Fully formed sheet metal
designs can be easily split up into individual parts
when designed in a 3D feature based modeler like
SolidWorks or Pro/ENGINEER. Theses parts can be flattened
and used to drive a CNC Laser profile or CNC Punch
machine. The parts remain associative to the original
and any changes in the master part appear in the flat
pattern.
The simplified Pharmaceutical Isolator shell, See fig 2.,
is built up from an original 3D master model and 3 parts that
are used to convey the manufacturing detail in folded and flat
states prior to welding . Development
of flat patterns do not take long to do but care is always
taken to ensure the correct 'K-Factor' for the material
used. Then when providing detail drawings that it is
made clear which way the folds are made. |