required.
  10. Click Apply to continue to add contour flanges or click OK to close the dialog box.
    Tip: The plane of the loop selected for your contour flange must be perpendicular to the profile sketch plane.
    Note:
    • If needed, click the right-pointing arrow in the Distance, Angle, or Bend Radius field to use Measure, Show Dimensions, or List Parameters to set the appropriate value.
    • Selection of existing planar faces that intersect the base face edge is supported when defining extents.

Create a contour flange a specific distance

Note: Although this option is typically used when a contour flange is defined as a base feature, it is also useful when the contour flange is longer than the selected edge or no edge can be selected.
  1. On the ribbon, click Sheet Metal tab Create panel Contour Flange .
  2. When prompted, select an open profile.

    The flange material thickness is created along the selected profile towards the material of the selected edge. Optionally, you can specify that the material thickness is created away from the selected profile relative to the material of the selected edge. Select the middle button (located under the edge selection field). Using the selected profile as the material mid-plane is possible by selecting the right button.

  3. Use the default Bend Radius or enter a new value.
  4. Click More on the lower right of the dialog box.
  5. From the Extents Type drop-down list, select Distance.
  6. Enter a distance value.
  7. Modify the distance Direction relative to the plane of the profile sketch as required.
  8. Modify any Unfold Options, Bend, or Corner settings that differ from the edits defined by Sheet Metal Style as required by selecting the dialog box tab and altering parameters as required.
  9. Click Apply to continue to add contour flanges or click OK to close the dialog box.
    Note: The plane of the loop selected for your contour flange must be perpendicular to the profile sketch plane.
    Tip: If needed, click the right-pointing arrow in the Distance, Angle, or Bend Radius field to use Measure, Show Dimensions, or List Parameters to set the appropriate value.

Override default sheet metal style settings

If the default bend, corner or unfold settings are not appropriate, override the values for an individual flange feature using the Unfold Options, Bend, or Corner tab as required.

For more information about the Unfold Options tab, see the Sheet Metal Defaults options reference reference.

For more information about the Bend tab, see the Options for sheet metal bend reference reference.

For more information about the Corner tab, see the Sheet metal corner options reference reference.

Note: - While selecting edges for a multi-edge contour flange, edit glyphs are displayed in the graphics window along bends and where the created flanges share corners. These glyphs allow the bend width and corner parameters to be changed from the defaults of the feature using the Bend Edit or the Corner Edit functionality. All bend widths and corner parameters can also be reset to the default feature style using the Reset All Bends or the Reset All Corners functionality.

Show Me how to create a contour flange

Parent topic: Contour flange in sheet metal