topic Re: Export flat pattern step file in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Export flat pattern step file

gghPUT48 — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:09:05 GMT

Hi,

how do I generate a flat pattern in step file format from a Fusion 360 sheet metal 3D model? This is needed as input for the milling machine to cut the contour in the flat metal sheet. There is a complicated process described in the forum, involving generating and exporting a dxf, re-import it and more error-prone stuff - Is there a more simple way to do this? Perhaps something which updates automatically if the original 3D model is updated?

Re: Export flat pattern step file

jhackney1972 — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:19:27 GMT

The video will show the process. A STEP is independent of any model it is created from and will not dynamically update.

(view in My Videos)

Re: Export flat pattern step file

jhackney1972 — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:43:04 GMT

If my Forum post solved your question, please select the "Accept Solution" icon to do three things. First it allows others to find a solution to a similar question, two, it closes the Forum post and last, it acknowledges that you accept the solution given. If you need further help, please ask.

Re: Export flat pattern step file

TrippyLighting — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:45:32 GMT

To elaborate a little on @jhackney1972's post, any export is always static and will not automatically update when the original file is altered.

Re: Export flat pattern step file

HughesTooling — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 15:13:49 GMT

@gghPUT48 Be careful using unfold as they are not always accurate. If you use Derive you can export a flat pattern to another file then export as a STP file.

Mark

Re: Export flat pattern step file

HughesTooling — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 15:17:29 GMT

@gghPUT48 wrote:

Hi,

how do I generate a flat pattern in step file format from a Fusion 360 sheet metal 3D model? This is needed as input for the milling machine to cut the contour in the flat metal sheet.

Is there a more simple way to do this? Perhaps something which updates automatically if the original 3D model is updated?

If you're going to create your toolpaths in Fusion then Derive method is even better because the part is still linked to the original. Just derive the part out and create the toolpaths in the derived design.

Mark

Re: Export flat pattern step file

TrippyLighting — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 15:45:18 GMT

@HughesTooling wrote:

...Be careful using unfold as they are not always accurate. ...

Can you elaborate on that?

Re: Export flat pattern step file

HughesTooling — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 15:52:11 GMT

There are some notes somewhere also in Inventor's help about 3 corner reliefs not being modeled correctly so the unfold is not correct but flat patterns are.

Mark

Re: Export flat pattern step file

TrippyLighting — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 16:18:14 GMT

Ahh, so its really a sheet metal specific concern and not a general modeling concern.

Re: Export flat pattern step file

HughesTooling — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 16:28:51 GMT

@TrippyLighting Here's a simple example. Tried search in the help but couldn't find anything.

Unfold on the left, flat pattern on the right. File's attached.

Re: Export flat pattern step file

HughesTooling — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 16:35:22 GMT

@TrippyLighting Looks like it's 2 and 3 corner bends. And here's the difference in a 3 corner bend.