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SPI SheetMetal Inventor FAQ

SPI SheetMetal Inventor is 100% integrated with the current Inventor solution. SPI enhance the basic sheet metal features of Autodesk Inventor. The unfolding  of complex sheet metal parts is calculated in seconds. SPI's software - in just a few seconds - leaves a flat pattern transferable to e. g. laser or punch CAM programs and press brake control systems (special interface for Trumpf, Delem and Cybelec included) and to bending simulation software.
   
  
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Why is SPI supposed to be the best design software for the sheet metal industry?

SPI's sheet metal Software is the result of more than 25 years of software development for the specific demands of sheet metal design. See: Technical Terms
 
 

Questions
 

Answers
Not that we don't want to discuss your special demands. But some typical questions are often similar.The most popular questions and aswers are listed below.
 
 

Why is SPI supposed to be the best design software for the sheet metal Industry?
SPI's SheetMetal Solutions are the result of more than 25 years software development for the specific challenges in sheet metal design. See: Sheet  metal technology
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What kind of sheet metal specific design features are available with SPI SheetMetal Solutions?
SPI offers several comfortable design features e.g.:
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Is there a sheet metal solution for other Autodesk applications? 
Yes, SPI SheetMetal is available for AutoCAD, Autodesk and for
Inventor
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How does SPI handle material definitions and compensation factors? 
During the bending of sheet metal the material deforms in the way that the flat pattern development differs from the geometric unfolding. To calculate the appropriate specific shortening/reduction, the designer has the choice between three methods: DIN or ANSI formula, user defined formula, discrete values in a shortening table.
See: AutoAnalysis l AutoUpdate of the unfolding l Collision-control l Material management
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Yes, since SPI SheetMetal Release 4.0 and with SPI SheetMetal Inventor this is possible. With SPI  SheetMetal Inventor you can even transfer bending angles, which are larger than 360°, into a 2D-drawing without problems.
See: Unfolding l Freeform surfaces l Lofting
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What kind of data are created beneath the 2D drawing?  
SPI's one-click solid model unfolding not only leaves a flat pattern, but also provides several other results.
See: AutoDimensioning l Bending table l BOM data l cost estimation l NC-Transfer
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Yes, since Release 5.0 this is possible for SPI SheetMetal as well as for SPI SheetMetal Inventor. 
See: Tool management
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Can I bend up a parametric flat geometry? 
Yes, since Release 5.0 this is possible.
See: Parametric bend feature
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One can do this using "virtual splitting". 
See: Split atrributes
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Which sheet metal components can also be unfold with SPI SheetMetal Inventor? 
There are many possibilities to unfold extraordinary sheet metal components. 
See: Pipes with non perpendicular cuts l cones even with axes l conversions from polygon to circular
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What kind of 3D import formate are supported by SPI SheetMetal Inventor?
SPI supports the formats listed below:

SolidWorks Parts: *.sldprt
SolidWorks Assemblies: *.sldasm
Parasolid: *.x_t; *.x_b; *.xmt_txt; *.xmt_bin
IGES: *.igs; *.iges
STEP AP203/214: *.step; *.stp
ACIS: *.sat
ProE Part: *.prt; *.prt*; *.xpr
ProE Assembly: *.asm, *.asm*; *.xas
UGII: *.prt
Inventor Part: *.ipt
SolidEdge Part: *.par; *.psm
SolidEdge Assembly: *.asm
CADKEY: *.prt; *.ckd

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SPI exclusivly offers the special SHARP CORNERED DESIGN which in many cases is faster than every other method. Filleting and is not neccessary.  
See: Automatic filleting l Corner stamps l Filleting and Champfering
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Is it hard to get to know to and work with all these possibilities? 
No, as long as you are used to design with Autodesk or other CAD systems it is not very hard to learn. 
See: Video based online help

Technical terms
Material definitions and bend compensation factors driving the unfolding process are easily input into the material management, which will calculate the precise flat geometry according to the needs of the designer. He can edit correction factor, discrete shortening values and formula calculations influenced by type and thickness of material, type of manufacturing process, bend angle and bend radius. As soon as the designer selects a material for the designed part he need not care for the behavior of the model during the bending process. The software checks the operations and displays messages in case of inconsistencies (e.g. "overlapping of material", "bending radius lower than critical minimum").
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With a comfortable set of functions to design corner areas SPI saves a lot of construction-time. Corners are designed using several types. Bending angles can be different and can be modified at any time. Other parameters drive the corner reliefs. The new possibility to split corners  guaranties a precise unfolding of closed boxes.
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If you choose the sharp cornered design with SPI SheetMetal you need not care for the notching. The software will do. The automatic positioning of corner stamps has been enhanced now. Such stamps can be defined in the tool management. Pre-defined: round, square, rectangle, triangle, oblong, (new:) laser stamp. Reliefs of corners and flanges are defined independently from each other. 
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An automatic dimensioning completes the drawing.
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Flanges can be created under arbitrary angles, sharp and filleted, with different automatic reliefs. As every other command these functions are controlled by an easy to use panel where the designer defines length, width, offset, bend radius, and bend relief. The option "sharp cornered" speeds up design when it is not necessary to display fillets. Even slant flanges, joggles and hems are possible.
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You can use different kinds of design. The standard flange includes automatic filleting. The option "sharp cornered" speeds up design when it is not necessary to display fillets.
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Create parametric sheet metal bodies from any profile! Lead off parts or whole assemblies from existing drawings or design in 3D from the beginning.
Start with a profile and extend your design by adding flanges, that can be positioned under arbitrary angles. Use the box command or use predefined flange-types. The program creates 3D Solids from arbitrary 2D profiles, that can be designed by "sweep along path". You can create complex sheet metal parts with the aid of the shelling command and use the "split attributes", which can now be used not only for corner splits but with faces (plateaus) either. With Version 4 create new sheet metal parts using sheet metal lofting between existing profiles.
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SPI offers AutoUpdate of the contour when the 3D model has been modified.
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The bending line table offers an editable list with all the information needed to define the follow up of the forming process. With 4.0 it delivers the total length of the bending line, too.
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The SPI material data appear in the bill of material if there are appropriate columns defined. After each unfold process the dimension of the unfolded geometry (width x heights) is assigned to the part data.
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SPI SheetMetal provides you with a new command for the fast design of sheet metal boxes. Based on a closed profile you are asked to define length and opening angle of the flanges. The software then creates identical flanges to all edges of the initial profile. Separate flanges can be deleted - if necessary. Corners are displayed closed but are prepared to be notched automatically when you create the unfolding. Typical use: Boxes for electronic and electromechanical components and cladding panels. SPI SheetMetal provides the user with a command for the fast design of sheet metal boxes. Based on a closed profile you define length and opening angle of the flanges. The software then creates identical flanges to all edges of the initial profile. Separate flanges can be deleted - if necessary. Corners are displayed closed but are prepared to be notched automatically when you create the unfolding.
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During the unfold calculation the part will be analyzed. Any problem area will be displayed or reported. Common problems detected include: overlapping of material (clash detection), bend radius lower than critical minimum bend radius (break). The initial selection of the manufacturing capabilities ensures that only the material and tools available are recommended to the designer, avoiding rejection on non-manufacturable parts and the resulting rework. 
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The unfold shape of cones, even with axes is generated in seconds using the SPI solution 
SheetMetal Inventor.
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Conversions from polygon to circular

No unfold problems with conversions from polygon to circular.
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Estimated manufacturing costs are calculated simultaneously during the design process. At any time, the designer can calculate total costs based on type and thickness of material, number of bends, number of punch and stamp tools, length of contour. These data can be used in an Excel sheet later on.
A very frequent task is to fillet or chamfer sheet metal corners to avoid sharp areas. Using default Autodesk  commands for that is often difficult, because the selected edges are very small and difficult to pick. SPI makes the selection of the required edges much easier. Just pick an edge near to the edge you like to modify. An obvious mark for all selected edges is shown.
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Several types are available: e.g. the fast "standard flange" (with automatic filleting and notching), the "easy flange" (sharp cornered design), the "slant flange" (with slant angles), the "joggle" or the "hem" (bend angle = 180°). Version 5 allows to measure the inclusive angle between two planar faces. This also applies to the measure capability of angles in some SPI SheetMetal commands, like flange creation etc.
Since Release 4.0 you can create unfoldings of single freeform surfaces even those that belong to solids, that do not represent sheet  metal parts. Typical case: partial unfoldings of deep drawn sheet metal parts an components, once created using progressive die tools. Autodesk often represents imported data (IGES, STEP) with freeform surfaces, although (mathematically) these faces are plane faces. Even such faces are now transferred to precise unfoldings without error.
A special function eases the design and unfolding of joggles.
Create new sheet metal parts with lofting between two closed profiles. Material attributes are attached automatically. When modifying the parameters you can change the contour of the profiles, the related position of the profiles, die kind of material and thickness. The created part, that may contain freeform surfaces, is unfolded without problems. This new function is very useful for the design of lofted parts, transitions from round to square, conical segments and drawer-like cases. 
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Material management

The chosen way for the calculation of the unfolding has to be defined by corresponding parameters in the SPI SheetMetal program. Formulas and tables are maintained in a database. Material definitions and bend compensation factors driving the unfolding process are easily input into the technology driven material management, which will calculate the precise flat geometry according to the needs of the designer. He can edit correction factor, discrete shortening values and formula calculations influenced by type and thickness of material, type of manufacturing process, bend angle and bend radius. The program offers automatic dimensioning and an automatic update of the shape when the solid is modified. The values and formulas defined in the material management are taken into account during construction and development to check edges and profiles and calculate unfolded lengths. During the bending of sheet metal the material deforms in the way that the flat pattern development differs from the geometric unfolding. To calculate the appropriate specific shortening/reduction, the designer has the choice between three methods: DIN or ANSI formula, user defined formula, discrete values in a shortening table. The SPI material data appear in the bill of material if there are appropriate columns defined. After each unfold process the dimension of the unfolded geometry (width x heights) is assigned to the part data.
SPI's one-click solid model unfolding not only leaves a flat pattern transferable to punch, laser or flame-cutting CAM programs, but also provides transfer to Cybelec or Delem bending software with all the 3D information needed to prepare the forming.
SPI SheetMetal introduces a full parametric bend command. This command can bend up a flat geometry of a parametric sheet metal part by specifying a bending line. It considers the bend allowance. The bends are corrected according to the shortening calculation method when modifying either the bending angle, the type of material or the part’s thickness. There are several options to specify the bending line: clicking two co-ordinates, picking a bending line of an unfold shape, using an open profile.
With  SPI SheetMetal Inventor you can  unfold pipes, which have non perpendicular cuts can be without any problems. The unfold shape shows the inner and outer contour of the cut.
SPI SheetMetal for Autodesk provide designers and manufacturers dramatic improvements in the design process for ready to manufacture products. This is achieved through a unique combination of specialized sheet metal design capabilities. The result is significant cost savings and shorter design cycle.  SPI SheetMetal is truly 100% integrated with Autodesk. Thus modifications of global parameters are 100% considered - no matter if you built the model with Autodesk and/or SPI SheetMetal functions. SPI support the designer with several design features e.g. apply flanges with automatic filleting and notching, shortening, stretching, free choice of bending angle, flatten sharp cornered parts. With a comfortable set of functions to design corner areas SPI saves a lot of construction-time. Automatic creation of bend reliefs reduces the designers workload. The initial selection of the manufacturing capabilities ensures that only the materials, tools and process available are recommended to the designer, avoiding rejection on non-manufacturable parts and the resulting rework. The automatic flat generation provides fast, accurate flattening of 3D sheet metal parts to create the complete 2D flat information needed.
You can produce precise thin sheet  metal shells from solids. The split attributes guarantee a accurate unfolding result.
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The split attributes guarantee a accurate unfolding result. In that way you can create complex sheet metal designs faster than you have never seen before. In the former release split attributes could only be attached to corners. Since Release 4 you can use the split command with faces (plateaus) too. Even new: the comfortable "split path finder". Enhancing the corner split command it is possible to define a global spacing for non straight corner situations.
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Tool management

Based on partnerships with leading punch tool manufacturers, SPI offers a wide range of the most frequently used punch and emboss tools (circle, oblong, rectangle, hexagon, dimples, louvers, bridges, countersink,  etc.). The tool table shows the tool position coordinates x and y and the reference angle for each tool. To do so, you just need to choose a reference point for the generation of the x and y values. The user can define a parametric punch and stamp tool library. These self-defined tools can be placed on the parametric part with the same command as the standard SPI tools. Among others knockout, oblong, rectangle, square, countersink and stiffening are available as standard parametric tools. Two new standard stamp tools are introduced with 5.0: Outlet-Round and Outlet-Sharp.
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Unfolding

SPI’s solid model unfolding - of filleted and non-filleted parts - can be started at any time to control the design process. During the unfold calculation the part will be analyzed. Any problem area will be displayed or reported. The designer decides in which way the unfolding is calculated (based on discrete values / formula). Together with the unfolding the system displays the views. Since Release 4.0 SPI can even unfold freeform surfaces. You can create unfoldings of single freeform surfaces even those that belong to solids, that do not represent sheet  metal parts. Typical case: partial unfoldings of deep drawn sheet metal parts an components, once created using progressive die tools.
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Video-based online help system

For each command you access help by pressing the F1 key or the appropriate help button in a SPI dialog box. For most SPI SheetMetal commands a video is provided displaying the command in real life.