Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to generate a lofted sheet metal model. User input is accepted that obtains two input profiles. A triangulated lofted shape is generated that transitions between the two profiles. The triangulated lofted shape is adjusted to reflect a manufacturing process. A manufacturable lofted sheet metal shape is then generated based on the adjusted triangulated lofted shape.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to utilize custom equations for the unfolding of sheet metal in a solid modeling application. A drawing model is obtained and defines a sheet metal object in the solid modeling application. User input is accepted that defines a custom equation for a first variable that is directly used to calculate a developed length for a bend in the sheet metal object. The custom equation is converted into a standard equation that produces the developed length and is accepted by a modeling kernel of the solid modeling application. The modeling kernel dynamically displays an unfolded version of the sheet metal object based on the standard equation and the calculated developed length without exposing the standard equation to the user.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to generate a lofted sheet metal model. User input is accepted that obtains two input profiles. A triangulated lofted shape is generated that transitions between the two profiles. The triangulated lofted shape is adjusted to reflect a manufacturing process. A manufacturable lofted sheet metal shape is then generated based on the adjusted triangulated lofted shape.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and article of manufacture provide the ability to utilize custom equations for the unfolding of sheet metal in a solid modeling application. A drawing model is obtained and defines a sheet metal object in the solid modeling application. User input is accepted that defines a custom equation for a first variable that is directly used to calculate a developed length for a bend in the sheet metal object. The custom equation is converted into a standard equation that produces the developed length and is accepted by a modeling kernel of the solid modeling application. The modeling kernel dynamically displays an unfolded version of the sheet metal object based on the standard equation and the calculated developed length without exposing the standard equation to the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes, among other things, systems, methods and program products for representing punch geometry and associated manufacturing information.