Computing a Global Unfold

You can compute the unfolded contour of a surface on a plane to evaluate the size of the blank of a part to produce.

  1. From the Method Planning section of the action bar, click Global Unfold .
  2. Select the surface to unfold.
  3. Specify the plane that supports the unfold:
    • Either select a plane.
    • Or select an axis system. The XY plane is taken as support plane.
  4. Select an edge to freeze.

    Recommendation: Select an edge or a wireframe element of the surface, as long as possible, and in an area that is not deformed by stamping.

    The edge to freeze becomes the reference to position the unfold in the support plane.
  5. Select edges to transfer to their unfolded position.
    Edges are computed and created on the corresponding unfolded position on the support plane.
  6. Specify the computation mode.
    • Geometric computation
    • Material-based computation. It is a one-step computation process.
      Note: The computation requires that
      • A material is attached to the surface or its parent. An already attached material is automatically selected when you select the surface to unfold.
      • The material has at least elastic properties.
  7. For a material-based computation, enter
    • The material name
    • The material thickness
    • The thickness orientation in regard to the surface.
      Tip: Click the orientation arrow to invert it.

The unfolded contour of the surface to unfold is displayed on the support plane, positioned from the frozen edge. Transferred edges are aggregated under Global Unfold in the tree.