UNFOLD FLANGE

 

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

 

·         Once the function is selected, eta/DYNAFORM opens the SELECTED SURFACE dialog box 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, the DFE module will determine and highlight the unfold line and the boundary line. As shown in Figure 6.1.3, the bold line is the unfold line, and the other is the boundary line of the base surface and unfolded surface.  eta/DYNAFORM displays a SELECT OPTION dialog box as illustrated in Figure 6.1.4. The user has to select an option to continue operation.

Figure 6.1.3 Unfold Line and Boundary Line

Figure 6.1.4 Select Option dialog box

 

·         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, the dialog box as illustrated in Figure 6.1.5 is displayed to allow the user to change the gap tolerance between surfaces.

Figure 6.1.5 Input Gap dialog box

 

The default gap tolerance is 2.5.  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.  A base surface is a surface that connects the flange surfaces along the unfold line.

 

 

Figure 6.1.6 Input Bent Angle dialog box

 

 

The unfolded surfaces are automatically stored in a new part named UNFOLDED.

 

Figure 6.1.7 Unfolded Flange

 

 

Figure 6.1.8 Control Keys dialog box

 

SMOOTH EDGE

This function allows the user to smooth the edge of unfolded surfaces. eta/DYNAFORM will request the user to select the starting and ending points on the edge of the unfolded flange. The smoothed edge will be highlighted as shown in Figure 6.1.9.  The CONTROL KEYS dialog box as illustrated in Figure 6.1.10 is displayed. The user has to select the next step from the options provided in the dialog box.

 

Figure 6.1.9 Smooth Edge

 

Figure 6.1.10 Control Keys dialog box

      

FINISH SMOOTHCompletes the smooth edge operation.

SMOOTH AGAINPerforms the smooth edge operation again.

UNDOUndoes the last smooth operation.

 

DELETE ORIGINAL FLANGES

The original flange surfaces will be removed from the database.

 

UNFOLD ANOTHER FLANGE

Continues to unfold another flange by repeating the steps previously mentioned.