The only wrinkle when creating a cutout to be used as a punch is to ensure that the tool center remains in the correct position when the punch changes size. Simple cutout shapes are not difficult to capture. However, creating an easy-to-use iFeature that captures your design intent can be a different story. Saving and placing punches is a straightforward procedure in Autodesk Inventor software. The obround cutouts in Figure 1 are a single punch feature located by an array of Hole Center sketch entities. And you can save enhanced iFeature shapes and forms in a folder reserved for punches and placed in a manner similar to a hole feature. You can now emulate this process to some extent in Autodesk Inventor 5 using the new sheet metal punch tool. Some machines can also rotate either the tool, or the stock, to add an angle variable to the mix. Each punch "hit" is programmed with a tool number and tool center location on the flat sheet. Flat stock is cut to shape and internal cutouts, reliefs, and deformations such as dimples, lances, and louvers are created in CNC turret punch machines prior to forming the folded part. Sheet metal part production is often highly automated. Some of the techniques covered in the tutorial can be used in previous versions of Autodesk Inventor, but to complete the tutorial you will need Autodesk Inventor 5 installed on your computer. Because a punch is a special type of iFeature (iFeature is the new name for Design Element), we'll also examine the creation of a moderately complex iFeature. This month's tutorial introduces the new sheet metal punch tool available in Autodesk Inventor 5.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
March 2023
Categories |