project and unfold possible ?

[ruben_van_lerberghe]

Hello all,

For a bent shape, I need the shape of a body A flattened and then able to print out on a 1:1 scale. 

It's supposed to be symmetrical so even half of the shape would already be enough.

I created a body X on the inside of the shape so I was hoping it's somehow possible to get the shape A projected , or intersecting with the new body X. And then flatten that surface of body X.

Body X is in white on the model.

Thanks in advance for any pointers,

Best

Ruben 

[jhackney1972]

Please attach your model.  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.

[ruben_van_lerberghe]

Thought it uploaded, thank you for notifying 

[Warmingup1953]

Do you mean just this?

[ruben_van_lerberghe]

Hello,

Not 100 % sure what you mean 🙂

Body A is a bent shape of wood that I hope can get "projected on the surface of  Body X( that I used to do the bending). And then I would like that surface flattened . That way when I print it out, I can stick the paper on the bent shape of wood and shape it in its width... Hope that's clear 

[TheCADWhisperer]

@ruben_van_lerberghe 

If this were my work I would:

1. Model at the Origin.

2. Have 3 bodies at this stage rather than only 2.

3. Create a "Sheet Metal" Component for the template.

[ruben_van_lerberghe]

Thank you for your reply.

I think I did 1 and 2 together, moved it to origin, and have the bodies separated.

But I'm new to the sheet metal menu. I extruded a sketch ( now on the outside of the legs) and then converted the resulting body to sheet metal but I don't know how to project the leg on to this sheet metal. And then unfolding it does not work because " not connected to any bends"..

What am I doing wrong ? 

Thank you,

Ruben

[ruben_van_lerberghe]

Is it possible to project a 3D body onto a connected bended surface ? And then unfold that surface ? 

If the projecting is the issue, I found a work around by creating a body in the middle of the body I want to project and cut it. But the unfolding is still not working. I add a little flat but it's not recognised as a stationary entity... 

And in any case having the body projected would still be better, if possible ?...

Thanks in advance

Ruben 

[TrippyLighting]

---

@ruben_van_lerberghe wrote:

...

And in any case having the body projected would still be better, if possible ?...

Thanks in advance

Ruben 

---

I think every now and then, you need to take a step back and ask yourself how that would work conceptually and mathematically.

What you are asking the software to do its to

• "find" the maximum extend of an arbitrarily curved surface
• perpendicular from a given view axis
• and  then in a plane perpendicular to that view axis
• create a sketch with a best-fit spline that represents the outline of the surface.

[ruben_van_lerberghe]

Thanks for your reply @TrippyLighting TrippyLighting
(The previous 2 models that you helped me with did unfortunatly not get approved by the client so I couldn't show you the final result. This one is actually being made at the moment)

So what I'm trying to get ultimately is a print out, 1:1 scale, that I can glue on the piece of wood that I've already bent. Therefore the only parts that really need to be precise are the one marked in the screenshot. The bottom flat and on the top, the 2 surfaces where it joins the main component. The rest of the bend does really not have to be precise.

So in response to your much appreciated feedback. I really know very little about the mathematics behind Fusion. 

Second part of your response,  I am not sure what to conclude. Is this your suggested workflow ? Or is it what I am trying to do and failing, and so is it not possible ? 

What is the given view axis ? 

(I understand that it's better for me to learn the software to a higher level then to just get a ready-made answer from you. I'm trying to learn it on my own but just in function of the needs for the furniture I build )

Best

[TrippyLighting]

I this what you are looing for?

The little flange that I have circled in red is a flat/straight part I added to the sketch for the flange. As you probably already know, this is needed to be able to unfold, ot flat-pattern the bent part.

I used the new Solid Sweep to create a shape that precisely follows the inside of the wooden structure when viewed along the Z axis.

If you need another axis, then let me know and I'll demonstrate the workflow.

In fact, the Solid Sweep functionality is so new that I forgot that it exist when I wrote the last reply 😉

Also, please post an image of the final piece of furniture when completed.

3D models are nice, but nothing beats a real physical artifact!

[ruben_van_lerberghe]

Hello,

Thank you. I'm trying to wrap my head around the workflow. 

The axis is actually 22.5 degrees of the z-axis. And the resulting sheet metal. should ideally be both on the inside, like you did. And also on the outside. 

And then still the main thing is, the resulting sheet metals should have the projected outlines on them, which I don't find in your model at the moment. 

I only see project to surface in the sketch environment, so maybe with a 3D sketch ? or is there a way to project a body ?

[TrippyLighting]

---

@ruben_van_lerberghe wrote:

Hello,

Thank you. I'm trying to wrap my head around the workflow. 

The axis is actually 22.5 degrees of the z-axis. And the resulting sheet metal. should ideally be both on the inside, like you did. And also on the outside. 

And then still the main thing is, the resulting sheet metals should have the projected outlines on them, which I don't find in your model at the moment. 

I only see project to surface in the sketch environment, so maybe with a 3D sketch ? or is there a way to project a body ?

---

So this is what you want ?

And, yes, I can unfold these sheet metal objects (or perhaps create a flat pattern).

[ruben_van_lerberghe]

@TrippyLighting that’s exactly it ! 

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

I have attached the model to this post. However, the modeling approach might need some explanation.
I wont have the time to create a screencast util tomorrow. Feel free to tag me if I don't post one! 

In the meantime, you can go through the timeline and see if you can make sense of it.

I start with sketch63 and define the 22.5 degree (from vertical) axis. 

[ruben_van_lerberghe]

Ok thanks so much. Trying to make sense of it.  I'll leave the discussion open for now. 

Much appreciated,

Ruben

[TrippyLighting]

If you still need a screencast, please let me know.

[ruben_van_lerberghe]

Hi @TrippyLighting 

That would be great if you have the time yes !

Kind regards

[ruben_van_lerberghe]

Hi @TrippyLighting 

I just remembered you asked me fore a image of the final piece. More on Ruben Blouberg on instagram if you are in the market for a furniture piece 🙂 

Thanks again for your help.

[TrippyLighting]

That turned out beautiful!

I am not in the market for a piece of furniture and really wouldn't have the space to showcase such an elaborate piece of art. I  thoroughly appreciate what you do and hope I was able to help!