topic Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors) in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

bernard5BABD — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 23:15:31 GMT

I have this project of a boat hull, intended to be built using the stich and glue method, so all surfaces are developable.

Problem is, I tried everything I could think of to transform each surface into a sheet metal (thickening then extruding straight on a few centimeters), I always have an error saying that it can't calculate the thickness. Is there any other way to get those parts' shapes on a flat surface, to be able to cut them ?

Thanks for your help and advices,
Bernard

Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

jhackney1972 — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 18:54:49 GMT

I think the Forum users will need your model to make a final assessment, please attach it. I have my doubts the compound curves of your design can be adapted to sheet metal for flattening but the model will help to determine if it is feasible. If you do not know how to attach your Fusion 360 model follow these easy steps. Open the model in Fusion 360, select the File menu, then Export and save as a F3D or F3Z file to your hard drive. Then use the Attachments section, of a forum post, to attach it.

Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

davebYYPCU — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 19:44:55 GMT

Export to Meshmixer as a surface.

Save each body as STL

Use Meshmixer > Unwrap.

Save the result as STL,

Import to Fusion and trace it.

Might help.....

Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

TrippyLighting — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 22:49:23 GMT

@davebYYPCU wrote:

Export to Meshmixer as a surface.

Save each body as STL

Use Meshmixer > Unwrap.

Save the result as STL,

Import to Fusion and trace it.

Might help.....

For a developable surface that should not be necessary.

Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

bernard5BABD — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 22:52:44 GMT

I have no intent to include Meshmixer in my workflow for this, sorry. BTW, I have not tried, but I doubt I can export a surface as STL. Have you done this ?

Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

TrippyLighting — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 22:55:59 GMT

Please don't us the quick reply function at the bottom of each thread. It makes it often difficult to discern whom you are responding to.

I have exported surfaces as .stl files many times, but not for use in Meshmixer.

It would help if you can share the model.

Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

bernard5BABD — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 22:58:54 GMT

Ha, did not realize this.

The model is not "clean", as there are many trial and errors in it. I sent a picture of it. I'll see if I have some time tomorrow to clean it.

Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

bernard5BABD — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 23:01:08 GMT

I will send the model, but need to "clean it" before. There are NO compound curves in this model, even if it may look like it.

Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

davebYYPCU — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 23:03:06 GMT

I (we) have no way to establish you do have a developable surface, for those that are not, the Meshmixer routine was an option.

Might help....

Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

davebYYPCU — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 23:05:11 GMT

When you send a clean model, will it still have the same problem?

Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

bernard5BABD — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 23:08:32 GMT

Sometimes, it's a good idea to believe what the user says, rather than questioning his ability to know what he is saying/doing. They ARE developable surfaces, here is a section view, which I can move on the whole length, it shows straight lines everywhere.

Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

bernard5BABD — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 23:09:19 GMT

obviously YES

Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

bernard5BABD — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 23:16:21 GMT

I did attach the model to my first post.

Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

davebYYPCU — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 23:18:09 GMT

Likewise.

Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

bernard5BABD — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 23:25:13 GMT

It might work, I have not tested the Meshmixer trick. But, IMHO, it's "below" Fusion. This is a feature which should be part of Fusion. Those surfaces are NOT compoud curves, they are "twisted" surfaces. A stich and glue boat is built out of multiply (flat, obviously) panels. In fact, from my point of view, I should be able to directly use nesting to prepare those panels to be CNC cut.

Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

jhackney1972 — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 23:30:45 GMT

The model file you have attached can only be opened using the an Insider Edition of Fusion 360. It cannot be open using the current public Fusion 360 license version. The next Fusion 360 version is supposed to be released some time in March, 2023.

Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

TrippyLighting — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 23:43:21 GMT

I agree that these are developable surfaces. It's still possible that Fusion 360 refuses to flatten them. I was not able to open the model :

Edit:

I have previously only done some quick studies, which filed to flatten. I never took the time why they did not work.

The Side faces of you boat are indeed twisted at both ends, and that is likely the reason the cannot be flattened.

to flatten a sheet metal body in Fusion 360 the surface needs to have a flat surface attached to it that tangentially "flows" into the actual surface.

This curved surface looks somewhat similar to a side face of your boat:

And flattens fine:

The twist at both ends off your boats surfaces do not allow to extend a flat surface.

That unfortunately is Fusion 360's limitation.

Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

bernard5BABD — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 23:32:46 GMT

Sorry, forgot I was on the insider version. I'll see if I can switch to the current standard version.

Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

bernard5BABD — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 23:41:00 GMT

Insider version, sorry. I'll try to use the standard current one - just attached a file exported from the standard current version.

Re: How to project / flatten developable surfaces in Fusion ? (Sheet metal errors)

TheCADWhisperer — Sun, 19 Mar 2023 23:41:26 GMT

@bernard5BABD wrote:
Those surfaces are NOT compound curves, they are "twisted" surfaces.

Fusion is limited to unfolding sheet metal planar faces connected with cylindrical or conical bends (not twisted unless modeled with the Loft Flange tool).

Fusion also has a limitation usually requiring at least a tiny planar face to unfold from.

You might try Autodesk Inventor Professional for this Design Intent.