Sheet metal punch tools are iFeatures with additional attributes that cut simple or complex hole shapes in a face of your part, including across a bend. Punch tools can partially penetrate the face of your model and leave an embossed indentation, or both cut and deform in a single operation.
You can incorporate sheet metal punch iFeatures into your sheet metal part models. You create sheet metal punch iFeatures in the part environment using sketches and features that represent the final model feature. You do not create a model of the physical punch tool.
After you save the file, you use commands in the iFeature environment to convert a sheet metal punch iFeature to a table-driven Punch iFeature, modify punch iFeatures, and view the iFeature Punch catalog.
You can edit a sheet metal punch iFeature file or a specific instance of a placed sheet metal punch iFeature, including its sketches.
Data for sheet metal punch tools
By using the Extract iFeature command and selecting the Sheet Metal Punch iFeature type, you can specify additional data during the creation of the iFeature, such as:
- Punch ID (shop-specific) that you can store and extract later in drawing annotations.
- Selected sketch to define an alternative representation in the flat pattern
- Custom depth parameter that you can extract later in drawing annotations.
Dependent features of the feature you select are included in the selection. You can delete them using the Extract iFeature dialog box. Selected sketches are either unconsumed or consumed by a feature.
Alternative sketch for punch feature in flat pattern
The A-side designation of the flat pattern highlights in the graphics area, indicating the face that is Up. You can define a Sheet Metal Punch iFeature with an alternative sketch to simplify the display in a flat pattern or in a detailed drawing view of the flat pattern. Then you can select one of the following representations of the punched feature when the sheet metal part is displayed as a flat pattern and when the flat pattern is detailed in a drawing view:
- Full 3D feature representation
- Alternative sketch representation
- Center mark representation
Table-driven sheet metal punch tools
Sheet metal punch tools that varying by only one or two parameters lend themselves to definition by a table of parameters. You can convert single sheet metal punch iFeatures to a family of table-drive punches using iFeature Author. Parameters and properties from the original iFeature become column headings in an embedded table. Table rows create unique variations of the iFeature.
You can edit the table-driven punch tools using the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The new version of the iFeature can then replace the current version.
Position Geometry
When you place an iFeature, the interface that is joined to a feature is the position geometry. Typically, it is the sketch plane, but you can add other geometric elements to position the iFeature. Rename the geometry with a descriptive name to make the placement of the iFeature easier to understand. Options on the right-click menu are available to add, remove, and rename the position geometry,