Activity 3: Create a flat pattern and drawing for manufacture

A flat pattern is the 2D shape of the sheet metal part before it is formed, and is used to create drawings for manufacturing. Flat patterns show bend lines, bend zones, center lines, and the shape of the entire body with all bends flattened and bend factors considered.

In this activity, you

• Create a flat pattern from the sheet metal body

• Switch workspace and create a drawing view using the flat pattern.

  

Prerequisites

• Activity 2 is completed.

Steps

1. Create a flat pattern from the sheet metal body.

   1. Click (Design workspace > Sheet Metal tab > Create panel > Create Flat Pattern) to open the Sheet Metal Rules dialog.
   2. In the canvas, select the stationary face of the body, from which all flanges are unfolded.

      

   3. In the Create Flat Pattern dialog, click OK to create the flat pattern and close the dialog.

      

   4. Click (Design workspace > Flat Pattern Solid tab > Finish Flat Pattern panel > Finish Flat Pattern) to return to the Sheet Metal tab.

      Notice that a Flat Pattern node is created in the Browser.

      

2. Create a drawing view from the flat pattern.

   Note: You need to save the design, in order to create your drawing.
   1. In the Browser, hover over Flat Pattern and click the Activate Flat Pattern radio button to activate the Flat Pattern environment.
   2. Change Workspace from Design to Drawing from Design.
      Note: If you haven't saved your design, you are prompted to do so now.

      

   3. In the Create Drawing dialog, click OK to close the dialog and activate the Drawing Workspace.
   4. On the new drawing document, click the location where you want to place the base view.
      Note: You can change the scale of the drawing, and other attributes in the Drawing View dialog.
   5. In the Drawing View dialog, click OK to apply the tool and close the dialog.
      Note: To add a representation of the folded body, click (Drawing Workspace > Create panel > Base View) and click on the drawing to place it.

      

      Note: The size of the flattened bend zones is determined by the Unfold Rule defined within the active Sheet Metal Rule.

Activity 3 summary

In this activity you

• Created a flat pattern from the sheet metal body
• Switched workspace and created a drawing view using the flat pattern.