Thanks for the reply Corey.
Below are some screenshot examples of drawings. We use a laser to cut our sheet metal parts from a DXF files we generate from the flat pattern. Our standard is to dimension width and height, and any bend lines. Holes, slots, tabs, are not dimensioned. We also label each bend line with a number, and have a bend table above the flat pattern. Depending on the line type of the bend, bend up would be a phantom line, and bend down would be a dashed line. I dont like the way we do this, and Im trying to get this changed for the future. I would prefer to have a note that says "Bend Up" or "BU" and the angle next to the note.
Can you post an example of the note you put on your bend lines?
The back gauge on the press brake can do up to 24". As you can see on example 1, the standard dimensions look cluttered in the drawing. On example 2, ordinate dimensions are alot cleaner. Next, on example 3, standard dimensions take up alot more room then the ordinate dimensions on example 4. The problem with example 4 is, the press brake operator would have to pull out his calculator, and calculate bend # 8 and 7, since the back gauge can only go 24". This also doesnt take into acct that the press brake operator will bend the part in the same order that the bend lines are numbered (many times this cant be done). On example
5, ordinate dimensions are used, but im not sure if this is good practice to do this. We have had problems in the past where someone might not realize the other dimensions are starting from the opposite side, causing them to misread the bend line.
Is example 5 an acceptable way of dimensioning a sheetmetal part?
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