Define the Direction of a Composite Sheet

You can define the longitudinal direction and the direction of the surface material of a plate structured part. The latitudinal and thickness directions of the plate are defined at the same time. The direction of the plate structure affects the sheet data collected in the parts list. The preform dimensions of a composite sheet are calculated directly according to the overall dimensions of the plate, taking the direction of the plate into consideration.

If the first draft of a composite sheet has been drawn on the horizontal (XY) plane, the X direction of the draft is the longitudinal direction of the sheet (plate direction). Thus, you need not redefine the longitudinal direction.

If you want to redefine the direction of the composite sheet, the sheet opens in a separate window where the longitudinal direction of the sheet is indicated with a green arrow. You can define the new longitudinal direction of the sheet by turning the direction to a specific angle, for example 90 degrees, or by selecting two points from the model. The selected direction is updated in the drawing.

Define the direction of the composite sheet as follows:

1. Select the part. In an assembly, select a part for editing.
2. Select the context-sensitive Rendering> Plate Direction function.
3. Define the longitudinal direction of the sheet in the dialog box.
   • Select the direction by clicking the angle button, for example 90.
   • If you want to select the direction from the sheet with two points, select Select Location Points.
4. Select OK.