topic Re: Converting solid part with cutouts to sheet metal in Inventor Forum

Converting solid part with cutouts to sheet metal

rick_jenkinson — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 02:37:44 GMT

TLDR: I cant make flat pattern from part with cutouts Crossing the bend line.

Hey all, I am new to Inventor but have around 10 years of background in CAD using Solidworks. Recently I have run into a problem that I don't know to solve specifically using Inventor. The below image is of a simple part that has a bent section, however, the cutouts shown cross the bend line. There are a few ways to solve this in SW but none of those approaches seem to work with Inventor. The only way I have managed to generate a flat pattern is to insert the cutouts after the part has been converted to sheet metal. I don't really like this approach as I do a lot of Multi body work, so it really breaks my workflow. I have attached a step of the part.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Re: Converting solid part with cutouts to sheet metal

IgorMir — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 03:14:54 GMT

Hi Rick,

Without diving into a deep end of pool here is a sheet metal part you are after. IV2020 format.

Cheers,

Igor.

Re: Converting solid part with cutouts to sheet metal

rick_jenkinson — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 19:36:14 GMT

Thank you for that. I can see you imported the part as a surface, thickened the 1 face, and then flanged the rest which is great to know! Are there other ways to handle this without the part being imported as a surface? Even though this method works it requires re-importing a component that's made from a multi-body, is there a way to create this part as a sheet metal from that start point? Cheers

Re: Converting solid part with cutouts to sheet metal

Frederick_Law — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 20:50:47 GMT

The STEP is from Inventor 2023.

Do you have the Inventor file?

There is no "bend" in the model. Front and back of the "bend" are sharp.

Some edges are not 90deg exactly.

The cuts are not normal to sheet.

2 ways to fix it. 01 is the long way which will work better.

02 is a fast way but you can see the flat is not good.

IV 2023.3.1 files.

Re: Converting solid part with cutouts to sheet metal

rick_jenkinson — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 21:39:02 GMT

Sorry, I clicked as to what was happening and what Inventor needed for this work but that you for your insight. The idea for this was how to make a useable part from something sub-par which is why its modeled in a rough way. Should have mentioned that before but thanks I will work through your solutions

Re: Converting solid part with cutouts to sheet metal

Frederick_Law — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 21:49:36 GMT

Learn and use all the sheet metal features in Inventor.

They don't behave the same as SolidWorks.

You need to know your tools before you can use them to do any repair.

And forget everything about SW when you use IV.

You need different mind set when using different CAD.

Re: Converting solid part with cutouts to sheet metal

rick_jenkinson — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 21:52:13 GMT

I have only been using Inventor for a few months so I am coming to realise how different I need to think compared to SolidWorks! Thanks for the advice!

Re: Converting solid part with cutouts to sheet metal

Frederick_Law — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 21:58:06 GMT

I used IV since R1 to 2023.

SW form 2005 jump to 2016-2020.

And I'll do everything to avoid SolidDoesn'tWorks 😜

Re: Converting solid part with cutouts to sheet metal

rick_jenkinson — Thu, 17 Aug 2023 22:02:54 GMT

I won't lie there are definitely fewer errors to compete with in Inventor but I am missing some QOL stuff from SW! But like you said its about how you think about the tools you have, I need to stop thinking "How do I do this with SW tools" and start thinking "How do I do this with IV tools"