topic How to use a 3d geometry to create many sheet metal parts in Inventor Forum

How to use a 3d geometry to create many sheet metal parts

FilipeMais — Wed, 07 May 2025 07:37:36 GMT

Hello everybody,

Considering the following 3D geometry in Fig 1, is there any tool or method that I can use to create 4 sheet metal parts to build an assembly like that one in Fig2?

I need to design it with the most precision possible and with the usual tool I am not getting the best results.

Fig 1Fig 2

Thanks in advance.

All the best,

Filipe

Re: How to use a 3d geometry to create many sheet metal parts

kacper.suchomski — Tue, 06 May 2025 15:26:39 GMT

For example Contour flange.

You need two parts and two instances of each part.

Re: How to use a 3d geometry to create many sheet metal parts

JDMather — Tue, 06 May 2025 21:14:34 GMT

@FilipeMais

Derive each Component as Surface Body.

Thicken the desired surface.

(Of course you must have appropriate Fillets for the Bends.)

Re: How to use a 3d geometry to create many sheet metal parts

johnsonshiue — Wed, 07 May 2025 01:24:47 GMT

Hi! Yes, JD's approach is indeed the reliable workflow to create a sheet metal part from non-sheet metal solid body. As he mentioned, you need to round off the edges so that the flanges don't overlap. Please try it out and see if it works for you.

Many thanks!

Re: How to use a 3d geometry to create many sheet metal parts

FilipeMais — Wed, 07 May 2025 07:35:10 GMT

Dear @JDMather and @johnsonshiue,

Thanks for your answers.

Following your suggestions and considering the 3D geometry part shown before, I created Solid2 to represent a sheet metal of 3mm.

In detail: I defined a sketch in each surface, made an extrusion and a loft for the bendings following a rail with a allowable radius of 5mm.

Check the figures bellow and the part .ipt file attached.

Fig. 1)

Fig.2)

Fig.3)

Did I understood correctly your idea?

I thought it would be easier like what I did few years ago (and don't remember) in SolidEdge...

Thanks again.

Best regards,

Filipe

Re: How to use a 3d geometry to create many sheet metal parts

CCarreiras — Wed, 07 May 2025 09:45:56 GMT

Hi!

Since the part is not able to calculate the flat pattern, i can't say it's well done...

Seeing what you done, i can say you can do it a lot more easy.

Can you share the original file, and I'll show you how to do it?

Re: How to use a 3d geometry to create many sheet metal parts

FilipeMais — Wed, 07 May 2025 10:14:23 GMT

Hi @CCarreiras,

Thanks for your answer.

The example file created for the forum was attached previously but i can attach it again.

Best regards,

Filipe

Re: How to use a 3d geometry to create many sheet metal parts

CCarreiras — Wed, 07 May 2025 11:01:57 GMT

Do this for both parts:

(view in My Videos)

Using the tool "MAKE COMPONENTS", Select the two SM parts (They are in the Solid Bodies folder in the browser, or select in the work area) and create an assembly.

(Link sheet metal styles)

The result will be:

Re: How to use a 3d geometry to create many sheet metal parts

FilipeMais — Wed, 07 May 2025 11:22:43 GMT

WOWWW 😮

Fantastic!

Amazing fancy work, thanks for sharing, thanks to teach me.

Kindly,

Filipe

Re: How to use a 3d geometry to create many sheet metal parts

CCarreiras — Wed, 07 May 2025 11:58:02 GMT

Obrigado... sem problema...

Re: How to use a 3d geometry to create many sheet metal parts

Mario.VanWiechen — Wed, 07 May 2025 13:09:00 GMT

I create the internal shape of a chute, hopper etc as a solid. Then use each face of that solid to create a sheet metal parts using sheet metal tools.

Cannot believe so many people are recommending doing a sheet metal part and not using sheet metal tools. As I have discovered Inventor does know a lot about sheet metal, has taught me a few lessons. LOL

Re: How to use a 3d geometry to create many sheet metal parts

CCarreiras — Wed, 07 May 2025 13:23:18 GMT

That's ok to use some solid tools in sheet metal parts, if you use them wisely.
As an example, a THICKEN tool locked with the value "Thickness", is the same as face a SM FACE.

It's nor wrong to use any tool to achieve a goal, mainly is it's better and easier to get there.
...and If you get a flat pattern at the end (your goal), you done a real good job.

Re: How to use a 3d geometry to create many sheet metal parts

Mario.VanWiechen — Wed, 07 May 2025 13:28:02 GMT

@CCarreiras wrote:
That's ok to use some solid tools in sheet metal parts, if you use them wisely.
As an example, a THICKEN tool locked with the value "Thickness", is the same as face a SM FACE.

It's nor wrong to use any tool to achieve a goal, mainly is it's better and easier to get there.
...and If you get a flat pattern at the end (your goal), you done a real good job.

I do not disagree if the designer has lots of experience but it leads the beginner down the wrong path.

I see that so often in models where the use of sheet metal tools would have saved a lot of grief

Re: How to use a 3d geometry to create many sheet metal parts

CCarreiras — Wed, 07 May 2025 14:25:38 GMT

This is not a training center... it is a place where beginners and experienced users come to seek help, propose challenges, etc.

The question is not "experience" or "beginners".
The question is if the person had training or not.

I can see beginners, which had proper training and are ready to step up for new scenarios, and i can see experienced people (regarding the years of use) which learned by themselves and years later they still don't know how to use sheet metal tools.

So... when you are trying to help and give the best option, you don't know the level of the person that asked the question.

If you give a basic answer.... they can say...." Yeah yeah... i Know that ...duh-u"
If the answer is complex... They can say... "ufff... to complex to me"... and in that case we can step down, or point to a simple solution or even suggest some documentation to study.

The question is.... We never know....