SheetMetal AddFoldWall

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Extrude

Unfold

SheetMetal Workbench

SheetMetal AddFoldWall
Menu location
SheetMetal → Fold a Wall
Workbenches
SheetMetal
Default shortcut
C F
Introduced in version
-
See also
None

Description

The SheetMetal AddFoldWall command folds a wall at a chosen line with a specified bend radius.

Usage

1. Select a planar face of the SheetMetal object
2. Select a coplanar line
3. Press the Fold a wall button
   or use the keyboard shortcut: C then F.

Properties

• DataBend Line: Bend line. Default: none
• DataPosition: Bend line position. Possible values: forward, middle, backward Default: forward
• DataAngle: Bend angle. Default: 90.0
• DataBase Object: Base object. Default: none
• DataInvert: Invert bend direction. Default: False
• DataInvert bend: Swap side to be bent. Default: False
• DataKfactor: Neutral axis position. Default: 0.50
• DataRadius: Bend radius. Default: 1.0
• DataUnfold: Unfold bend. Default: False

Example

A simple clip

Preparation

This clip is made of a blank that receives three folds and so we need four sketches prepared in advance:

- one for the outline plus slot (blank)

- one for the bend at the tip

- one for the upward bend

- one for the downward bend

Easiest way to guarantee that one face of the blank and all folding lines are coplanar is to create all sketches on the same plane - the XY_Plane in this case.

The folding lines could be created with other tools but hey, we have a Sketcher!

Sketches on their common plane and their representation in the design tree

Workflow

1. Create a blank
   1. Select the outline sketch
   2. Press the Make Base Wall button
      or use the keyboard shortcut: C then B
      

      (The blank is padded in z direction and so it has to be flipped
      each time, to select the bottom face that is lying on the sketch plane)

      
      
2. Fold the tip
   1. Select the blank's bottom face
   2. Select the sketch named Tip Fold line (preferably from the tree view)
      (and don't forget the control/command key )
   3. Press the Fold a wall button
      or use the keyboard shortcut: C then F
      
   4. The fold should be 90° down and so some values in the properties window need to be set e.g.:
      - the angle value to 60°
      - the invert value to true for an upward bend
      
      
3. Create the downward fold
   1. Select the blank's bottom face
   2. And then the sketch named Down-Fold line
   3. Press the Fold a wall button
      or use the keyboard shortcut: C then F
      
   4. Set the angle value to 92°
   5. If the wrong section of the part moved set the invertbend value to true
      
      
4. To create the upward fold
   1. select the blank's bottom face
   2. and then the sketch named Up-Fold line
   3. Press the Fold a wall button
      or use the keyboard shortcut: C then F
      
   4. Set the angle value to 80°
   5. If the fold is downward set the invert value to true
   6. If needed set the invertbend value to true
      
      

Done!

Note!: In real life the upward fold must be done before the downward fold. Only the virtual world of CAD allows us to bend through solid material. This way the orientation of the static section doesn't change.
All sketches lie on the same plane to avoid sketches attached to moveable faces.

Extrude

Unfold

SheetMetal Workbench