How to print planar surface?

[oopisteinepoiss]

Hi, 

is there a way to print planar surface of any model in inventor 2012? I know that autocad is able to print planar surface, but inventor is much better to use.

Thanks

Mart

[JDMather]

I would say yes, but more information is needed.

Is this from an ipt or an idw or a dwg file?

Can you attach the file(s) here?

[oopisteinepoiss]

I selected steeringwheel file from computer. Is it possible to print its planar surace?

Mart

[JDMather]

In terms of CAD there were no "surfaces" in the file.

There is one Planar Face in the part, so I'm not sure of your true intent.

I suspect this is a language barrier that will simply require a few questions.

Are you trying to print 2D drawing on a sheet of paper?

Are you trying to get a flat pattern of the central portion of this wheel?

Are you trying to do a 3D print of the model?

[JDMather]

It there was a surface body in the part file it would be listed in the browser.

[oopisteinepoiss]

I would like to print 2D drawing of body in such way to be able to construct exactly same model from paper.

Mart

[jddickson]

I’m not 100% sure but I think oopisteinepoiss would like to be able to flatten out the model like in sheet metal. Print 1 to 1 scale and build the 3D model from paper. oopisteinepoiss is this correct?

[rjezuit]

Is he just saying to print out a drawing?

[oopisteinepoiss]

Yes jddickson, you are 100% correct.

[oopisteinepoiss]

I found a thred at http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showthread.php?58272-unfold-or-flatten-a-curved-surface, where JD Mather says that inventor can't do it. Thanks for answers.

[JDMather]

It sounds like to me the real problem description should have been written as,

"I would like to have Inventor generate a Flat Pattern of the hub and spokes of this steering wheel."

Two problems

- this is an assembly of 2 parts, the hub/spokes and the wheel.  It is not modeled correctly as an assembly.
- the hub/spokes are not modeled correctly for Design for Manufacturability.  If modeled "correctly", Inventor might be able to generate the flat pattern (unless the design intent is for the metal to be "deep-drawn" stretched.

If DFM was considered in the design, I think this one is easily do-able in Inventor.

But it would have to be remodeled correctly.

After examining it a bit more I notice the curvature to the spokes - Inventor will not be able to flatten that, a 3rd party software would be needed.  In any case, it is my opinion that the spokes (Loft feature) are not modeled correctly.  And overall - more work done than really needed to make this geometry (obvious example, WorkAxis6 is a dulplication of the Z-axis.)