<!DOCTYPE html
  PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN">

<!--
Copyright (c) 2006 UGS Corp.

All Rights Reserved.

This software and related documentation are proprietary to UGS Corp.
-->
<html>
   <head>
      <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
      <title>Spine</title>
      <script language="javaScript">
        abridged="false";
        displayConditions=new Array();
      </script>
      <link type="text/css" href="../css/main_styles.css" rel="stylesheet">
   </head>
   <body class="bodydocs" onload="top.pageLoader()" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
      <div class="title_topic4" id="xps10_pagetitle">Spine</div>
      <hr noshade="true">
      <table cellspacing="4" align="center">
         <tr valign="top">
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1">
               <p class="para_td"><a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('sheetmetaldes/smfea_inset_flng.html');return(false);">General Flange Overview</a></p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1">
               <p class="para_td">Options</p>
            </td>
            <td bgcolor="#f7f7f7" colspan="1" rowspan="1">
               <p class="para_td"><a class="links" href="javascript:void(0)" onclick="top.openFile('sheetmetaldes/build_multi_parts.html');return(false);">Related Topics</a></p>
            </td>
         </tr>
      </table><br><p align="left"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/image1969.gif"></p>
      <p class="para_topic">The spine controls the shape of a general flange by defining how sections create for all modes of the general flange. The selection of a spine is optional. If you do not select a spine, the bend string is treated as the spine. The system creates a general flange by creating section curves that lie in planes that are normal to the spine at points along the spine.</p>
      <p class="para_topic">The selection filter option lets you select curves or edges. The curves and/or edges must be G1 continuous.</p>
      <p class="para_topic">At each point on the spine string, a plane constructs, called a section plane, that is perpendicular to the spine's tangent at the point in question. The system creates section curves that lie in these planes. These curves form the top face of the general flange.</p>
      <p class="para_topic">The length of both the spine and the bend edge limits the length of the general flange. It will truncate at either the end of the bend edge, or by a plane normal to the end of the spine whichever is shorter. You may choose any G1 curve as a spine curve, but the spine should be selected carefully to achieve good results. Usually, the spine should follow the general direction of the bend edge and have as little curvature as possible. We recommend that you start with the bend edge and smooth out places where the curvature is excessive. Keep in mind that the spine controls not only the shape of the creation state, but the distortion to other states when the Along Sections distortion algorithm is used. If the spine has too much curvature, nearby sections of the flange will be far from parallel and may cause self&ndash;intersecting surfaces. In general, the larger the flange, the gentler the spine needs to be.</p>
      <p class="para_topic">When using law functions (e.g., plus, angle, radius, and length) with Values along Spine methods, the law spine does not need to be the same as the spine described in this section. If you do not choose a spine, you may set the <b class="uiTerm">Infer Spine</b> option on the <b class="uiTerm">Options</b> dialog box. This will enable to system to generate a spine that is suitable for the input data you have selected.
      </p>
      <p class="para_topic">You may set the selection filter to choose <b class="uiTerm">All Curves and Edges</b>, <b class="uiTerm">All Edges</b>, <b class="uiTerm">Solid Edges</b>, <b class="uiTerm">Sheet Edges</b>, and <b class="uiTerm">Curves</b>.
      </p>
      <p class="para_topic">Refer to the figure below, both general flanges have curved bend edges. The general flange on the left was created using a curved spine (identical to the bend edge). The general flange has a linear spine. Note how the shape of the general flange has changed.</p>
      <div class="figure">
         <p align="center"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/image1868.gif"></p>
      </div>
      <div class="title_figure">Spine usage</div>
      <div class="title_division">Section strings</div>
      <p align="left"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/image1970.gif"></p>
      <p class="para_division">The Section Strings selection step is only available when using the Build to Sections method. You may select curves or edges that define the shape of the general flange top face. See below for more information.</p>
      <p class="para_division">You may set the selection filter to choose all curves and edges, only edges, or only curves.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Shaping faces</div>
      <p align="left"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/image1971.gif"></p>
      <p class="para_division">Use the <b class="uiTerm">Shaping Faces</b> selection when you are using the Build to Faces method. You may select faces from solid bodies or sheet bodies that define the shape of the general flange top face. See below for more information.
      </p>
      <p class="para_division">You may set the selection filter to choose all faces or only faces that are G1 continuous on the same body.</p>
      <div class="title_division">Punch vector</div>
      <p align="left"><img align="bottom" src="graphics/image1972.gif"></p>
      <p class="para_division">This selection step is used in <b class="uiTerm">Punch Vector</b> method. It launches the standard vector selection method.
      </p>
      <p class="para_division">Depending on the vector selection method, a vector is inferred from the selected geometry. The vector displays as a temporary display.</p>
      <p class="para_division">Among the vector selection methods are: <b class="uiTerm">Inferred Vector</b>, <b class="uiTerm">Between Two Points</b>, <b class="uiTerm">At Angle</b>, <b class="uiTerm">Edge/Curve Vector</b>, <b class="uiTerm">Face Normal</b>, <b class="uiTerm">Datum Plane Normal</b>, <b class="uiTerm">Datum Axis</b>, <b class="uiTerm">XC Axis</b>, <b class="uiTerm">YC Axis</b>, <b class="uiTerm">ZC Axis</b>, and <b class="uiTerm">Vector Constructor</b>.
      </p>
   </body>
</html>