topic Sheet metal - Flat pattern will not create in Inventor Forum

Sheet metal - Flat pattern will not create

nathanRE6G9 — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 13:43:19 GMT

This part will not flat pattern for me. I want this to be cut from flat sheet before being bent to form the coil shape.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Re: Sheet metal - Flat pattern will not create

kacper.suchomski — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 14:15:48 GMT

Faces are not perpendicular to each other.
The sheet thickness in the settings does not correspond to the thickness of the element (remember that the thickness is measured in the normal direction, so it will not be the thickness on the sketch - it is better to make a surface coil and thicken it).
Use Unwrap tool.

Re: Sheet metal - Flat pattern will not create

blandb — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 14:42:08 GMT

We have had good luck with flights by not using coil, but using a 3D sketch Helical curve, lofting the inside and outside curves together and then thickening. Then we can flatten it.

See attached 2024

Re: Sheet metal - Flat pattern will not create

SBix26 — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 00:25:52 GMT

Here's my contribution (2024 format), same technique as @blandb , but using your dimensions.

I see that you are using version 2024.1. You need to apply the 2024.3 update plus the .3.1 update. Autodesk fixes things and adds new functionality, but you can't take advantage of those unless you keep up to date.

Sam B

Inventor Pro 2025.1 | Windows 11 Home 23H2