How to put a hole in a curved piece?

[larzlorocks]

In the attached file I have a curved piece of sheet metal made with the contour flange tool. All I want to do is put a hole in the center of the sheet.

Thanks for your help!

[blair · Accepted solution]

You should post the version you are on, saves people downloading your file and producing a solution to your problem that you wouldn't be able to open and view.

Just create a work-plane from one straight end edge to the other. Project your side edges, create a construction line from middle side to middle side and place your circle center point on the middle of the line.

[JDMather]

Actually, your question might be more complex than you realize (or than the "solution" Blair led you to).

There are more considerations on a sheet metal part.

Do you want the hole to be round in the flat or in the folded part (can't be both)?

When will the hole be made - before or after the part is rolled.

Usually the hole does not need to be perfectly round in the rolled part, so it is drilled or punched in the flat.

In that case, click Unfold (follow the prompts) create the Hole feature and then Refold.

If you need the hole to be perfectly round in the rolled part - it becomes just a bit more complex.
Again, when will the hole be added to the part.

If added in the flat stage it will not be circular - so will need to be punched, burnt or water-jet cut.

The easiest way to do in Inventor is to trim a surface and then Thicken/Offset.  This will also return the shape you need in the flat pattern.

A final option is the hole is made after rolling (in the actual manufacturing process - so no hole in the flat pattern).

If that is what you are after, post back for solution.

[larzlorocks]

Huh, you're completely right. The hole will be made after the sheet is bent so that it is completely circular and will allow a cylinder to be put in. At this point the radius doesn't really matter.