Recognizing Stamping Features

This task illustrates how to recognize a stamp geometry in order to create a Generative Sheetmetal Design stamping feature provided it is on a planar and single support.

Consequently, the following types of stamps can be recognized:

  • Circular stamp
  • Curve stamp
  • Surface stamp
  • Bead
  • Bridge
  • Louver

The recognize feature enables to create a Generative Sheetmetal Design stamping feature from a V4 model or parts created with Sheetmetal Design.
   
The Part Feature Recognition license is required to activate this feature in the Generative Sheetmetal Design Workbench.

Open the NEWRecognize03.CATPart document. This document contains a part created from a V4 model.

  1. Click Recognize . The Recognize Definition dialog box is displayed.

  2. Select a reference face. It will be the reference face for unfolding and for the definition of the sheet metal parameters (i.e. all default parameters will be based on this face).

    Note that the Full recognition option is already selected.

     

  3. Click OK.

    The stamps are generated from the geometry.
     

  4. Select the reference face as a face to be recognized as wall.

  5. Click OK to validate.

     
     
    The Recognize.1 feature is added to the tree view.
    At the same time, the sheet metal parameters are created, deduced from the Part geometry.

  6. Click Sheet Metal Parameters to display the sheet metal parameters.

    On the Parameters tab:

    • the Thickness is equal to 1.5mm,

    • the Default Bend Radius value amounts to twice that of the thickness.

    On the Bend Extremities tab:

    • the bend extremities are set to Minimum with no relief.

    You can modify a few of these parameters. The Thickness parameter cannot be modified because it is based, like the bend extremities and radius, on the initial solid geometry. However, you can modify other parameters (default bend radius and bend extremities) in order for them to be taken into account for sheet metal features other than the "recognized" ones.

    The bend allowance, being used to unfold the part, and the bend corner relief affect all features, and therefore can be edited even for "recognized" features.
     
    You can also define the sheet metal parameters prior to recognizing the part. In this case, you need to make sure that the Thickness parameter value corresponds to the part thickness.

  1. When all parameters have been redefined as needed, click OK in the Sheet Metal Parameters dialog box.

    The solid is now a Generative Sheetmetal Design part. You can now deal with it as with any other Generative Sheetmetal Design part, adding Generative Sheetmetal Design features to complete the design, or unfolding it.
     
    • There is no stiffening rib recognition, since the support feature for the stamp must be planar.
    • Stamps containing inner contours such as flanged hole, flanged cutout cannot be recognized.
    • Sharp stamps are not recognized.