Flattening a surface

3D Design Volume Model
1

Hello

 

I'm looking to flatten a surface in SolidWorks.

 

Does anyone have a technique or trick?

 

Thank you in advance

2

You can try Insert/Sheet Metal/Convert to Sheet Metal.

 

If it's a fairly clean sheet metal part, you can also do Insertion/Sheet Metal/Folds.

 

Can you attach an image of your surface?

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3

Here is the surface shined in blue


image_surface.jpg
4

Are the 2 segments at the top and bottom straight or curved?

5

You can post 3 face-up and right view in multiple window views

please @+...

2 Likes
6

Here's the screenshot!

 

Unfortunately there are only curved edges


capture_surface.png
7

Hello

The surface would have to be thickened.

But in fact it is a non-unfoldable part with SolidWorks because it is considered a stamping (no deformation management).

In this case, you have to go through LogoPress3 to get the flattening. 

In addition, LogoPress3 can flatten surface or volume bodies.

Kind regards

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8

Do you have its exact geometry or is it a dead body?

 

If you know how to redraw it, try using the sheet metal module/Transition folds.

9

yes with these views we can see that you curve in 2 directions

so it doesn't go into sheet metal

your part doesn't go through a folding machine so it's nada for SW

To pass through sheet metal work, you need straight folds

@+ ...............

10

Not so on @gt22, look at the 2 views at the bottom, the reflection is rectilinear. It doesn't give the impression of a double curvature. Maybe the view at the top left is not right...

 

Do you have the possibility to attach a STEP file of this part?

11
A surface cannot be flattened, we speak of flattening for folded parts. after a photo where a little more precision could help.
12

Good evening

If we do a recognition of function in sheet metal work, can it work?

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13

Yes, of course, a surface cannot be unfolded, but it can be thickened and then unfolded, and then a surface can be recovered again, as long as it is not a double curvature.

14

Hello

 

According to the visual and the noticed by benoit.if, it looks like a rolled sheet metal?

So by starting from the rectangular sheet at the beginning and cutting the side curves, we have to get by.

 

test under SW13.

 

After that, you have to check that the unfold is correct anyway.

 

But if the sheet metal is stamped, bad luck we are no longer in the same case.


2014-07-01__test_tolerie.rar
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15

By going through the surfaces, I get more of the visual of the front view.

But the radius of curvature on the left view must be very large I think.

And why is the section view enabled? Where does it go? If the views are linked we should see it on the other views too, right?

 

Test 2 Surface: SW13.


2014-07-01__test_tolerie___surface.rar
2 Likes
16

Thank you for all your answers. I can't find the miracle solution yet but I just saw that it's going to be a new feature for 2015. So a little patience.

 

 

17

Hello

Indeed, 2015 solved my problem. 

There is now a function to unfold a surface. 

Happy design to all!