Loft into flat pattern

[WoodcraftMark]

Ok, I know this gets posted a lot and I've read through what I can find but I have not been able to get what they are doing to work for me.  This curved rail should flatten just fine.  It follows a radius.  I created this by lofting through posts that will support it.  These posts were laid out on a circle path.  Occasionally we will get more complicated ones (instead of coming down in a straight line, it will curve in an ogee shape) which is why I thought a loft would be good.  We cut 3/8in bendiply to form the shape and I'd like to be able to get the flat pattern so I can cut this on the CNC.  Any thoughts out there?

[TheCADWhisperer]

I would not use Loft for this.

I would use Thicken of a trimmed Extruded Surface, then Convert to Sheet Metal.

[WoodcraftMark]

I tried creating a surface.  I made a surface loft through the outside edge that created the rail, thickened it (.06in), and it would not turn into a sheet metal. I also tried to create a sweep surface using the outside edge of the piece from one end and the top edge as the rail, thickened it (.06in), and was not able to convert to sheet metal.  Are you thinking extruding a surface from the ground up, then trimming it to shape (possibly by the the existing piece)?

[TheCADWhisperer · Accepted solution]

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@WoodcraftMark wrote:

I tried creating a surface.  I made a surface loft 

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The geometry is cylindrical - this would be Extrude or Revolve for cylindrical geometry.

[WoodcraftMark]

Dang it.  I just noticed, the shape isn't correct.  The left side should be straight for a few inches before beginning the curve.  This may be why it won't flatten, creating a loft between the posts may not create a consistent radius.  Back to the drawing board.  Thanks for your help.  I see you respond to a lot of posts on here, it is appreciated. 

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@WoodcraftMark wrote:

The left side should be straight for a few inches before beginning the curve.  

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That makes the problem even easier.

Post back if you have trouble.

[WoodcraftMark]

I think I finally got it.  It is the flange that seems to be the key.  By making a very small flange and then finding the parameter that sets the thickness for it (sheet metal rule), a surface can be created then thickened by that parameter.  Just need to make sure join is selected and not new body to fuse it to the flange.  Also for anyone who comes across this, you can set the flange to + or - to be "inside" or "outside" your line.  This is the website that helped:

https://blogs.rand.com/manufacturing/2019/06/creation-conical-sheet-metal-components-in-autodesk-fus...