topic Re: Flat pattern from large bend radius solid in Inventor Forum

Flat pattern from large bend radius solid

Anonymous — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 18:51:50 GMT

Hi All, I am trying to make a flat pattern sheet metal part derived from a lofted 3D solid (see attached file). When I press the command the program simply reorients the part, resulting in no flat pattern or error messages to lend aid. I would prefer to do this starting with a sheet metal part instead of "make from" solid part. Thanks

Re: Flat pattern from large bend radius solid

JDMather — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 21:53:49 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
.... I would prefer to do this starting with a sheet metal part ...

Did you use Lofted Flange?

No file attached?

Re: Flat pattern from large bend radius solid

Anonymous — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 00:21:26 GMT

Yes, I can make the part using the lofted flange but one cannot save the flat pattern of a lofted flange. I did find a low precision work around that copies the surface geometry of the flat pattern produced but it's not ideal. Any other technique that allows saving of the flat pattern?

Re: Flat pattern from large bend radius solid

JDMather — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 11:41:56 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Yes, I can make the part using the lofted flange but one cannot save the flat pattern of a lofted flange.

That is incorrect information.

Of course the flat pattern can be saved.

Attach your *.ipt file here and end all doubt. (you might try attaching with a different browser)

Re: Flat pattern from large bend radius solid

Curtis_W — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 15:14:17 GMT

Link to duplicate thread:
http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/flat-pattern-not-working-for-curved-surfaces/td-p/6601529

Re: Flat pattern from large bend radius solid

Anonymous — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 16:23:21 GMT

This is the type of shape I'm trying to make.

It will not let me export the flat pattern as a .stl for manufacturing. Says I "must exit flat pattern edit mode to save" but I need the flat pattern geometry to go in my CNC router.

Re: Flat pattern from large bend radius solid

JDMather — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 18:32:11 GMT

Edit your Cut and change to Normal or the cuts will not be perpendicular to the flat.

To get the Flat Pattern as an stl will require two steps.

Right click on the Flat Pattern node in the browser and Save As type *.sat.

Open the *.sat and Save Copy as *.stl.

But I am surprised that your CNC router uses stl. Stl is faceted triangles that I would expect to cause problems for a router path.

Re: Flat pattern from large bend radius solid

Anonymous — Wed, 05 Oct 2016 18:33:57 GMT

Thanks! That method worked for the part I posted! Now I am having trouble editing cuts to "normal" in the attached file.

The router takes Gcode from "Meshcam" which needs a .stl file to set-up.