I converted Ipt to sheet metal.
During conversion Inventor asked to update thickness in Sheet Metal Styles for proper unfolding.
In Sheet Metal Defaults I changed thickness to proper one.
I am putting the part on paper and the flat patern option is grayed out, the only way I can put it on paper is folded model which I dont want.
Any ideas hot to flatten the panel on paper so I can make CNC file of it?
Thanks.
Solved! Go to Solution.
Solved by rjay75. Go to Solution.
I clicked on Flat panel, Inventor thought a bit then created "flat pattern" that looks exacly same like the primary part - not flat, still bent.
Check that the part you're trying to flatten has a uniform thickness throughout the part and has properly radiused corners instead of sharp corners. Also make sure the Thickness parameter is set to the actual thickness of the part.
I set the proper thickness, and it is uniform.
Corners are not radiused or filleted though, can you elaborate on that?
Attached is an image illustrating the corners. The corners of the lower part has an inner and outer radius that enables a uniform thickness to be maintained along the part. This radiused section is used to locate bends in a part to flatten it.
The upper part just has a sharp corner. The distance from point to point is greater than the thickness of the material making it have a non-uniform thickness so it can't unfold the part.
In case of the panel (picture attached) one end is mitered and the shape is rectangular with no radiuses.
What does it require to be flattened?
Probably the miter needs to be removed?
Thanks.
If that is just a curved panel it should be able to be flattened. Check the Sheet Metal Rules and Unfold Rules for settings that apply to the material Thickness. When it is flattened watch what side is selected for flattening or the part may be undersized because of the mitre.
Right side end does not appear to be cut perpendicular to the "flat" face - that may or may not be a problem.
Shears, plasma. laser, waterjet normally cut perpendicular to the flat (unless you have swiveling head).
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Thats what I said, what side is mittered, cut @ 45deg.
Will have to try with this feature supressed.
Click on the face before clicking Flat Pattern.
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Can you upload just the single part?
Got it to unfold to a flat pattern.
Had to suppress the emboss on it first though.
But the thickness parameter is set to 0.75 in. The part thickness is actually 0.747969.... in To set the thickness correctly I created a sketch on the edge of the part so I can see the profile of the curved part. Placed a reference dimension between the two curves. Then I set the Thickness parameter to equal the reference parameter. It then unfolded as it should.
I need it unfolded with embossed pattern so I can make a CNC file.
Thats not good news.
It should be able to unfold with the emboss pattern unsupressed. For some reason on my machine I couldn't get the part to reorder and display without the emboss locking up my machine. So I suppressed it first.
The main thing is the thickness parameter has to exactly match the true thickness of the part.