topic Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief in Inventor Forum

Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

andrewdroth — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 14:37:47 GMT

I am wanting to simply the process for adding these cut hole corner reliefs. These are being used in a tab and slot style welded assembly.

Currently I have a sketch block I explode and make parametric to the tab feature it's being used with, but it would be nice to be able to add them in the same manner as a corner round.

I think an iFeature could possibly work, but that almost seems more cumbersome than what I'm doing right now.

Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

JDMather — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 14:52:25 GMT

Doesn't that go in uniform thickness material? (No example Attached?)

If yes, then I would simply create a parametric Punch Tool.

Then it would be as simple as placing Hole features.

Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

-niels- — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 14:55:30 GMT

This topic might be interesting for you:
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/tab-and-slot-app-for-inventor/m-p/10623591#M840804

Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

andrewdroth — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 15:09:53 GMT

@JDMather wrote:
Doesn't that go in uniform thickness material? (No example Attached?)
If yes, then I would simply create a parametric Punch Tool.
Then it would be as simple as placing Hole features.

Yes it does. The punch tool would work, but I want these hole sizes linked to the tab dimensions. I want to easily be able to change the tab length and thickness and have these slots update accordingly. I don't think I can do that with the punch tool.

Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

andrewdroth — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 15:19:17 GMT

@-niels- wrote:
This topic might be interesting for you:
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/tab-and-slot-app-for-inventor/m-p/10623591#M840804

It has been for some time...

EDIT: Oops, I thought you linked the idea station post. This is cool.

Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

andrewdroth — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 15:23:08 GMT

Hmm, the hole feature might be my best bet...

Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

JDMather — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 15:32:02 GMT

The Punch Tool can be set to prompt you for any parameter that you want.

Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

andrewdroth — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 16:52:04 GMT

@JDMather wrote:
The Punch Tool can be set to prompt you for any parameter that you want.

Yeah, but I would need to add those parameters to each punch operation. My goal is to have the dogbone fillets follow the slot corners.

Ideally it would work like this Fusion360 add-in where I could add it to all the internal corners of a sheet metal body.

I think I smell an idea station post brewing.

Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

JDMather — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 19:04:35 GMT

I must not understand your intent. (Of course I understand the resulting "dogbone" geometry, what I don't understand is why this is difficult as a Punch.)

An example file finished the "hard way" might help illustrate the Design Intent.

Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

mcgyvr — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 20:24:38 GMT

@andrewdroth wrote:

Yes it does. The punch tool would work, but I want these hole sizes linked to the tab dimensions. I want to easily be able to change the tab length and thickness and have these slots update accordingly. I don't think I can do that with the punch tool.

@andrewdroth Can you provide actual examples? What does it mean to update accordingly specifically.. Tell us what specifically changes when whatever else changes.. Specifically describe the variables/dependents,etc... to us..

You can easily make a punch tool that (for example) would be a simple dog bone where you can prompt upon placement for length/width/relief diameter AND you can use parameters in that target part to populate those values..

I think thats whats you are asking..

As stated if you can just model up a simple example of what you want and show which parameters are driven by which parameters we can easily show how to create a punch to accomplish that..

Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

johnsonshiue — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 21:47:10 GMT

Hi Andrew,

Another workflow to consider is to create an actual tab tool (positive) as an ipt file. Then simply derive it as a body into a sheet metal part. Then you can populate the tool by using Sketch-Driven Pattern (join as one body). Lastly, use Combine feature to cut the tool from the main sheet metal body.

Many thanks!

Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

andrewdroth — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 02:51:17 GMT

@mcgyvr wrote:
@andrewdroth Can you provide actual examples? What does it mean to update accordingly specifically.. Tell us what specifically changes when whatever else changes.. Specifically describe the variables/dependents,etc... to us..

Kinda like this. I want to be able to change everything in terms of sizes. Essentially, a fillet commend that can accommodate dogbone fillets.

https://autode.sk/3lUUTRO

Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

andrewdroth — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 02:52:35 GMT

My GOD, adding an attachment and a screencast quickly reminded me why I stopped posting here.

Frig around!

Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

andrewdroth — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 02:55:01 GMT

wHOOPS...

Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

mcgyvr — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 12:32:45 GMT

@andrewdroth

And what specifically is wrong with just using a punch like this?

You just need a sketch with center points at the center of each dogbone.. Then you define width/height/relief diameter as needed and each of those can be driven by parameters in your model if desired..

Edit... Now I'm thinking that you already receive a file from someone with the rectangle cutouts already in place and now you ONLY need to add the corner reliefs..

If so then yes I think that using the Hole command with allow center point creation on may be the fastest process.

If you are the one creating the initial rectangles then just use a punch instead of rectangles.

Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

andrewdroth — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 14:28:47 GMT

@mcgyvr I think it's doable, I just find it more cumbersome.

EDIT: No, I'm making the whole master part.

Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

JDMather — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 14:32:41 GMT

@andrewdroth wrote:

@mcgyvr I think it's doable, I just find it more cumbersome.

I don't think you fully appreciate the technique we are suggesting.

Can you Attach a completed design done using your current workflow. Yes/No?

Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

andrewdroth — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 15:10:20 GMT

@JDMather No I can't add the actual model I'm working on. It's not mine to share.

Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

mcgyvr — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 18:22:11 GMT

@andrewdroth wrote:

@JDMather No I can't add the actual model I'm working on. It's not mine to share.

Do you add the tabs to the parts first? Or the slots?

Then how do you go about locating/creating the rectangles or the tabs?

Projecting tab or slot geometry to the parts?

Wouldn't that process be easier if you simply had to locate/create center points relative to those tabs (assuming you create tabs first) and then use the punch to rapidly create all the slots complete with reliefs?

I'd think it would always be quicker to just create/dimension a center point vs a rectangle...

Re: Sheet metal tab slot corner relief

JDMather — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 18:27:54 GMT

@andrewdroth wrote:

@JDMather No I can't add the actual model I'm working on. It's not mine to share.

Well, in that case I am glad that I did not take my time to create a dummy example and video to demonstrate my thinking on the topic.