I cannot figure out how to create a flat pattern with my design.

[bolen014]

I am working in F360, and I have been trying to flatten out my design for weeks now. I cannot make it work, and I have no idea what to do.  I am new to this software, and I am incredibly frustrated by it. I would appreciate some assistance in figuring out where I am going wrong and knowing how to fix this.  I have created a fender for my motorcycle in fusion using a solid and then taking pieces out from there.  I then made it into a shell, and gave it a thickness of 0.0625in. I have tried to create a flat pattern, add bends, add flanges, convert to sheet metal, and I am at my wits end.  Here is my file.  Thank you for any and all assistance before I tear my hair out. 

[tommVS2MB]

I have felt that way too!!! It didn't stop me from trying again and again.

I have examined your model and here is how I would approach it:

I would make a drawing of the top of the pedal and extrude it, then

I would create a drawing plane at the angle of the next facet and then sketch that facet referencing the first drawings points then extrude; repeat new plane sketch extrude.

You can then use the facets, edges, corners for adding flange detail;  

I hope another more experienced user will correct me or add more.

You have bitten-off a project that is reasonable and the process of explore, backtrack is usual and not wasted. I have been working on a project to design, document and manufacture fashion objects and I have for 5 days been exploring 2d Drawing, Sheet Metal Bending, modelling, ... I made a little progress and added a lot to my skills.

Tom

[bolen014]

Hello Tom!

I really appreciate your input on this! It has been so frustrating. I am
learning, but it is hard. I have some friends who work in solidworks and
they were able to get it functioning. The CAD master above was able to give
me some good insight, but I just dont have the knowledge at the moment to
solve it. I am going to restart and see what happens. Try to do it right
this time. Thank you for the motivation!

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@bolen014 wrote:
I am going to restart and see what happens.

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Sketch1

[bolen014]

Whoa! Thank you, CAD Whisperer.  Is there a way to create a 3D design from this and then flatten it out, so I can trace it and cut it with a grinder?  I don't have any fancy cutters. 

[TheCADWhisperer]

Sketch2

[TheCADWhisperer]

Sketch3

[TheCADWhisperer]

Sketch4

I suspect that I can simplify further, but at least I know that this outlines your original part.

[TheCADWhisperer]

I realized that I made a mistake on Sketch2, should have been on angled workplane.

...or maybe not - I need to get some other work done and come back to this.

[bolen014]

I really appreciate this! Is it possible to design an entire part in a sketch and then turn it into something like sheet metal?  I am only curious about this because what I am making is such a simple design with no moving parts.  Maybe Fusion isn't designed to do that though. You've done such a good job recreating the part though.  

Thank you!

[TheCADWhisperer]

This is a trivially simple part, I just need to become familiar with the geometry.

I usually create two or three trials before posting polished solution.

[bolen014]

It is a very simple part. I am just so new at this whole thing. I downloaded this software after hearing about it for a long time with a YouTuber. I figured I would be able to learn it since I have taught myself all kinds of other things.  I am just not used to the workflow yet. 

[jhackney1972]

Sheet metal design REQUIRES material of a constant thickness.  Also, you have faces that are connected that will not unfold to each other.  Imagine a few of your faces created by folding a sheet of paper and then taped together.  If you place it on the table and press down on the piece of paper it has to buckle before it will go flat.  On adjacent edges that fold more than two directions, they cannot be joined.  But again, you have a model with variable thickness.  See screen capture.

I would suggest to create the main face using the flange tool, then use sheet metal flange tool to add other faces instead of trying to build it from a solid.

[TheCADWhisperer]

Revision 1

About 5 minutes of work (or less) using the sketches given above.

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@jhackney1972 wrote:

I would suggest to create the main face using the flange tool, then use sheet metal flange tool to add other faces instead of trying to build it from a solid.

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Can you Attach an example using this technique?

(My Flat Pattern Attached)

[jhackney1972]

I did not take any time to measure or clean it up but this is something to illustrate my idea.  It is not as pretty as you can get from working with a solid and then converting it but for someone starting out in Fusion 360, I think it is a better way to learn.

[TheCADWhisperer]

@bolen014 

When I get a chance - I will post a video on my steps.

Now that I understand the geometry it only takes a few minutes to model the part.

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@jhackney1972 wrote:

I did not take any time to measure or clean it ...

I think it is a better way to learn.

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I disagree.

Reminds me of similar "far from ideal" solution proposed by an EE.  

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360-design-validate/sheet-metal-flange-miter-with-angle/m-p/75...

I would really be curious to see a solution following your example that somewhat closely resembles the OP's file.

[bolen014]

I really really appreciate all of your help! I am going to make and attempt to rebuild, but do it correctly, so I can actually utilize this.  Would I just cut where two angles meet so that it can be flattened?  I bet my solid would work fine if I knew how to do that because I was able to get it to a flat pattern part, but it wouldn't unfold.  You've been amazing Cad Whisperer.  Maybe I am getting ahead of myself. Can something be unjoined? haha

[bolen014]

Thank you so much, Jhackney! I really appreciate the assistance on this one as well.  I am really really new to this whole thing, so I just gotta keep grinding on it, and eventually, I think I will get it.