Part II: Building Intelligence into Your Parts
FIGURE 7.59The Flex PropertyManager interface
Figure 7.60 shows examples of each flex option using a model of a rubber grommet. The part
shown in the figure can be found on the CD-ROM with the filename Chapter 7 Flex.sldprt.In some cases, the triad and trim planes are slightly disoriented. The best thing to do in situations
like this is to simply reorient the triad using the angle numbers in the Triad panel of the
PropertyManager. This is also a solution if the planes are turned in such a way that the axis of
bending is not oriented to the bend that the part requires.The Flex feature is very conscious of separate bodies. In some cases this can be helpful, but in
default situations when there is only one body in the part, it can be annoying. Remember to select
the body to be affected in the very first selection box at the top of the PropertyManager.Tip
If you want to bend only one of the tabs on the grommet, then the best solution is to split the single body into
two bodies and flex only one of the bodies. The examples shown for twisting and stretching use this
technique.n
Cross-Reference
Splitting a single body into multiple bodies is covered in Chapter 26.n
You can place the trim planes by selecting a model vertex, by dragging the arrow on the plane, or
by typing in a number. Be careful when dragging the plane arrows because dragging the border of
the plane drags the flex value for the feature. (Dragging the plane in a bending operation is like
changing the angle or radius for the bend.)