UNFOLD FLANGE

This function quickly unfolds flanges on a product so the user can proceed to create addendum with a developed product trim line.

Once this function is selected, DYNAFORM opens the SELECTED SURFACE window to select flange surfaces to be unfolded. Refer to Figure 6.1.2 for typical surfaces with the defined flange highlighted.

Figure 6.1.2 Select Flange Surface

After selecting surfaces, DFE will find and highlight the unfold line and the boundary line. The bold line is the unfold line, and the other is the boundary line of the base surface and unfolded surface as shown in Figure 6.1.4. At the same time, the program displays an option window as shown in Figure 6.1.3 to select the option for the next operation.

Figure 6.1.3 Select Options

Figure 6.1.4 Unfold Line and Boundary Line

If the unfold line and boundary line are correct, select ACCEPT to continue. The program will unfold the selected surfaces along the unfold line and continue to the next step.

If the unfold line is not correct, select RETRY. eta/DYNAFORM will use a different method to find the desired unfold line and boundary line. If ADJUST GAP TOLERANCE is selected, a dialog window as shown in Figure 6.1.5 will be displayed to allow the user to change the gap tolerance between surfaces.

Figure 6.1.5 Gap Tolerance

Default gap tolerance is 2.5, which is adequate in most cases. If there are small surfaces in the part, a smaller gap tolerance should be used.

If Select Base Surfs is selected, eta/DYNAFORM allows the user to select surfaces as the base surfaces. Base surface is the surface that connects the flange surfaces along the unfold line.

The INPUT BENT ANGLE window is then displayed as shown in Figure 6.1.6. The bent angle is the angle between the unfolded surface and base surface. The default angle (0 degrees) indicates that unfolded surfaces are tangent to base surfaces at the unfold line.

Figure 6.1.6 Define Bent Angle

OK accepts the entered bent angle. The unfolded surfaces are shown in Figure 6.1.7 in yellow.

Figure 6.1.7 Unfolded Flange

The unfolded surfaces are included in a new part called UNFOLDED.

Select an option from the CONTROL KEYS window as shown in Figure 6.1.8.

Figure 6.1.8 Control Keys Window

SMOOTH EDGE

This function allows the user to smooth the edge of unfolded surfaces. Eta/DYNAFORM will prompt the user to select the starting point and end point on the edge of the unfolded flange. The smoothed edge will be highlighted as shown in Figure 6.1.9. The program will display another CONTROL KEYS window as shown in Figure 6.1.10.

Figure 6.1.9 Smooth Edge

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Figure 6.1.10 Control Keys window

FINISH SMOOTH ¨CCompletes the smooth edge operation.

SMOOTH AGAIN ¨C Performs the smooth edge operation again.

UNDO - Undoes the last smooth operation.

DELETE ORIGINAL FLANGE

The original flange surfaces will be deleted.

UNFOLD ANOTHER FLANGE

Continues to unfold another flange from the first step.

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