topic Re: How to unfold a helical blade? in Inventor Forum

How to unfold a helical blade?

jingying_1213 — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 13:34:24 GMT

Hi,

I have a helical blade as below. It is a sweep feature which includes a rectangular section and a helical curve path.

I just want to know is there a way that I can unfold it to flat pattern?

Thanks!

Re: How to unfold a helical blade?

blandb — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 13:54:17 GMT

I have done this with a loft of a surface and thicken. Attached is a 2022 version

Re: How to unfold a helical blade?

jingying_1213 — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 14:20:55 GMT

Thanks for providing a new method and it looks very good.

Re: How to unfold a helical blade?

blandb — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 14:23:52 GMT

I have never checked the accuracy of the flat, because when I used to do this type of work, the flight press had its own software to spit out the required tooling needed...

Re: How to unfold a helical blade?

jingying_1213 — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 14:29:29 GMT

I think it should be accurate and my part does not require so accurate.

So I like your your method.

Re: How to unfold a helical blade?

johnsonshiue — Thu, 20 Oct 2022 23:13:22 GMT

Hi! If Flat Pattern does not work, you may use Unwrap command to approximate it.

Many thanks!

Re: How to unfold a helical blade?

jingying_1213 — Fri, 21 Oct 2022 00:52:38 GMT

Hi, I tried unwrap command, it does work well.

Thanks for providing another way!

Re: How to unfold a helical blade?

jaimin.ja.3 — Sat, 07 Jan 2023 11:56:05 GMT

I used that method very long time before, but due to not using that method frequently I start forgetting this time-consuming method so I add formula and form to save time, I also use iTrigger so whenever you open the part you don't need to go to the ilogic panel and click on the form it will automatically open the user form. let me know that it is useful or not, I have some more parts like this and cones that can customize within click

Re: How to unfold a helical blade?

jingying_1213 — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 02:14:09 GMT

Yes, it is useful.