Solid Edge Direct edit of bend radius increases adjacent cutout depth

In this example a user has imported a STEP file into the Ordered Sheet Metal environment.  Next they do a Thin part to Sheet Metal Transformation.

They apply a PMI reference dimension from the top of the bend to the edge of the cutout.

They then do a Direct edit using Modify – Bend Radius. They change the bend radius from 3mm to 5mm.

This changes the depth of the adjacent cutout – as can be seen in the PMI dimension which changes to  57.12mm.

Why does this happen?

Solution

What is happening here is that the cutout is being considered as bend relief, therefore it adjusts the bend relief to maintain the depth.

This can be tested by applying PMI to the edge - it will be the same before and after modifying the radius - 47.12mm.

The workaround is to import the STEP file into Synchronous, Optimize, Tools - Transform – Thin Part to Synchronous sheet metal.  This way a flange is recognised and becomes a Synchronous feature.

Consequently there will be no change to the cutout when the bend radius is modified.

The difference between the behavior in Ordered and Synchronous is that whilst Synchronous also has a concept of bend relief which is created when the flange is created, the evaluation of the cutout is different and in this case, it will not pass the criteria for it to be considered as bend relief.

Hardware/Software Configuration

Platform: INTL64
OS: windows
OS Version: n/a
Product: SOLID_EDGE
Application: PART/SHEETMETAL
Version: V221.0
Function: DIRECT

Ref: 002-8565588