Tempus Tools reads 3D models of tubes and structural profiles, works out the profile type and size, and matches each part to your materials. This article lists what it can read today. We will add more profile types over time.
Supported profiles
Closed profiles
Square
Rectangle
Circle
Flat-sided oval
Corners can be sharp or have a radius.
Open profiles
Angles (equal or unequal)
U channels (also called C channels, as long as the flanges have no lips)
I-beams (also called H-beams)
T-beams
How each profile is measured
Sizes are shown as width first, then height. Circles show their diameter.
Profile | Width | Height | Thickness |
Angle | One leg | The other leg | One thickness for both legs |
U channel | The web: the back that joins the two sides | The flanges: the two parallel sides | One thickness |
I-beam | The flanges (top and bottom) | The full depth, from the outside of one flange to the outside of the other | Two thicknesses: the web thickness, then the flange thickness |
T-beam | The top of the T | The full height, including the top | One thickness for both the top and the stem |
Other software may name or orient these shapes differently. An H-beam is an I-beam turned on its side, and a C channel is a U channel turned on its side. Tempus Tools reads either.
Rules for beams
I-beams: both flanges must be the same thickness. The web can be the same thickness as the flanges or thinner, but not thicker.
T-beams: the top and the stem must be the same thickness.
Tapered flanges (flanges that get thicker towards the web) are not supported. The part shows as Not recognised.
If a beam breaks one of these rules, the upload screen shows a message explaining why it can't be quoted.
Warning: angles and channels that could be folded sheet metal
Tempus Tools checks every 3D model to decide whether it is sheet metal or a tube. If an angle or U channel has the same wall thickness all the way round a bent corner (an inside radius with a matching outside radius), it could have been folded from flat sheet. It is then treated as sheet metal: unfolded and priced as a flat part, not as a tube.
Angles and channels with sharp corners, or with a rounded outside corner and a sharp inside corner, are read as tube.
Files you can upload
All popular 3D formats, including STEP (.step, .stp), IGES (.igs, .iges), SolidWorks parts (.sldprt), Inventor parts (.ipt) and Parasolid (.x_t).
Single parts, assemblies, multi-body files and mesh files are all accepted.
You can upload through either button: Upload Tube models or Unfold 3D models. Both use the same engine, so tube parts and sheet metal parts are recognised whichever one you use.
Not supported yet
Tubes or profiles with a bend, for example an L-shaped tube
Solid bar
Beams with tapered flanges
Lipped C channels. If one is quoted as a U channel, the lips are ignored, so the weight and cutting length will be wrong.
Other profile shapes, for example hexagonal tube or custom extrusions
Good to know
Parts are matched to your material lengths automatically when the profile size and thickness are within 2%. You can also choose the material yourself, and override the profile type and size.
Surface area for finishing processes such as powder coating is calculated from the profile. Mitred or notched ends are not subtracted.
Your cutting technology's maximum profile diameter applies to every profile. See Creating your Rotary process.