How do you analyze laser cut lengths for sheetmetal parts ?

[TomDecock]

Actually created this discussion for the poll to be more 'in the picture'.

Please go to the poll and please add comments to this discussion as well.

Thanks,

Tom

[ReinhardN]

length=(PRO_MP_AREA-2*PRO_MP_VOLUME/smt_thickness)/smt_thickness

Reinhard

[kjain]

not working. please show in detail how to calculate cut length for sheet metal part

[StephenW]

Provided you have set your y factor or your k factor, you can flatten bent parts if the bends are simple.

If you don't understand y factors or k factors, you need to review sheet metal fabrication techniques. A good place is SheetMetal.Me – Bend Allowance

It is very important to understand how sheetmetal parts are fabricated to get accurate results.

[smptmmtk]

Hi, Tom!

I'm currently using Creo 5, and my solution is next:

- use unbend instead of flat pattern to flatten the sheet metal part, because it keeps part unbend in further steps (model / unbend / unbend);

- make datum plane within thickness of a flattened sheet metal part (model / plane / offset);

- make cross section through this datum plane (view / section / planar);

- make datum curve from cross section (right click on cross section feature or: model / datum / curve / curve from cross section);

- analysis / measure / length: select x-section curve.

Good luck!