For this newsletter we will take a look at some of the common questions asked where answers are not so obvious. During the training courses, many of these questions are explained but for those who were unable to attend....

How can I quickly add notches to a sheet metal component ?

The presence of a sharp corner within a sheet metal component can be a critical point and one that is generally overcome with a relief hole or 'notch'. The following trick explains how this feature can be added to a pre-constructed model.

Step 1: Follow the standard procedure for VISI Progress model analysis and use the 'Part Study' to analyse the geometry and define the neutral fibre.

Step 2: Using the step-by-step unfolding, add a single step to create a new neutral fibre model.

Step 3: On the new model geometry, unfold the relevant bend faces that are connected by the sharp corner. IMPORTANTLY, do not bend to flat (zero), please keep a bend angle value of 0.01.

Step 4: Use the option, 'Rebuild part 3D' to automatically construct a 3D solid model of the 'nearly flat geometry.

Step 5: Create a copy of the new 3D (nearly flat) solid model and manually construct the notch geometry.

Step 6: In a repeat of steps 1-4, re-run the 'Part Study' and create the neutral fibre for this new model geometry

Step 7: Using the step-by-step unfolding, add a single step to create a new neutral fibre model.

Step 8: Re-bend the faces from their current bend angle of 0.01 to their original bending value.

Step 9: Finally, with all bend angles correctly assigned, use the option, 'Rebuild part 3D' to re-construct a 3D model with the notches included.

If you have any tips or tricks that you would like to share, please email me with a short description (marc@vero.co.uk) and I will add them to a future Vero Newsletter.

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