Entfaltung der Blechkonstruktion vom CAD-Modell zur Fertigung

Sheet metal is a great way to express your designs. The material is fairly affordable, and finding a local fabrication shop is just a Google search away.

Additionally, with PTC’s Onshape, designing with sheet metal is even easier. The cloud-native CAD and PDM platform is improving the approach to sheet metal design and setting a new standard for streamlined manufacturing processes.

Read on to learn about 15 Onshape features that are key for successfully designing with sheet metal. Or, watch the webinar all about Onshape sheet metal.

1. Designen Sie zu Hause, im Büro oder unterwegs

Gone are the days of hefty software installations and version compatibility nightmares. Onshape operates entirely in a web browser, giving users the freedom to design anywhere, anytime.

Ob am Schreibtisch, auf einem Tablet in der Werkstatt oder sogar auf einem Smartphone auf dem Weg zur Arbeit, Designs sind immer zugänglich. Diese Barrierefreiheit ist nicht nur praktisch, sondern fördert auch die Zusammenarbeit und Produktivität.

2. Nutzen Sie gleichzeitige Blechansichten

Bei der Konstruktion mit Blech kann Onshape das gefaltete Modell, das flache Muster und die Biegetabelle anzeigen, wenn mit Blech entworfen wird. Lassen Sie den Sheet Metal Table und Flat View während der Arbeit immer sichtbar, um sofort zu sehen, wie sich Konstruktionsänderungen sowohl auf den gefalteten als auch auf den flachen Zustand auswirken. So werden Fehler vermieden und Zeit gespart.

Melden Sie sich an und sehen Sie sich alle relevanten Informationen zur Blechkonstruktion an.

3. Grundlegendes zum Thema Extrudieren, Konvertieren oder Verdicken

Onshape bietet Designern drei nützliche Tools für die Blechkonstruktion, von denen jedes seine Stärken hat:

• Extrude: The classic method, perfect for creating parts from scratch.
• Convert: Ideal for transforming existing solid models into sheet metal.
• Thicken: Great for complex shapes, starting with a surface and giving it thickness.

Wenn Sie wissen, wann die einzelnen Methoden angewendet werden müssen, können Sie Zeit sparen und spätere Komplikationen vermeiden.

4. Verwenden Sie Tastenkombinationen

In der Designwelt zählt jede Sekunde. Hier bieten sich die Tastenkombinationen von Onshape an. Wenn Sie beispielsweise die Taste „S“ drücken, wird eine anpassbare Shortcut-Symbolleiste angezeigt, sodass die am häufigsten verwendeten Tools nur einen Klick entfernt sind. Der Aufbau des Muskelgedächtnisses mag etwas Zeit in Anspruch nehmen, aber die langfristigen Produktivitätssteigerungen sind erheblich.

Tech Tip: Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts in Onshape

5. Nutzen Sie die mehrteilige Modellierung

Onshape’s multi-part modeling capability is especially beneficial for sheet metal assemblies and frames. Design related sheet metal parts in a single Part Studio. This approach allows for easier management of inter-part relationships and ensures that changes to one part automatically update related components.

6. Skizzierte Kurven vom Meister

Sketched bends offer extended flexibility in creating complex sheet metal shapes. When working with non-standard bends, start with a sketch of the model. Use the Bend feature to define the bend line and angle, allowing precise control over the folded shape. This is especially helpful when you start with an unfolded stock shape and want to “develop” it into a folded shape.

7. Optimieren Sie die Erstellung von Flanschen

Flanges are a fundamental element of sheet metal design, and Onshape provides the tools for creating them efficiently. Use the “Up to Entity” option when creating flanges to ensure they meet precisely with other parts or faces in the assembly. The “Chain Selection” option allows users to select all relevant edges quickly when creating multiple flanges. This can speed up workflows, especially on complex parts.

Onshape hilft Benutzern, Biegeinformationen mithilfe der Flanschfunktion zu ermitteln.

8. Verwenden Sie benutzerdefinierte Biegetabellen

Every fabrication shop has its capabilities and preferences when it comes to bending sheet metal. With Onshape’s FeatureScript, designers can create custom bend tables that reflect specific equipment and material properties. It’s like having shop expertise built right into the software.

Use this sample Document with a custom bend table to copy and edit to match the shop or supplier’s shop standards. Find more information here on adding custom features to your toolbar in Onshape.

9. Nutzen Sie Konfigurationen für Designvarianten

Onshape Configurations is particularly powerful for sheet metal design, allowing multiple part variants to be created quickly. Use configurations to manage different thicknesses or materials for the same part and promptly switch between variants without recreating the entire model. To maximize efficiency, combine configurations with custom features to automatically update part numbers, descriptions, and other metadata based on the selected configuration.

10. Rationalisieren Sie die Zeichnungserstellung

Creating drawings can be tedious. Onshape takes the pain out of the process with tools for quick dimension placement and automatic inspection callouts. This results in clear, detailed drawings that are produced faster than ever before. Place the folded view and the flat view to scale on the drawing, with ordinate dimensions.

11. Optimieren Sie DXF-Exporte

Clean, accurate DXF files are essential for smooth manufacturing processes. Use Onshape’s export rules to create standardized file naming conventions for DXF exports. This makes it easier to manage files and reduces confusion when communicating with manufacturers. For added flexibility, create a custom export setting that includes bend lines and part outlines on separate layers. This can be useful for manufacturers using different processes for cutting and bending.

12. Zusammenarbeit mit Lieferanten in Echtzeit

Onshape’s cloud-native platform offers unique opportunities for collaboration with sheet metal fabrication shops and suppliers. Use Onshape’s sharing features to give suppliers view-only access to designs using Publications. This allows them to provide feedback on manufacturability without the risk of accidental changes and protects design data.

Anbieter können in Echtzeit mit Designern zusammenarbeiten.

13. Implementieren Sie DFM-Prüfungen (Design for Manufacturing)

Catching manufacturability issues early can save significant time and cost. Onshape’s Branching and Merging feature facilitates efficient Design for Manufacturing (DFM) checks. Users can create separate branches for DFM optimization, enabling early collaboration with manufacturers. This approach allows teams to identify and address potential issues when changes are least costly, aligning with agile design principles.

Onshape partners with several apps, including Xometry, that can automate DFM checks. They are available in the Onshape App Store.

14. Nutzen Sie blechspezifische Funktionen

Onshape offers several features tailored specifically for sheet metal design. Experiment with the Corner, Chamfer, and Hem features to create complex edge treatments efficiently. Onshape also provides standard content, like PEM fasteners, and can match the parts to the corresponding holes so everything fits correctly, ensuring an accurate Bill of Materials.

Wenn Sie Onshape verwenden, können Sie PEM-Verbindungselemente schnell einfügen.

15. Innovieren Sie mit Versionskontrolle

With Onshape’s built-in version control, there’s freedom to explore design alternatives without fear. Every change is automatically saved, and users can easily roll back to any previous version. Use branches to explore different design concepts without affecting the main design.

Auf diese Weise können Designer radikale Ideen ausprobieren, wobei das Sicherheitsnetz besteht, Änderungen einfach rückgängig zu machen oder zusammenzuführen. Das Erstellen von „Checkpoint“ -Versionen in wichtigen Phasen des Konstruktionsprozesses macht es einfach, bei Bedarf zu einem früheren Zustand zurückzukehren oder verschiedene Iterationen einer Blechkonstruktion zu vergleichen.

16. Entdecken Sie Onshape Professional

Onshape is setting a new standard for sheet metal design tools. Combining powerful parametric CAD tools with cloud-native collaboration and accessibility is helping designers and engineers create better products more efficiently.

Through the Onshape Discovery Program, qualified users can explore all of the features mentioned above, plus more, at no cost for up to 6 months. The Discovery Program provides an excellent opportunity to test-drive these innovative tools. So, sign up today and discover how Onshape can transform the sheet metal design process. The next great sheet metal design could be just a browser tab away!