topic Re: SOLID TO SURFACE in Inventor Forum

SOLID TO SURFACE

AlejandroAvila01 — Wed, 17 May 2023 16:52:15 GMT

I'm currently designing a chute for a bucket elevator, and normally I would do a surface skeleton and then project faces to make sheet metal pieces.

This chute is kind of hard to do it by extruded surfaces, so I tried to do it solid then convert to surface but couldn't find the way to.

Do you have a solution for this?

Re: SOLID TO SURFACE

swalton — Wed, 17 May 2023 16:59:45 GMT

I'd try the Delete Face command. Pick a face that you will leave open in the actual chute.

If you don't like that command, you could use the Thicken/Offset command and a 0.000 offset dimension.

Re: SOLID TO SURFACE

AlejandroAvila01 — Wed, 17 May 2023 17:08:23 GMT

That's not quite what i was looking for but it turned my piece into a surface, so it works.

Take your "accept solution" wise man.

Re: SOLID TO SURFACE

89198826955 — Wed, 17 May 2023 18:07:48 GMT

you can build a surface using a 3d sketch

Re: SOLID TO SURFACE

89198826955 — Wed, 17 May 2023 18:13:59 GMT

create working points at the top

create a closed loop using a 3d sketch

create a surface

stitching surfaces

get the result

Re: SOLID TO SURFACE

89198826955 — Wed, 17 May 2023 18:38:50 GMT

add geometry

Re: SOLID TO SURFACE

SBix26 — Wed, 17 May 2023 21:48:52 GMT

You want to make that form out of sheet metal? Which side(s) are open? Can you attach a photo of something similar that already exists? Can you attach your attempt here? I suspect there is a relatively easy way to do what you're asking.

Sam B

Inventor Pro 2024 | Windows 10 Home 22H2

Re: SOLID TO SURFACE

AlejandroAvila01 — Wed, 17 May 2023 22:02:00 GMT

You want to make that form out of sheet metal?

Yes, I want to use it as a skeleton to make my sheet metal parts easier.

Which side(s) are open?

I don't think that really matters but attached is a picture showing how. As I replied before, deleting faces would make my piece a surface so that was really what I was looking for.
Can you attach a photo of something similar that already exists?

Attached 1. You'll see that there's a surface that I modeled so I can project edges and create sheet metal pieces.
Can you attach your attempt here?

Attached 2

att 1

att 2

Re: SOLID TO SURFACE

SBix26 — Wed, 17 May 2023 23:10:47 GMT

I mean can you attach your Inventor file here so I don't have to make up my own dimensions? What version of Inventor are you using?

How many individual parts will make up this piece?

It looks as if you have found a pretty good technique, so I will probably not add any valuable insights, but I still like to try my hand at interesting models!

Sam B

Inventor Pro 2024 | Windows 10 Home 22H2

Re: SOLID TO SURFACE

AlejandroAvila01 — Wed, 17 May 2023 23:26:05 GMT

I mean can you attach your Inventor file here so I don't have to make up my own dimensions? What version of Inventor are you using?

It'll be somewhat difficult as there are several pieces in the assembly and I'm only allowed to attach maximum 3 files.

Currently using Inventor 2021. This would be the final result.

How many individual parts will make up this piece?

About 7-8, maybe we can optimize it to save some welding...

It looks as if you have found a pretty good technique, so I will probably not add any valuable insights, but I still like to try my hand at interesting models!

You can find a 3d view on this one... meanwhile I'll look for a way to share my assembly using this technique 😄

https://autode.sk/3WbBrlx

Re: SOLID TO SURFACE

SBix26 — Thu, 18 May 2023 00:45:40 GMT

Zip parts and assembly together and attach-- zip is an acceptable format here.

Sam B

Inventor Pro 2024 | Windows 10 Home 22H2

Re: SOLID TO SURFACE

JDMather — Thu, 18 May 2023 01:32:20 GMT

For sheetmetal I would do as Derived Components.

Attach your master file here for demonstration.

This will be easy.

Re: SOLID TO SURFACE

AlejandroAvila01 — Thu, 18 May 2023 15:07:49 GMT

ATTACHED

I would love to see what do you mean by derived components, also a commnad i haven't used before.

Re: SOLID TO SURFACE

SBix26 — Fri, 19 May 2023 00:54:39 GMT

Here is a different way to approach this. Attached is a 2021 part file containing seven separate solid bodies modeled in sheet metal to make up your assembly. I do not have time this evening to complete the job by using Make Components to derive the seven solids into seven parts and place them into an assembly. Just note that when you do so, the parts (and therefore the assembly) will be connected to the master part file, and changes in the master file will change the parts and the assembly. All the geometry is controlled from the one part file.

Sam B

Inventor Pro 2024 | Windows 10 Home 22H2