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Just finished a very simple Lofted Bend. I really don't know how to create these kind of parts without a lofted bend but OH MY. Me and Lofted Bends..... seems to be a high maintenance relationship....
So create geometry, Unfold, Draw some holes, create sketch pattern, Go for lunch, come back, attempt to FOLD, (No go, contains something that cannot be bent!)
So roll back to the unfold and try to fold,NOPE.
Delete Unfold, Now I can't unfold either....
Check edges, Nothing, Flat Pattern is messed up too...
Now lofted bend shows a thickness of .00000000063 instead of .135!
Finally Delete Lofted Bend, Recreate above sketches, Exactly same sequence, except this time I didn't go for lunch. Worked like a charm.


Do I need some education on Lofted Bends or is SW playing tricks on me if left unattended?

I design conical sheet metals quite much and I never unfold it. I make holes and cuts in bent state so they will be normal cut.

That half cone your image shows I would do as follows:
1. Make the the cone with lofted bend
2. Hole wizard holes, 3 pcs
3. Circular pattern then holes

Why? Because the holes will be circular in bent state. If you cut holes in flatten state, holes will be elliptical in bent state. Ofcourse this depends on your needs if it matters or not, in my case it matters.

Issue I have is by doing that the elliptical hole in flat state creates other issues in nesting/ plasma cutting so prefer holes to be true round in flat state, in parts we do it would not be a noticeable difference in Bent state.

SolidKeke wrote: ↑Tue May 28, 2024 6:33 am I design conical sheet metals quite much and I never unfold it. I make holes and cuts in bent state so they will be normal cut.

That half cone your image shows I would do as follows:
1. Make the the cone with lofted bend
2. Hole wizard holes, 3 pcs
3. Circular pattern then holes

Why? Because the holes will be circular in bent state. If you cut holes in flatten state, holes will be elliptical in bent state. Ofcourse this depends on your needs if it matters or not, in my case it matters.

I'm curious how you project hole patterns in conical pieces. Along seams and through multiple layers.


Here is a link to another thread where I was looking for some help and gave some more detail.
https://www.cadforum.net/viewtopic.php?t=2229