Sheet metal enclosures... inspire me

steviejr92 said:
Ok i finally got it where i like it. Complete with drilling holes. Going to be moving onto the cutting and bending process soon.
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I love the console shape with the controls split between the two faces. Are the sides of the lower section going to extend vertically past the top like the wood sides of a Hammond console enclosure do? Hard to tell from the drawing - looks like maybe those are the taller component?

Edit - Thorpy pedals would be another good example of what I'm talking about - where the sides are taller than the top.

And - are you using fusion?? How do you like it? Is it possible/ easy to stack those two pieces together and see what they would look like assembled?
 
Ok so the bottom walls are going to be under the top plate. Ive done this too allow tolerances when bending the bottom plate. There will be a lip but im hoping thatll add to the pedal. 2nd this will make sure every pedal is the same size 5" across every time. The walls do look that way but im compensating for the thickness of the aluminum, if you look closely the top plate will be sitting on top on the bottom plate. If i were to make the walls the same length the difference in thickness of the material will be noticeable and will bother me. So better to have material and go down from there than to take too much off and screw it up.

Yup im using Fusion 360! Its a little learning curve but i got the gist of it in a couple days when i really sat down. Heres a video to help to start off. Even with this video though be expected to come up with some workarounds when it comes to printing the actual size. I can help with that. But there are some other things in there that either because the free version sucks or otherwise that youll have to come up with a workaround im sure youll see what i mean when you come to them. When you do ill be sure to lend a hand.


Hopefully this gets you off to good start. I had to watch a few times but youll get it.
 
Ok i have not made it that far yet. Ive yet to bend or cut any metal out. What should i be looking for when bending? If the bends match to the radius that is shown in Fusion?
 
steviejr92 said:
Im trying to figure out how to get you that info. Im still learning Fusion 360 lol
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That's something you need to figure out before trying to waste some sheet metal :)

You have to make a 90 degrees bend using scap piece from the same stuff that your'e going to use on the enclosure.
And you have to measure bend radius and use the same value in Fusion360. Just print simple radius template. Here's the example - from 1 mm to 4.5mm. Make a test bend, measure which line matches the edge.
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Ahhhhh this is super duper helpful! Once i start making some bends i will be able to give you an answer.

Between you and me ive yet to bolt down my metal brake :)
 
temol said:
I suppose that you cannot adjust radius of the bend. So you have to adjust your model.
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I have a woodward 24' metal brake this guy right here:

METAL BRAKE

I havent yet really messed with it to give you an answer on the adjustability but just looking at it i would say no?

EDIT: I think it is adjustable the only thing is i didnt realize it was 20 gauge capacity....
 
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steviejr92 said:
I have a woodward 24' metal brake this guy right here:

METAL BRAKE

I havent yet really messed with it to give you an answer on the adjustability but just looking at it i would say no?
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Just clamp it to the edge of the table.
I watched a video from this site. Looks like a pretty big bend radius.

Btw. - you have to measure your metal brake. You may have trouble making some bends.

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steviejr92 said:
I was looking that up and saw the same responses online so I should be ok there. Just a matter of getting some scrap and seeing how it will all work out.
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Cutting a thin strip the length of your blank, marking out all your bends and attempting to bend to your whole intended profile is usually a worthwhile step. It will let you validate your design and plan your bend sequence while wasting the least possible amount of material.
 
That’s exactly what I was thinking! Great tip! I’m going to do this with the bottom plate as well. As @temol mentioned I need to measure my brake before attempting those “close in proximity” bends. I might be able to get away with it but I have to see. If anything I’ll just redo the design I now have the formula so redoing it isn’t a problem. Plus the more and more I do it the more proficient I get with the program and end up finding new features and work flows.
 
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