Project: HiCAD Sheet Metal

Fold Flange

Sheet Metal > Further functions > Fold flange

Use the Fold flange function to fold 3-D Sheet Metal parts created from 2-D contours or existing Sheet Metal flanges subsequently. 3-D Sheet Metal parts can be created from 2-D contours with the New sheet from 2-D development function.

When you call the Fold flange function, the following dialogue window appears:

The dialogue window consists of the following areas:

1. Fold line
2. Edge on folded side
3. Parameters
4. Apply or discard data input

Fold line

The fold line is an arbitrary straight line in space which is projected onto the sheet. The fold line can be selected in two ways:

• Select with leading sketch: The fold line is identified via a sketch line. The sketch (e.g. for the parameterisation) is saved in the feature log.
• Select, without sketch: The fold line can be identified by selecting 2 points, an edge or a sketch line. Here, however, the sketch will not be saved in the feature.

If you want to change the fold line after the after identification, click the icon to renew the identification.

The Meaning determines the position of the fold line after the folding. The following options are available:

Edge on folded side

You specify the area to be folded by selecting an edge (e.g. to the left or to the right of the fold line). This edge is, while also taking the bend angle into account, decisive for the direction of the new flange.

After specifying the area to be folded, a preview of the new flange will be displayed (provided that you did not activated any options requiring further action).

If you want to change the area to be folded, click the icon for identification.

If the Apply immediately option has been activated, the new flange will be inserted. Changes can be applied via the feature log.

(1) Sheet
(2) Fold line
(3) Example: Area to be folded (edge on side to be folded)
(4) Alternative edge for area to be folded (edge on side to be folded)

Parameters

Angle

The so-called bend angle is the angle about which a flange is folded. You can also enter a negative angle if desired. This angle will then only be shown in the feature; the bend angle that is saved on the bend zone is always positive.

The following options for angle input are available:

Mode

Composite sheets, such as ALUCOBOND panels, are folded along milling edges. The resulting milling edge zones differ geometrically from the cylindrical bend zones. Therefore, the Fold flange function offers the additional option to choose milling edge zones and milling tools.

The following options are available:

Groove form

You can choose the desired milling tool from the Composite panels, groove form catalogue by clicking on the Via catalogue symbol next to the right of the Groove form field.

Bend radius

The bend radius refers to the inner side of the bend zone. It will only be requested if you have chosen Mode: Bend zone. If the flange to be folded is a semi-finished product, you can take over the bend radius from the semi-finished material by activating the corresponding checkbox .

You can also activate/deactivate or change semi-finished products subsequently. To do this, double-click, for instance, the Fold flange feature. The same-named dialogue window will then be displayed, where you can activate or deactivate the Use semi-finished product checkbox, or click the icon to choose a different semi-finished product. Confirm with OK to apply the settings.

Allowance method for folding/development

The Allowance method filed will only be visible if you have selected Mode: Bend zone. During development, the bend zone are transformed into a plane and stretched additionally. The reason for this is the taking into account of the material expansion during bending. Therefore, HiCAD offers the empirical allowance methods which are commonly used in practice.

If the sheet is a semi-finished product, you can take over the data from the catalogue by activating the corresponding checkbox .

Apply or discard data input

After entering all required data, you can insert the new flange.

If you click Apply or press the MMB, the flange will be inserted, and the dialogue window will remain open. If desired, you can then still change the data and apply it to a different area to be folded.

If you click OK, the flange will be inserted, and the window will be closed.

If you click Cancel, the window will be closed, and the function will be cancelled, without inserting the flange or changing the data. If you have activated the Apply immediately checkbox, the data will be directly applied.

Please note:

Incorrect or missing data inputs will be indicated by the symbol. Move the cursor over the symbol to view the error message.

If the function cannot be executed with the entered data, the symbol will appear next to the OK button. Move the cursor over the symbol to view the error message.

Example:

(1) Fold line with leading sketch
(2) Edge on side to be folded
In the feature log, the fold line (1) will be offered for processing.

Folding with milling edge

Further Functions (3-D SM) • Attach Flange (3-D SM)