Sheetmetal tool for unfolding solid created by make_brake_formed() and export unfolded sketch to DXF

[kcleung]

In build123d, make_brake_formed() creates sheetmetal parts.

However, is there a tool similar to the FreeCAD sheetmetal tool

https://wiki.freecad.org/SheetMetal_Workbench

that unfolds the sheetmetal part, insert bending regions and export to DXF for CNC laser cutting and bending?

[gumyr]

There is an Issue for unfolding sheet metal designs (#305). I've sent build123d generated STEP files of bent sheet metal parts to SendCutSend and they were able to unbend them and generate the part for me. If you're doing this yourself, one can use the FreeCad unfold until the build123d native version is available.

[kcleung]

There is an Issue for unfolding sheet metal designs (#305). I've sent build123d generated STEP files of bent sheet metal parts to SendCutSend and they were able to unbend them and generate the part for me. If you're doing this yourself, one can use the FreeCad unfold until the build123d native version is available.

Also, would be great if make_brake_formed() can have advanced folding functions such as making folds with a specified bend radius, relief, and corner relief

For the unfolding function, would be nice to also have a variant for creating photoetch patterns, where the SVG can have fully-edged, top-edged and bottom-edged layers.

[gumyr]

It would be helpful and much appreciated if you would add your thoughts to the unbending issue and creating a new issue for enhancements of the existing make_brake_formed function. I'd like to ensure your feedback isn't lost. TIA

[kcleung]

There is an Issue for unfolding sheet metal designs (#305). I've sent build123d generated STEP files of bent sheet metal parts to SendCutSend and they were able to unbend them and generate the part for me. If you're doing this yourself, one can use the FreeCad unfold until the build123d native version is available.

Done! I just filed issue #850 and updated #305

Also, I filed issue #851 for the automatic creation of moulds and cores for casting.

Is it a good time for us to rope the developers from the FreeCAD Sheetmetal workbench into our project, so that we don't have to reinvent the wheels?

[kcleung]

@gumyr : Do you want to mark #850 with the enhancement tag and put it in the non-gating post 1.0.0 release list too?