Flat Patter Sketch Features Not Translating To Body

[ntranzow]

I have a sheet metal cylinder with a butt joint. When I flat pattern the the cylinder and add feature, extrude and then finish flat pattern, the extruded features (holes) are not on the body. What am I missing?

[jhackney1972]

To add features to a sheet metal flat layout, you do not add them in the view created by the Flat Pattern command.  You need to use the Unfold command, then add your sketch and features, then use the Refold command to finish.  The added features will be retained.

If this answers your question, please select the "Accept Solution" icon on my post. If you have further questions, please ask.

[ntranzow]

The body was converted to sheet metal. I tried unfolding originally but nothing was selectable. I assume its because flanges dont exist since it was converted? Its a fully cylindrical part with a single break. 

[jhackney1972]

You have to have a small flat section to do an Unfold.  Attach you model and I will show you the process.  If you do not know how to attach your Fusion 360 model follow these easy steps. Open the model in Fusion 360, select the File menu, then Export and save as a F3D or F3Z file to your hard drive. Then use the Attachments section, of a forum post, to attach it.

[ntranzow]

That would be great. 

[jhackney1972 · Accepted solution]

The fact you created your sheet metal body from a solid, which did not have a sketch, makes this process a bit harder.  I went through the steps in the video and attached the model.  I used your sketch from your model to show how you can sketch on the Unfolded model and then create a feature.  Model is attached.

If this answers your question, please select the "Accept Solution" icon on my post. If you have further questions, please ask.

[ntranzow]

Maybe im missing something or maybe this is more particular than i thought. I modified my original sketch to reflect the projected geometry you made to create a flange the resembles what youve created. When I unfold after creating a flange I receive an error. 

Scratch all that. I figured out my issue. I was missing a small step.

[ntranzow]

I do have another question I hope you might be able to help with. So the sketch with all the holes needs to be extruded through all layers. Of course as the cylinder layers grow in diameter, that changes the hole locations outward from center. Is there a quicker way to extrude those holes through all layers without creating constructions planes, projecting the hole and extruding the holes?

[jhackney1972]

If I understand your question, you may be able to do this with parameters calculating the change in location in relation to the diameter but it could get very tedious.  Another idea is to layout the holes on an angular layout.  As you know when the diameter changes the holes location on the circumference changes but the angular layout around the center does not.

[ntranzow]

Yes, the changes in circumference is where the issue it created. But no worries. I was able to work around it in another software and still able to import the models back and convert back to sheet metal from a .step import.