New Tools for Your Tool Box

by Richard Williams
March 28, 2006

A review of lightweight sheet metal design tools by Ty Harness of the UK

It’s not often that some software does something exceedingly well and becomes a handy tool to own. One example is the work of Ty Harness of UK, who has created standalone applications for sheet metal design and manufacture. I was intrigued by the simplicity of these programs and their ability to obtain good results quickly. Typically, these software tools are different from the more complex applications found inside CAD environments.

Sheet metal is used throughout the building industries and many other industries as well, even toy makers. I have used other software for designing sheet metal parts that are stamped in or punched out that include bend marks, mitered corners and so many other things. At the moment Harness's software tools do not take the design all the way from concept to manufacture but you do not need the power of big and expensive software to produce patterns and templates. One benefit is that smaller applications are easier to learn compared to a full CAD system.

Harness plans a group of six applications for sheet metal shapes, forms and variations of them, such as conical sections, offsets, segmental bends, square to round and other adaptations. "Square-to-round and segmental bends are ready to go at the moment," says Harness. "I'm currently working on right and oblique cones. The pattern development of the oblique cone is often under estimated where the true lengths are difficult to visualize unless someone has shown you the secrets of pattern drafting. I've had many requests for square-to-square hoppers and just parallel connection pieces both circular and square -- so I'll have a go at those next. Then I fancy something a little more ornamental for fun, maybe hexagon to hexagon twisted through some angle. There's great deal of work to do that's why I have released these smaller applications, otherwise I would never finish the project. The ultimate aim is then to bring all the modules into one improved user interface."

Using the software is unlike a CAD system where you pick drawing tools to create your design. This software allows you to enter the design dimensions and see instantly the effect of the parameter change. You get an instant visual feedback of what you inputted. When you are satisfied with what you want, you send that information to a printer or plotter to obtain your template for the shop men.

Alternatively, you can use the list of pattern point vertices to transfer to the material manually. There's a DXF output in 2D and 3D to allow CAD operators to extend the design or include into an assembly drawing.

Also, the software can export a DXF file with a continuous 2D poly line of the pattern. This is ideal for transference to CADCAM applications, like JetCAM.

For more information, visit www.tyharness.co.uk/sheetmetal

Typical User Interface link is shown here: 

The software is available for trial at either The CAD Depot (www.caddepot.com) or Free CAD Apps (www.freecadapps.com) and more specific download links can be found at http://www.tyharness.co.uk/sheetmetal/#100

Conclusion

Easy to use is actually an understatement and it is even fun to play with to see what kinds of weird shapes you can come up with, meaning you do not necessarily need to be a sheet metal worker to use the software. Nevertheless, this is already a mature piece of software that can only get better and is an asset to any sheet metal shop.

About the Author

A resident of Las Vegas, Richard Williams, has served a long career in the electrical construction industry. He was inspired by the late Joe Greco to write about CAD software.

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