A detailers’ guide to sheet metal bending

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Vignesh Selvaraj Avatar
Vignesh Selvaraj
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This blog illustrates how to provide the dimension detail in an efficient way for sheet metal bending using Tekla Structure. For bending of sheet metal, we need to provide add-on information in Pdf drawings and dxf files for calrity of fabricator.

By default the Tekla Structures can generate drawing with bend lines. But it is not sufficient for the fabricator, until he knows which side to bend the sheet. This can be achived using the plugin “DSTV TO DXF CONVERTER” available on Tekla Warehouse.
(Note: Always check if the drawings are created in front view for high quality output.). See below image for clarity

Snap without bending information on pdf drawings
Snap with bending information on pdf drawings

Steps to show bending lines:
When a DXF file is exported using Tekla it shows reference line. In order to add the bending lines we use the tool “DSTV TO DXF CONVERTER“.In this tool, there is an option to provide a bending line in a different layer on the dxf file. The output dxf files contain information in which direction the sheet has to be bent. This information can be used by the detailer and fabricator for quality output. See below image for clarity

DSTV TO DXF CONVERTER TOOL
Snap without Bending information on dxf files
Snap with Bending information on dxf files

Comments

2 responses to “A detailers’ guide to sheet metal bending”

  1. Avatar
    Pedro

    Hi Vignesh,

    I have followed all the steps to export the DSTV file to DXF hoping to generate a dxf drawing with bend lines but had no success. Is that something I could try? Is that something to do with the tekla version? I have tried on Tekla 2025 to 2023. Any insights or help would be appreciated.

    Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Avatar
      Vignesh

      Hi Pedro,

      Thank you for following the steps we shared — we appreciate you giving it a try.

      Note: When modeling bent members, using the Polybeam option typically generates bend lines in the DXF export. However, using the “Create Cylindrical Bend Plate” tool usually does not include bend lines in the output.

      We’d recommend trying the Polybeam method in these cases to see if it resolves the issue. Let us know how it goes, or if you need any further assistance — happy to help.

      Reply

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