Feature Request - Sheet Metal Workbench - STEP Auto-unfolder

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Kunda1
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Feature Request - Sheet Metal Workbench - STEP Auto-unfolder

Post by Kunda1 »

We're currently using the Sheet Metal addon to unfold STEP files for calculation/production purposes.
Due to the manual effort we would like to automate the unfold process with a simple python script/tool using the FreeCAD Sheet Metal addon.
The user should simply drag & drop the STEP Files and receive the unfolded e.g. .DXF-Files or .PDF.
Is this possible with the Sheet Metal addon or is there such a tool already?
Source: https://github.com/shaise/FreeCAD_SheetMetal/issues/95
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gabi23
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Re: Feature Request - Sheet Metal Workbench - STEP Auto-unfolder

Post by gabi23 »

Hi,

I'm looking for the same feature. Is there any option to automatically unfold a sheet metal ?

Or maybe, to automatically unfold all part in a given STEP file ?
Actually, we must select a part and click on the unfold button. Can we unfold all part without select part after part ?
HalpPlease
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Re: Feature Request - Sheet Metal Workbench - STEP Auto-unfolder

Post by HalpPlease »

Any update on this ?
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ThanklessLiving
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Re: Feature Request - Sheet Metal Workbench - STEP Auto-unfolder

Post by ThanklessLiving »

It's quite funny how these people just casually seek some of the most complicated features imaginable from this free software
drmacro
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Re: Feature Request - Sheet Metal Workbench - STEP Auto-unfolder

Post by drmacro »

In addition to being complicated...

A Step file could contain a solid model of an aluminum extrusion, an brass casting, 100 different fasteners, and 2 sheetmetal parts. In a single file and all just being step solids.

How would this magic tool know which things to unfold? Which face of said things is the fold plane? Which edges are the seams?
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan: Spock: "...His pattern indicates two-dimensional thinking."
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easyw-fc
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Re: Feature Request - Sheet Metal Workbench - STEP Auto-unfolder

Post by easyw-fc »

I imagine the request could cover a reduced scenario in a metal workshop...
Probably STEP files would be only with unfoldable shapes...
then the macro could simply look at the document's objects and for each object should find automatically the biggest face and then unfold the object...
In that case I think it could be feasible as a macro or an internal command of the wb.
Not a guaranteed result, but an automation for repeated jobs.
drmacro
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Re: Feature Request - Sheet Metal Workbench - STEP Auto-unfolder

Post by drmacro »

easyw-fc wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 9:44 pm I imagine the request could cover a reduced scenario in a metal workshop...
Probably STEP files would be only with unfoldable shapes...
then the macro could simply look at the document's objects and for each object should find automatically the biggest face and then unfold the object...
In that case I think it could be feasible as a macro or an internal command of the wb.
Not a guaranteed result, but an automation for repeated jobs.
Yes the file would have to be specific. It could not be an arbitrary step file.

At that point the assumptions could be used.

But, as you note, not guaranteed results.
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan: Spock: "...His pattern indicates two-dimensional thinking."
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ThanklessLiving
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Re: Feature Request - Sheet Metal Workbench - STEP Auto-unfolder

Post by ThanklessLiving »

drmacro wrote: Mon Mar 20, 2023 9:12 pm In addition to being complicated...

A Step file could contain a solid model of an aluminum extrusion, an brass casting, 100 different fasteners, and 2 sheetmetal parts. In a single file and all just being step solids.

How would this magic tool know which things to unfold? Which face of said things is the fold plane? Which edges are the seams?
All these functions exist in single software suites - importing an entire assembly, recognizing what is sheet metal, unfolding those parts according to your bend tooling and machines, automatically generating processing for each part and finally calculating the processing and material costs for the entire assembly according to your labor, material and machine costs.

In theory everything works but unexpected things always happen in practice. Each of those steps represents a monumental amount of development.

At this point it's like having a bicycle and asking if it is possible to make it drive itself while you enjoy champagne from the integrated fridge
HalpPlease
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Re: Feature Request - Sheet Metal Workbench - STEP Auto-unfolder

Post by HalpPlease »

That would be amazing really.
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