Sheet metal, slots, general inquiry

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I am new to inventor. Recently I began a sudy of Mastering Autodesk Inventor and have made much progress in the last few weeks. However, I am stuck on a few problems. Firstly, the  component in question is attached. To create this I drew a spline and revolved it. I converted the object into sheet metal than created a plane above, sketched the slots and  projected them onto the object. After this I used the cut command. Is this a good method or is their an easier way to cut the slots? Now, I am eventually going to prototype this component so I am trying to think as many steps ahead as possible. I think to make this it would be best to draw and cut all the features (i.e slots) on a flat sheet of material than press this sheet into the meandering form. Is it posible to do this in inventor?

I am grateful for any guidance.

Jordan

[The_Angry_Elf]

You might want to look into the Punch command in Sheet Metal.

As minor as it might seem, you want to be sure the cut direction is perpendicular to the face you are cutting, otherwise you'll have "slanted" cuts and that could cause fit issues if that's an issue at all.

Make sure the part will flatten as well.

[JDMather]

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@Anonymous wrote:

.... Is it possible to do this in inventor?

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No.

[Anonymous]

Is it possible to do this in any other Autodesk program?

[JDMather]

Modeling the finished part is easy in Inventor.

But deforming a flat or forming flat from deformed (of that design) is not possible in Inventor.

If you need help modeling the finished part - attach your *.ipt file here.

[Anonymous]

Hi Jim,

It would be far to diffucult to cut the slots parallel to the surface since it's a sine wave. The material will be thin however. But, I tried to punch with no luck. Here's what I tried. First, I projected the sketch of the slots onto the surface than selected punch but got an error mesage saying "sketches placed on a work plane are invalid for this feature." Any idea how I could punch these slots into the membrane? If its not possible that's fine since I'm happy with the cut and can always fillet if need be.

Also, the part does flatten.

Thanks again for your help.

Jordan

[JDMather]

Attach your *.ipt file here.

[Anonymous]

Here is the ipt. file. The slots are already cut into r2.  I'd like to learn how to punch these slots from the projection if possible. I'm thinking a press die would cut the slots parallel to the surface but I don't know since I haven't contacted any manufactures to learn how this part would be made. Another issue. Notice in r2 there is a 3d sketch called Cover_plate. What I need to do is create a cover that follows the tappered slots. The rought arc projection at the top of the slots represents the path the cover plate will follow.  I'm not sure how it will fasten to the body by think welding or if I use plastic than some type of glue or ultrasonic weld. Anyway, I am just experimenting and the cover plate is the issue I am currently struggling to design. Any pointers would be appreciated.

Slowly learning. Thanks for your help, again.

Jordan

[JDMather]

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@Anonymous wrote:

...

Also, the part does flatten.

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I do not see a Flat Pattern in the file you attached.

...and, have you installed all Service Packs for your version of Inventor?

[Anonymous]

I had to remove several features in order to attach the file.

[JDMather]

Find the red End of Part marker at the bottom of the browser.

Drag the red EOP to the top of the feature tree hiding all features.

Save the file with the red EOP in a rolled up state.

Right click on the filename and select Send to Compressed (zipped) Folder.

Attach the resulting *.zip file here.

or

if still too large - upload it to Autodesk 360 and provide download url here.

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure about the service packs but will check. Preparing my file for upload at the moment.

[Anonymous]

I don't know 360 that well so let me know if this url works. I can share but
I need an address.

https://360.autodesk.com/#/Item/Details?id=6b032e8b980c45a6945579ecdc289dbd&
itemtype=File&tab=Default

[Anonymous]

Hey JD,

Were you able to access my file via the Autodesk 360 link? I have this strange problem. When viewing the membrane from afar there is a deformation in the last ripple. See image attached. It's not a big problem since I will be rebuliding this component but I wonder why this deformation appears. When I zoom in, it dissapears?

Jordan

[JDMather]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Hey JD,

Were you able to access my file via the Autodesk 360 link?

Jordan

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No.  It is always a good idea to try the url yourself after posting.
That does not appear to be a proper download link.

Try these steps, click on the page Actions -

The url should look similar to this one.

In the image you posted that could be a graphics anomaly - try exporting as STEP an translating back in and see if it is still there.

[Anonymous]

A360 link https://myhub.autodesk360.com/ue29e652f/shares/public/SHabee1QT1a327cf2b7a623bd9d7dce97011

Password is MMembrane

I converted the file into STEP than back but anomily still there.

[Anonymous]

If I delete 'Slot_r4_projection' the anomoly dissappears.

Jordan

[JDMather]

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oieuya wrote:

Also, the part does flatten.

Jordan

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Can you post a screen shot of your flattened "Flat Pattern"?

I still do not get a correct flat pattern from the file you uploaded to A360.

[Anonymous]

Screen shot of flat pattern as requested. I re-uploaded the file.

https://myhub.autodesk360.com/ue29e652f/shares/public/SHabee1QT1a327cf2b7a623bd9d7dce97011

[JDMather]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Screen shot of flat pattern as requested.

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How is that a "flat" pattern? 

Isn't a flat a planar object?

If this was my part I would figure out some clever way to use a Feature Pattern rather than all of that sketching.

But I haven't spent any time trying to figure out exaclty what that "clever way" might be since early on I indicated to you that you will never flatten this part (at least correctly) in Inventor.

Then you indicated that you have a flat pattern - but the image you posted is clearly not flat?