Autodesk Inventor

[#1]

Before using Inventor I used Mechanical Desktop 6 and found the sheet metal functions (AutoSm) to be fairly simple. Since switching over small tasks can now be a nightmare! The main problem I face is exporting flat patterns to dxf format. We use a CNC Turret punch so splined corners on parts are a no-no due to the number of hits required, AutoSM solved this with the 'Apply Smooth' function which created crisp corners suitable for punching. Is there any simlar function available on Inventor? At the minute I either have to apply multiple cut and extrusions to the flat pattern or else 2D modify the dxf file.

Thanks

[#2]

What version of Inventor are you using?

Can you attach a sample Inventor file here?

[#3]

Hi I am using Inventor 2013, also have attached a file to demonstrate

[#4]

The part is not made correctly as a sheet metal part  (Extrusion1 is not the correct way to cut this).

So two issues will have to be addressed - modeling the part correctly and getting output of splines as circular arc curves.

I know how to fix the first issue, seems to me they added functionality for the second issue (the original reason for your posting), but I have not investigated that so this will be my first attempt.  I hope my memory isn't faulty on the second issue.

Back in a while, maybe someone else will jump in here in the meantime.

[#5]

Thanks but what is the correct way to create that cut? Also outputting splines as circular arc curves still doesnt fix my problem completely. Ideally the output dxf should have an end profile like the attached (this is essentially the same folding with Apply smooth used on MD6)

[#6]

It might have been chords (straight lines) that was thinking of.
I think there is a setting to have Inventor turn the spline into chords of a length you specify.

[#7]

The way you made the cut would not be correct in an CAD program as the cut edges are not perpendicular to the flat face.

I will post an example of how it should have been done.

If you view the flat in wireframe mode there should be only one edge (at indicated locations).

The spline problem occurs where there is a cut across an angled bend (yellow arrow).

[#8]

Sketch3 - you have extra dimensions.  Use Equal Constraints.
I have never used Zeor(o) dimensions since leaving MDT 10 years ago - use Project Geometry and Coincident Constrraints.

[#9]

Check out this part (of course you would set up with your Excel parameters) and then we can move on to the second part of the problem.

[#10]

Notice that there are no double lines on that mitered end.