Autodesk University

Overview

Sheet metal punch tools are iFeatures with additional attribution. Use the Extract iFeature option on the Tools menu to extract and save a sketched feature or a sketch in a catalog for future use. If the selected feature has geometrically dependent features, they are automatically selected, but you can delete them using the Extract iFeature dialog box. To extract all the features in a part, select the base feature. Selected sketches may be unconsumed or consumed by a feature.
In addition to geometry, a Sheet Metal Punch iFeature can also contain:

• A specified punch identification (ID)
• A predefined depth
• An alternative sketch to optionally represent a complex punch on the flat pattern

Punch Tool Creation-Obround/Slot with Table/Spreadsheet Driven Dimensions

1. Create the sheet metal base feature.

2. Create punch geometry as follows:
   1. Create center mark @ origin. Only one center mark is allowed per iFeature.
   2. Create slot.
   3. Add User Parameters "Length" and "Width" to the Parameters Table.

   

   4. Add "Length" and "Width" dimensions to the sketch. Finish the sketch and extrude/cut by "Thickness".

   

   To create a sheet metal punch iFeature:

   1. Click Tools, then Extract iFeature.
   2. On the Extract iFeature dialog box, select Sheet Metal Punch iFeature as the iFeature type.
   3. On the model or in the browser, select one or more features to extract.
   4. (Optional) In the Extract iFeature dialog box, select one or more feature parameters from the left browser column to be used as Size Parameters. Click the double-right arrow to move these to the Size Parameter field.
   5. Change the Name, Value, Limit, and/or Prompt for each Size Parameter as required.
   6. (Optional) Specify a Punch ID.
   7. (Optional) Specify a custom punch depth.
   8. (Optional) Specify an alternative sketch to represent the punched feature once the sheet metal part is displayed as a flat pattern.
   9. Save the Sheet Metal Punch iFeature with a unique name in the default Punch catalog or another catalog location.
   5. Extract the iFeature and Save.

   

   6. Open the saved Punch iFeature. Open iFeature Author Table. Right-click on the first row and select Insert Row. Change at least one dimension in the new row. An Excel table is created.

   

   7.  Expand iFeature to display the Table. Right-click on Table and select Edit via Spread Sheet.

   

   8. Customize the PunchId column. I want to display "width" X "length" SLOT. The Punch Id formula is =FIXED(C2,3)&" X "&FIXED(A2,3)&" SLOT"
   9. Change the Thickness column to "Thickness". Eliminate units from the Length and Width columns.
   10. Fill in all the different obrounds/slots that your shop has the tooling for.
   11. Save and close the file.

   

Punch Tool Application and Detailing

1. Create a new sheet metal part. Extrude the base feature.
2. Create a new sketch. Add and locate the center point for the punch tool. Finish the sketch.
3. Click the “Punch Tool” button.
4. Select the punch iFeature created in the previous section.



5. In the Punch Tool dialog box, select 0.281 X .500 SLOT.





6. In the Punch Tool dialog box, select 90 degree angle, and then click Finish.
7. Create a Flat Pattern and save the file.



8. Start a new drawing/.idw file.
9. Create the base view of the flat pattern. Select “Recover Punch Center”.



10. Note that the obround/slot hit center displays on the print.
11. Use the Punch Notes tool in Inventor 2009 and later to document the Punch Feature. If you are using Inventor 2008, use Leader Text to document slot info. Select the iFeature1:1:Width (0.28in), change Precision as desired, then click the Add Parameter button. Repeat for slot Length.



The completed annotation is shown as follows:



12. To annotate using a Punch Table:
    1. Select Hole Table - View, then select the view you wish to drive the table.
    2. Select the part Origin.
    3. Change the standard from Hole Table to Punch Table.
    4. Place the table on the drawing.

    

13. To edit the format of the table, right-click on the table and select Edit Hole Table.

Either way, if you change the ipt/model's slot dimensions, the idw/print's slot annotation will automatically update.