"Topology belongs to more than one bend" Error

[sltyler]

Hi all,

I'm getting an error when trying to flat pattern some sheet metal: !Definition1: Could not build this FlatPattern > !Topology belongs to more than one bend.

I created the part as a standard part, extruded it to 14 gauge mild steel thickness (0.0747") and I'm using a bend radius of 0.1"-- which corresponds to our press brake. Everything looks great, but when I convert to sheet metal and attempt to create a flat pattern, I get that error.

I should mention, I'm using Modify>Bend Part for my bends. Any help is appreciated!

I'll attach the part,

[Anonymous]

Did you try using "fold" instead of bend part?

[sltyler]

I haven't used that operation before, but I will give it a go and report back. Thanks

[sltyler]

Hmm, Inventor isn't allowing me to select the bend line. Any thoughts?

[sltyler]

Ah, got it, the line didn't terminate at the face edges.

[Anonymous]

Even still, if possible the best way to do this would be to model it as a formed sheet metal part and then flatten it.

I'm not sure why you need to flatten the part since you built it as an already flat part in the first place, couldn't you just use that flat you started with?

[sltyler]

The original sketch doesn't account for bend deduction, so I model it in Inventor and then export as a .dxf to get the proper flat pattern.

[Anonymous]

Oh, well the "fold" command will fold the part, but your flat pattern will be the same size as what you put in.

[Anonymous]

I edited the last 2 bends to get it to work.

[sltyler]

Interesting. It looks like the bend reliefs are coming out oval. in the flat pattern. Does that seem unusual? Thanks for all the help, by the way! I still have lots to learn with Inventor, so all of this information is valuable to me.

[JDMather · Accepted solution]

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@sltyler wrote:
Interesting. It looks like the bend reliefs are coming out oval. in the flat pattern. Does that seem unusual?

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You can set them to whatever (standard) shape you need, but I would start over on this part and model it as a folded sheet metal part.  I certainly wouldn't use Bend Part feature as that is not a sheet metal feature.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

No, it seems right that the corner reliefs, which were originally drawn as circles, would elongate since it's then factoring the bend. BTW, the model I had sent before, though it flattened, it didn't have the same width as it used to. I made the reliefs wider in this one. That fixed the problem all the way.

Also, I agree with JDMather that you should model this as an already folded part and then flatten it.

[sltyler]

Alright, looks like I have some work ahead of me then. Thanks for the help guys.