Flat Pattern Stopped Working After Using Unfold/Refold

[swgbgl]

I wanted to add v-grooves to my sheet metal project and tried at first to draw the grooves while in flat pattern.  But the grooves did not persist after exiting flat pattern.  Then I tried unfold/refold.  This worked great.  However, now flat pattern does not seem to want to unfold the project.

https://a360.co/2pAcdix

[JamieGilchrist]

hi swgbgl,

I suspect that once you make those relief cuts the geometry is no longer recognized as a valid sheet metal body (will confirm that), since those cuts are made on the bends.  Is your intent to have 0 bend inside?  This is a case where modeling the relief in the flat pattern makes sense, but anything modeled in the flat pattern will not reflect in the folded model, hence the fold/unfold workflow.  The reason we do this is to make a clear distinction of the output of your sheet metal design (the flat pattern) and the finished part with full design intent. In most situations the fold/unfold works for handling design intent, but it seems like what you are trying to achieve here is a modification of your part for fabrication intent.

can you help me understand what you are trying to accomplish?

[swgbgl]

Jamie,

In the photo below you will see sheet metal that has been etched.  A couple of pieces have scoring marks that allow them to be folded.  I can't easily etch but I might be able to machine.

Steve

[JamieGilchrist · Accepted solution]

Hi Steve,

yup, I see what you are trying to do here.  For this to work in Fusion you'll have to make these scorings in the flat pattern (and they will not show in your folded model) and then machine them into your parts.  Fusions sheet metal environment is optimized for designing break-press sheet metal parts.