CAD Guidance

For each sheet thickness, there is an appropriate inner radius and flange length for bending sheet metal.

A part with an insufficient flange length, as depicted on the right, cannot be bent.

The left part's radius aligns with the bending table, qualifying it for an automated quote. Conversely, the right parts inside radius is too small relative to the material thickness, rendering it unmanufacturable.

For a chamfered flange, the bending process should consider the shortest side as the flange length. Parts with a chamfer risk deformation on the shorter flange side during bending.

Holes near a bend are prone to deformation and should be placed beyond the minimum recommended flange length for optimal results, or designs with consecutive bends, the spacing should not be less than the minimum flange length to avoid complications during the bending process.

For sheet metal bend relief, it's essential to incorporate cut-outs adjacent to flanges. This practice prevents material tearing during the bending process.

Include any details regarding metal surface treatment in the comments section.

When laser cutting letters and signs, be aware of the letter “O” versions. Version 3, which resembles version 1, contains an extraneous cut. To prevent the interior of letters from detaching, they must be connected to the main part.

Threading and countersinking are available services. Specify the count of threaded or countersunk holes on the order form for immediate pricing.

3D models must feature pilot holes for threading as per the provided table, excluding the threads themselves. Attach a production file detailing thread specification.

When designing tubular structures, it's essential to include both an inside and an outside radius to mirror real-world applications. These radii are not just aesthetic but are crucial for the structural integrity and manufacturability of the tubes. Detailed guidelines on standard radius measurements can typically be found in design manuals or engineering resources, click here.

Neglecting to add these radii could result in the parts being misclassified as requiring CNC machining, which may not be the intended manufacturing process.

It is advisable to avoid placing holes that overlap with the tube's radius at the edges. Such placements can interfere with the cutting tools, potentially leading to inaccuracies or damage as the tool passes through the tube's perpendicular thickness. Proper hole placement is critical for maintaining the structural integrity and ensuring a smooth manufacturing process.

When working with DXF files, it's essential to maintain a 1:1 scale for accuracy. Adjusting dimensions manually won't correct scale issues; instead, use the scale command to ensure precision. After scaling, verify the dimensions by uploading the drawing to check for accuracy.

When creating a CAD drawing for laser cutting, it's essential to start with a fresh file. This avoids the transfer of hidden layers or extraneous elements that may be present in saved templates. Each drawing should contain only one part, and the DXF file must be correctly formatted.

The drawing should include only the cutting lines, without any additional elements such as title blocks, dimensions, tolerances, centre lines, bending lines, or hatching. These are unnecessary for the cutting process and can cause confusion.

It's also important to avoid broken views in CAD drawings.

Ensure that all lines in the drawing are connected. Disconnected lines can lead to errors in the cutting process.

Splines should be avoided as they can be problematic for laser cutting software, which may misinterpret them, leading to unsatisfactory results. Instead, use arcs and lines, which are more straightforward for the software to process.

Lastly, check for and remove any overlapping lines. While they may be difficult to detect with the naked eye, they are recognised by the computer and can result in additional, unintended cuts.

Following these guidelines will help ensure a smooth and accurate laser cutting process.