bending small diameter rods

create the part so that it has a square profile, insert the sheet metal bends on it. Then you can flatten and fold. Just add some fillets to all the edges and it becomes a round rod!

Maybe there's another way to do it but thats the first that comes to mind....

Todd

Todd,

Thanks. I knew about this method, but had never tried it. It seems to work acceptably as long as I keep the thickness in a single plane.

However, since it is a sq. rod to start with, I need to bend the rod 45 degrees in the direction of the original thickness. It errors out. Any ideas on this.

Tom

Yep, the sheet metal method fails when bending in multiple planes. The method I have used is to simply make a separate straight configuration and MANUALLY calculate the straight length.

Arlin,

Thanks for your comments. I just found a way! What a workaround! I made two separate sheetmetal parts. Both have flat-pattern configs. I then assembled the parts, and generated an assembly flat-pattern. I also marked the assembly to not show child components.

This gave me the result that I was looking for, but it sure seems like the long way around.

Maybe we need a tube/rod/pipe bending enhancement.

Tom

Hmmm.. never thought of that method before. Like you said though, a lot of effort. (not really worth it for me, IMO)

Arlin,

It is worth it if you have to have the results. Although SW could make it a whole lot easier.

Tom

I'm on the road and can't verifiy if this would work, but have you tried the "Deform" tool on it yet?

Mike Wilson

"...generated an assembly flat-pattern" How do you do that? I haven't dug into it, but I thought a flat pattern is only the result of a sheetmetal part.

WT

Wayne,

Sorry for lack of good English. I meant to say that I generate two different parts with flat-pattern configurations and then made an assembly from the parts. I then generated a flat-pattern assembly configuration and selected each of the parts flat-pattern. I then remated the parts and Viola, "An Assembly Flat-Pattern"

Tom