Multiple Flange lengths with one flange operation?

[kjames-2]

I need flanges of varying lengths coming off the sides of a basic rectangular shape. What I have been doing up to this point is creating a flange loop operation with all flanges being the length of the longest flange I need and then using three extrude operations to remove the additional length from the other flanges. This is really slow, messy and seems like a terrible practice. Can someone suggest an alternative? I know I could create the four flanges separately and then go through the trouble of getting the corners and gaps right, but that doesn’t sound any better than what I have been doing. I think the fact that you can’t create multiple flange lengths in one operation is just about the silliest thing ever.

Thanks in advance.

-William Wonka

[dschenken]

Can you post a picture?

I have not heard the term 'flange loop operation,' is this in Creo Parametric or is it another module?

[kjames-2]

Just my fancy way of saying I select all four sides in a single operation. (completing a loop)

-WW

[StephenW]

The way you are trying to do all flanges at once, Creo is only going to give you 1 dimension. It's based on your selection.

[kjames-2]

Yeah, it seems like a pretty weak program. Is this the best way to get properly mating flanges of various lengths?

[BenLoosli]

Just like selecting multiple edges for a set of chamfers or rounds, they are all the same. The software grouping design would work the same with edges selected for a flange, they will use the same values.

Your best option is to do all 4 edges individually. A whole lot cleaner than creating extrudes to shorten the other flanges.

[kjames-2]

I agree, but the problem with that approach is that I've not yet managed to get the intersections of the flanges to come out as neatly.

[dschenken]

Hi Kevin,

No picture?

[kjames-2]

Roughly what I need:

What happens when i do each flange separately:

How I've been doing it. Bad procedure, but better results:

Results in these corners:

[dschenken]

That looks like a good candidate for a product improvement. It surprises me that they went to all the trouble to create the reliefs and extensions but missed the utility of setting that length.

If you make a lot of these, then use one as a template to create new versions.

[kdirth]

I think your method may be the cleanest possible.  There are many other ways to get there.

I would suggest changing the corner relief from circular to Obround.

[GTA]

You can do flanges separately and still get the 'tidy' corners you get when you select them all at once.

Make the first flange, complete the feature and select the second edge, it will seem like it didn't work, but you need the select the 'offset' tab. Check the box 'Offset wall with respect to attachment edge' and select 'Add to part edge' from the drop down menu. This will increase the size of the 'planar' because we offset, be conscious of this. By choosing this method for the flanges by default Creo will assign a 'V notch' relief at the corner, if you would like ob-round or circular/square you will need to choose 'Corner Relief' in the Engineering tab and assign the desired relief. This will apply the chosen 'corner relief' to all corners.

[dpruitt · Accepted solution]

I also use the chain selection for that type of panel as well, then I set mine to the shortest length and add FLAT flanges at 0 deg and the length I need.

I also use the rip for the relief...works well in our shop.

As you can see it flattens out nicely.

[kjames-2]

Hey nice, I think that may be a little faster than what I've been doing. Also, I think your way may lead to less problems when the parts have to be adjusted in the future, you know how creo likes to lose edges. I appreciate you taking the time to post.

The need for various lengths on a chain selection seems like a no-brainer, I'm surprised we have to play games to achieve it.

[dpruitt]

No problem. I/we used to do it like you were until I discovered this method, a lot cleaner and allows you to change the overall panel size without any of the issues you get doing extrude. What's really cool is if you use FLANGE you can even offset the edges if you need to, another way to NOT use extrude!

Good luck.