Hello All. I would like to convert a drawing rendered in 2D and the dimensions given with it, to a 3D design.
I don’t know what this is called in English, but in Dutch, it’s called a ‘tekening uitslag’
I have made an attempt to convert the 2D drawing to the correct 90-degree offset (from the center of the sheet thickness), but then I have to make quite a lot of adjustments to render the design correctly.
I would like to know what is the simplest way to do this.
Can I, for instance, use the Fredo6 extension ‘Joint Push Pull Interactive’ for this? Or are there other alternatives? For example, can I also do it easily with the SU basic tools? Looking forward to your suggestions!
When I do that sort of modeling, I don’t bother modeling those parts flat as they are shown in the plan you’re working from. I just model them in 3D from the start. It’s not that difficult to do with all of the dimensions that are provided and it’s a whole lot less work.
Joint Push/Pull can be useful for making the thickness of the sheet metal.Also consider starting from a cross section or in the case of that part, start with the closed end as a rectangle. Extrude it to 0.5 thick, use Offset to outline the top and long sides of the box and extrude that.
Also consider the order in which you add the small details like holes. I wait to add holes that go through multiple parts until they are in place relative to each other. It’s then a simple matter of make “drill” or “punch” components to cut the holes quickly and precisely using Bool Tools 2 or Enroth Solid Tools. I did that for most of the holes in this traction engine model which I need to finish up.
For people who design folded metalwork professionally, I understand that there are expensive specialized CAD software packages that automate the creation of cutting diagrams and take account of material properties and thicknesses.
And the reason is “Bend Allowance”. When that flat pattern is bent it will have radiused corners. A 6" square piece of sheet metal when bent to a 90 degree angle at 3" will not be 3" each direction. Because the bend is a radius the bent object will be 3+" x 3+". You will need to take into account the .5 mm and unknown radius to depict it accurately. Looking at the flat pattern and folded part I believe the author has taken the bend allowance into consideration.
Google Bend Allowance for all the details.
…or…
Disregard the above and enjoy the drawing in 3D.
