Skip to content

Sheet Metal

This section applies to the Sheet Metal process group.

Geometry or Cost Engine Changes that Could Impact Configured Digital Factories

The following changes might impact costing, even for Digital Factories that use earlier cost model versions.

  • Enhanced Recognition of Straight Bends with Gussets: This release extends the Sheet Metal geometry recognition algorithms to better identify gusset features which are used to stiffen straight bend features. Gusset recognition is improved particularly when a part contains multiple gusset features

    Note that, as in previous releases, the Sheet Metal process group provides options to specify how these gusset features are formed, whether simultaneously with the creation of the bend or separately, and the number of hits required. For more information, refer to the aPriori Cost Model Guide and the Bend Brake process setup option Define When Gussets Can be Formed.

  • Material Specified in Bulk Costing & Analysis Dialog Now Applied During GCD Extraction (can impact blank outline with FEA flattening): This release resolves an issue where the material specified in the Bulk Costing & Analysis dialog was not correctly applied during GCD extraction, causing material-dependent GCDs to be computed incorrectly.

    As a result of this change, the blank outline may change compared to the previous release, which can affect material utilization and cost.

    Note:

    Bulk Costing via spreadsheet input was not affected by this issue, and its results will not change compared to the previous release.

Bug Fixes or Small Improvements to Prior Cost Model Versions

The following changes might impact costing for Digital Factories that use earlier cost model versions.

  • NO IMPACT

Cost Model Changes that Do Not Affect Configured Digital Factories

The following changes do not affect costings with Digital Factories that use earlier cost model versions. The changes are available only in the latest cost model version (CMV 350).

  • Costing Enabled for Parts with “Sharp” Internal Tab Features Sheet metal parts with internal tab features (recognized as Form GCDs whose Sub Type property has value TAB) now will be analyzed successfully even when the tab includes a sharp (0-radius) bend. Previously parts with these 0-radius tab features failed to cost with an error.
  • Minimum Bend Radius Thresholds Relaxed (impacts design guidance): Some design guidance severity thresholds for aluminum, steel, and stainless steel were updated to be less conservative for sheet metal stock of 6 mm thickness or less. For example, in the previous release, for an aluminum part with any Bend Radius between the stock thickness and 1/10 the stock thickness, aPriori flagged a design guidance issue with severity Major. Now a Bend Radius between the stock thickness and 1/2 the stock thickness is flagged as an issue with only Minor severity. Similar adjustments were made for steel and stainless steel, although the specific threshold values (as a multiple of stock thickness) vary by material. As before, Digital Factory administrators can further adjust thresholds to match their specific manufacturing capabilities and standards (see Design Guidance Configuration).