I have received many emails whether we have sheet metal modelling tools as we provide tools to flatten sheet metal models. I wonder why rhino doesn’t develop one. No one will invest a lot of money to develop such tools based on Rhino as he will lost money if Rhino decides to develop sheet metal modelling tools itself.
We have develop the key function to modelling sheet metal flange with grasshopper components. I think with such tools you can create a fair complex sheet metal model. Here is the gallery: Modelling Tools For Rhino Gallery – SmartUnfold
If you want to download the plugin (include grasshopper thing), you can go to this page: Modelling Tools For Rhino – SmartUnfold
If you need other tools, please let us know. We will try to develop it if not cost a lot of time.
Not sure whether my post is against forum rules, if it is, admin can delete it.
A metal bending plugin would be great, no need to worry McNeel developing one. Industry specific plugins, sans something like Rhino.Inside - Revit have never came from McNeel, always 3rd party developers. Giving the tools to develop the 3rd party plugins is more in the wheelhouse.
@smartunfold Nice! A Bending SEQUENCE for profiles to avoid collision (self and punch) or failed bending would be a great complementary for Press Brake Machines.
We have added the bending tool to our plugin. @Craig3, we have a unfold tool to flatten a sheet metal model in Rhino, but it is standalone plugin. @ThomasE , the sequence should be controlled by the users. User should be able to use our new bending tool to bend a plate into a shape like you have shown. Here is the video: Bend Grasshopper Component in Rhino
If you can create a cross section like the shape you have, then extrude it to a solid, will be more easy? I am not sure.
We hope to create a Swiss-Knife kind of tool for create a sheet metal model.
If your guys have any questions or suggestions, we are glad to hear.
