How do I turn a flat complex shape into a wavy banner

[laserjaylee]

I'm trying to create a model for a project that will be cut out of thin plywood sheets that will stand vertically and resemble a long wavy banner, but needs to be cut to a specific profile.  The images show the front of the shape and the top view shows the simple sine wave curve the shape needs to follow.  Not sure if there is a way to do this with the sweep tool or loft tool, but maybe some more advanced users have a workflow for this.  

[jhackney1972 · Accepted solution]

In the attached video I quickly give you a method I used to take a flat model and hook it to a piece of unfolded sheet metal then refold the sheet metal taking the sheet along with it.  This is the way I think you will have to go.  I did not have your model to demonstrate on but the process is the same.

[laserjaylee]

Ok great.  Thank you.  Very quick reply.  That looks like it could work.  I use the sheet metal function often for making custom shipping boxes for desks that I make so I am familiar with folding sheet metal.  Im not sure how to make the sine wave curve in sheet metal.

[laserjaylee]

I couldn't figure out how to flatten the sheet metal curve.  I kept getting errors when I tried to select a stationary side.  

Here is a link to the project.  

https://a360.co/3YyaCto

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

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@laserjaylee wrote:

  Im not sure how to make the sine wave curve in sheet metal.

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You should sketch that as a single (not offset) curve with the native sketch tools in Fusion.

Importing such curves is often fraught with problems!

[jhackney1972 · Accepted solution]

I will not be able to look at the model right away but the sheet metal piece must have a flat section to select as the stationary side.  Return to the sketch and add a small straight line on one end.  Be sure this is included in the sheet metal part.  This flat area will be selected in the unfold operation.

[g-andresen · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Your sketch cannot be used for a sheet metal element.
That's why I created a quick and dirty sketch for a sheet metal element.
You can see how this works in the screencast and in the timeline.

günther

[laserjaylee]

This is the first time using this forum for questions about fusion 360.  It has been an amazing and informative experience.  Thank you for your help!

[laserjaylee]

Ah.  Ok I see now, where I went wrong.  I did remove one of the lines from my dxf imported sine wave, and I extruded using the flange function and extruded a flat spot at the end of the curve.  Apparently the issue was the the imported dxf file.  I now know to always trace imported dxf files with native fusion tools.  Dxf have given me issues in the past.  Now as a rule, I will trace them.  I was pulling my hair out trying to flatten that sine wave.  Lol

[TrippyLighting]

This did not work because these imported sketch curves have a very sharp rise in curvature (Inspect-> Curvature comb analysis) )on both ends.