Creation Components

Components for converting geometry into sheet metal objects

Creation Components

Manifold To Sheet (MTS)

Converts a valid manifold Brep (closed solid) into a Sheet object.

Inputs

  • Brep (B) - Input Brep geometry with consistent thickness
  • Root Face Index (RFI) - Which face becomes the base (default: -1 = auto-select largest)
  • Merge Coplanar Faces (MCF) - Simplifies geometry by merging coplanar faces (default: false)

Outputs

  • Sheet (S) - The resulting Sheet object

Requirements

  • Input must be a closed manifold Brep
  • Geometry must have consistent thickness throughout
  • Represents valid sheet metal (no bifurcations or complex topology)

Tips

  • Use Root Face Index to control unrolling layout orientation
  • Auto-selection (RFI = -1) works well for most cases
  • Best to coplanar faces already in advance but also possible with the internal merging tool

Non-Manifold To Sheet (NM2Sheet)

Most Flexible Method - Converts surface geometry into sheet metal by adding thickness, bend properties, and optional relief slots.

Inputs

  • Brep (B) - Input non-manifold surface geometry
  • Thickness (ST) - Material thickness (default: 1.0)
  • Bend Radius (BR) - Bend radius property (default: 1.0)
  • Flip Offset (FO) - Reverses thickness offset direction (default: false)
  • Flip Bend Direction (FBD) - Reverses which bends are "up" or "down" (default: false)
  • Hem Detection Widths (HDW) - Width values for identifying hem features
  • Relief Options (RO) - Bend relief configuration (see Bend Relief Options)

Outputs

  • Sheet (S) - The resulting Sheet object

Workflow

  1. Plugin processes bend reliefs (if enabled)
  2. Detects and processes hems based on width values
  3. Adds fillets to bend edges
  4. Offsets geometry by thickness to create 3D solid
  5. Analyzes topology to create Sheet

Tips

  • Start with simple surface geometry (no thickness)
  • Hem detection uses parallel edge distances - provide expected hem widths
  • Use Relief Options for automatic bend relief cutting
  • Flip Offset changes thickness direction; Flip Bend Direction changes bend interpretation

Polyline To Sheet (PTS)

Creates sheet metal from a 2D polyline profile by extruding and adding bends at corners.

Inputs

  • Polyline (P) - Input polyline (must be true polyline type)
  • Thickness (T) - Material thickness
  • Bend Radius (BR) - Radius at corner bends
  • Reference Plane (RP) - Plane for extrusion direction (default: XY plane)
  • Depth (D) - Extrusion depth/height
  • Offset Type (OT) - How to offset polyline (default: Middle)
  • 0 = Outside (extrude outward)
  • 1 = Middle (extrude from centerline)
  • 2 = Inside (extrude inward)

Outputs

  • Sheet (S) - Resulting Sheet object
  • Angles (A) - Angles between polyline segments

Tips

  • Quick way to create box-like or bracket geometries
  • Offset type affects final dimensions - plan accordingly
  • Input must be a polyline; other curve types will fail

Bend Relief Options (BRO)

Configures automatic bend relief slot cutting for Non-Manifold To Sheet conversion.

Inputs

  • Type (T) - Relief slot shape (default: 0 = Flat)
  • -1 = None (no relief)
  • 0 = Flat (straight-edged cuts)
  • 1 = Filleted (rounded corner cuts)
  • 2 = Rounded (circular relief)
  • Slot Width (SW) - Custom width (default: 0.0 = auto = Thickness/2)
  • Setback (S) - Distance from bend edge (default: 1.0)
  • Extension (E) - Extension distance for internal reliefs (default: 0.0 = auto = Thickness)
  • Circular Radius (CR) - Radius for Rounded type (default: 0.0 = auto = SlotWidth/2 × 1.6)

Outputs

  • Relief Options (RO) - Configuration object for sheet creation

Relief Types Explained

  • None - No relief cutting (may cause material interference)
  • Flat - Simple straight cuts
  • Filleted - Rounded corners reduce stress concentration
  • Rounded - Full circular cuts (best for bend quality)

Tips

  • Use with Non-Manifold To Sheet component
  • Default values (0.0) use intelligent automatic sizing

None-Manifold Flange (NMF)

Creates a perpendicular flange extension on a Brep edge.

Inputs

  • Brep (B) - Input Brep geometry
  • Edge Index (EI) - Index of edge to flange
  • Flange Height (FH) - Perpendicular distance of flange
  • Angle (A) - Angle from base surface (default: 90°)
  • Flip (F) - Reverses flange direction (default: false)
  • From Start (FS) - Offset from edge start (default: 0.0)
  • From End (FE) - Offset from edge end (default: 0.0)
  • Start Taper Ratio (STR) - Taper at start (0=full height, 1=zero) (default: 0.0)
  • End Taper Ratio (ETR) - Taper at end (default: 0.0)

Outputs

  • Flange (F) - Resulting non-manifold Brep with flange

Tips

  • Taper ratios create gradual transitions along edge
  • Combine multiple flanges before converting to Sheet

None-Manifold Hem (NMH)

Creates a hem (folded edge) feature on a Brep edge.

Inputs

  • Brep (B) - Input Brep geometry
  • Edge Index (EI) - Index of edge to hem
  • Hem Height (HH) - Height of the hem fold
  • Hem Gap (HG) - Distance between hem flanges
  • From Start (FS) - Offset from edge start (default: 0.0)
  • From End (FE) - Offset from edge end (default: 0.0)
  • Flip (F) - Reverses hem direction (default: false)

Outputs

  • Hem (H) - Resulting non-manifold Brep with hem

What is a Hem?

A hem is a folded edge creating two parallel flanges connected by a bend. Used for edge reinforcement, safety (no sharp edges), and aesthetics.

Tips

  • Hem Gap controls spacing between the two folds
  • Use for finishing edges on sheet metal parts
  • Combine with Non-Manifold To Sheet after creating hem features

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Getting Started

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Analysis Components