How to get a flat pattern on bent tubing

[ruebj008]

I need a flat pattern of just the ends of the tubes design, just need it so i can make a template to print and cut out. Any help is appreciated, thanks.

[jhackney1972]

You did not attach your model.  To be clear, you do not want to straighten the pipe, all you want is a development of the pipe end scallop shape.   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.

[ruebj008]

sorry, i constantly forget that i can do that. Here is the file,

[jhackney1972 · Accepted solution]

It took a little while to figure out my process.  The first step is to straighten out your curved pipe.  Just a note, since your pipe is not closed on one side, I took advantage of this.  The next step was to get a unroll the surface of the straighten tube.  From this point it is up to you what you do with it.  You can make a sketch on the flat surface and export it as a DXF.  You can make a 2D drawing of the model as is and Export to PDF, if you have a subscription license.  Make sure you export to PDF at 1:1 scale instead of printing the drawing as Fusion 360 does not hold scale in a printout.

The process is pretty involved so if you have a lot of tubes to do, you have a lot of work ahead of you.  If you need further explanation, let me know.  Model is attached.

Please Accept Solution if this answers your Forum question, if not, please post further questions

[stiller.design]

Inventor has a function to unroll this kind of shape, Fusion to my knowledge can't unroll curved bend shapes

[ruebj008]

Thank you, may i ask, how exactly did you unbend the tube?

[jhackney1972 · Accepted solution]

I used my supplied model to step through the process used to create your flat pattern layout.  I suggest you open my model and follow along with the Screencast.  The reason I did this is because if I did it from scratch, it would have taken twice as long as I am sure I would have missed some of the delicate picks and clicks and you probably do not want to see me make mistakes.  As I already mentioned, this is an involved process in Fusion 360 so I hope you do not have many tubes to find the end patterns for.

By the way, you addressed post request, for this explanation, to yourself not to me.  This is because you used the Quick Reply icon instead of the Reply icon on the post of the person you are responding to.  With multiple individuals responding to a post, it is nice to address the person directly instead of addressing yourself.

[ruebj008]

Sorry, about that, thank you very much. Unfortunately i do have a lot of tubes to figure out, as i am designing a racecar chassis. Some of them have cut outs along bends too unfortunately, but i think i will just get the straight pieces cut out and connect the dots in real life

[ruebj008]

I know its a while later, but i have been trying some more tubes to unfold, and they just wont do it, I watched the video through probably three times, and did every step alongside the video, and i get an error code that it is not a valid sheet metal body whenever i try the actual unfold.

[laughingcreek]

instead of doing it with fusion, you might have better luck with a UV unwrap in mesh mixer.  here's an example using your attached model.  

[evanp4509U4JZ]

If you are building a car I would suggest getting the Bend-tech software. It is easier than fusion for chassis building, has several use specific tools, ie notch templates, bend radius catalog, bend layout distance printouts, several templates available, bumpers, racks, tabs and brackets.  Given the cost of DOM these days 1 stick of 1.75x.095 costs more than the software.

[jhackney1972]

Be happy to look at your model if you attach it.  It seems like others have easier solutions with other applications so it is up to you to choose.  Love to take a look if you still want to use Fusion 360.

[jhackney1972]

@laughingcreek , I have not used Autodesk Meshmixer at all.  Would you consider doing a Screencast on this process for me?

[laughingcreek]

this is pretty rudimentary, but the basic idea.

[ruebj008]

here is the tube, much less complicated, but doesnt want to work for me, i will try the uv unwrap as i have use it a few times before on a few sheet metal parts i had to make.

[ruebj008]

I would love bendtech for some of this stuff, but I have completely designed the car already, i just need bending information and notching templates. That and i am still in highschool, and my dad isnt going to just spend 500 some odd dollars on some software that isn't useful to him, he runs a repair shop so cad in general is a good tool, just not bendtech, because we dont do much tubing work.

[jhackney1972]

You attached a DXF of a flat sketch.  Did you mean to attach a different file?

[ruebj008]

yeah, my mistake i clicked the wrong one, heres the right one.

[jhackney1972]

Your model is attached.   I am really puzzled with this model, it does not have any fancy end cuts so I wonder why you need a flat pattern of the unbent pipe? 

[ruebj008]

i didnt need the flat pattern so to speak, but i did need the unbent tube to get overall length so i can manufacture, and none of my tubes want to unbend for anything, I have tried at least 2 other tubes and have had no luck, any suggestions? Thanks