Working with Sheet Metal

[SeanFarr]

I have started a new thread for this issue, the part I initially uploaded here was not the correct.

Old post Link http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Autodesk-Inventor/Sheet-Metal-Door-Inventor-vs-General-Rule-of-Thumb-M...

The part I need/want is attached and those are the correct parameters. In folded state outside dimensions are 2.5"x1.25"x1"    1/8 material.  When I unfold blank size is 45"x4.25"

The issue I am now having is how do I create the the cut-outs, the attached gives me an error when I try and cut the sketched rectangles.

Part background, this part is the top and bottom section of a door frame/jam, there would be 2 other peices, a left and a right with a similar dimensions. The center knotch is to allow the doors to close and latch together. image attached as well for clarification.

Thanks

Note: the linked post contains info that I used to create the sheet metal parts, kfactor and such.

[Lance127]

Put the sketch for the cut outs on the face you would like to cut.

[SeanFarr]

please bear with me, I have attached the same part with the sketch in the face I want to cut. After cutting, an error occurs, and the flat pattern is not functioning. because the cut is affecting the bend in those 3 cut

sections?

Thanks

[mrattray]

That's not really the best way to build that part. Here's a couple of alternative methods attached. I'm not terribly happy with them myself, maybe somebody will come along and post a better way to do it. At least this should get you moving in the right direciton though.

[jletcher]

Here Like This

[Lance127]

Sorry, I misunderstood where the cuts woould end. What I said just wont work id the cut is all the way across that bottom flange.

You could follow Mike's example in Test.ipt.

The way we do something like there would be to put a small notch (0.1x0.1) on the initial face where we wanted the cutouts to be, that way when you apply a flange it leaves out the area you do not need. This also makes it so the shop guys don't measure to a bend line, they use the notch that is cut into the sheet metal to line up the press brake.

[jletcher · Accepted solution]

Or this

[mrattray]

How did you project that flange up? I tried using project flat pattern in my example, but I kept geting an error about my "legacy unfold rule".

[jletcher]

Not sure what you are asking I used project flat pattern in sketch mode. I can't open your parts here so I can't see error you are getting. I uninstalled 2013 on test machine could not stand the crap...

[mrattray]

I was asking if there's another button you used, but sounds like you used the same button I was trying to use. It must be a problem on my machine. 

Actually, it works fine on my own parts. It must just be something to do with his styles or something.

[jletcher]

Oh if you tried it on his part it will not work because his is all messed up. The way he cut the flange is stopping it from working if you delete his cuts it should work for you.

[SeanFarr]

Thanks guys! from these examples, I should be able to get the part I need.

Sean

[SeanFarr]

mrattray: inregards to your message #4

Sorry this is my fault, I forgot to put in opening, that I am using inventor pro 2012. I can't open your files. I would still like to see them, but don't bother if it is a pain.

Thanks

[mrattray]

This is the error.

This is what I was working on, I had already deleted all of his crap (no offense, OP) and redrew it. I was trying to project that bent piece down to avoid using a linear dimnension like I did.

[mrattray]

Here's a 2012 version of one of them. The other was similar to jletchers, so I won't redraw it.

By the way, project flat pattern worked for me in 2012. It must be something else they ruined in 2013. 🙂

[jletcher]

Try to delete the flat pattern 1st this error is related to that not the project flat pattern option . Also you should use offset for then ends. I hardly use contour flange.

[mrattray]

I did delete and recreate the flat pattern. Twice.

The one I didn't redraw because it was similar to yours, I drew with offset flanges. I just wanted to give him a couple of different approaches. I think wether or not to use contour flange really has to do with the type of parts that the user typicaly make. You couldn't survive drawing for my shop without contour flange, but I very rarely use flange (I almost never use cut to shape my own exterior profiles). Most of my parts are rolled or simple L or pan shapes.