Creating Plates  

This task shows you how to create plates. 

Typically plates making up bulkheads, decks and floor plates are planar (flat), while those making up cylindrical or curved walls, sheer and camber decks, and corrugated walls are non-planar (curved) plates. Both planar and non-planar plates can be created using this command.

Plates can be created by selecting:

  • A support (both planar and non-planar plates)

Or,

  • A support and a contour (planar plates only).
1. With your product open, click the Plate button . 

The Plate dialog box opens.
   
2. Specify how you want to create your plate from the Type drop-down list:
  • Support
  • Support and contour. In our first scenario, we have chosen this option.
Only planar plates can be created using the Support and contour option.
3. Click the Material & Orientation tab and select material, grade and thickness. See Material Management for more information.

Material, grade and thickness are defined in the specifications catalog.
4. Select the support plane to which the plate will be applied. The selected plane appears in the Support field.

 
5. Define the plate contour:

You can define the contour:

  • By selecting points in sequence and closing the loop. 
    An arrow normal to the support and identifying the direction of extrusion is displayed. As you select elements, a preview appears to guide you. Elements you select are projected onto the support plane.
    The distance the plate is offset from the support is also displayed.

  • By selecting an existing contour

Or,

  • Using the Sketcher to define a contour (see below).
6. Click Apply when done.

The Plate is created. You can still make changes to the Material and Thickness settings.  
  7. In the Offset field, type the distance to offset the plate from the support or use the arrows to set the distance.
    Offset is calculated in the direction opposite that of the material throw orientation.

In this example we have opted to use the Centerline. This enters a value for the offset corresponding to half the thickness of the material. 
8. Click the Reverse Direction option in the dialog box or the arrow in the geometry area to extend the plate in the opposite direction from that shown.

Using the Sketcher

Alternatively, you can use the Sketcher to sketch the plate contour.

  • Click the Sketcher icon opposite the Contour field to open the Sketcher workbench. 
  • Use the Sketcher tools to create the profile for the plate.
  A sketch must not contain more than one external plate contour.
  • Exit the sketcher when done.
    The plate will be created.
  9. Click the Custom Attributes tab to change the values of attributes added by the user. See Adding/Modifying Custom Attributes.

These attributes can also be browsed and edited via the Properties dialog box.
10.  Click OK when done.

Selecting a Support Surface to Create a Plate

You can create both planar and non-planar plates using this option. 

The following scenario illustrates a non-planar plate. The support geometry includes a spline and a sweep to create the support surface.
1. With your product open, click the Plate icon .

The Plate dialog box opens.  
2. Set the Type to Support. 
3. Make the necessary changes to the Material, Thickness and Offset settings. 
4. Select the support surface to which the plate will be applied. 

The support surface can be planar or non-planar. It cannot be the face of a structural section.

The plate is immediately created on the support surface. 
5. Click OK to close the Plate dialog box.