Looking for some workflow to reliably produce flat patterns from twisted spiral auger shaped sheet metal components.
The yellow component is a four foot length of 2.5 schedule 40 pipe. The green component is a piece of 14 gauge steel 2 1/2 inches out from the pipe spiraling up to the top, rotating 90°.
Attached is an example of F3D of what I'm trying to do. Any guidance would be appreciated.
I have been able to do a rough representation of the flat but this workflow is cumbersome. f3d attached.
I did this using triangulation instead.
I would like to come up with a workflow or a methodology to do this quicker and more accurately
Hi Mr TinWhisperer,
Consider checking:
Regards
MichaelT
I made a scale model to test out my methodology.
It's posted here on makers world if you'd like to try it out
Tri Fin test model. Twisted Auger form by fourthstatecnc MakerWorld: Download Free 3D Models
I also made a couple out of sheet metal for the sculpture we're working on I think it fits quite accurately
still seeking A simpler methodology that stays with inside Autodesk fusion. Please post if you have any ideas.
@TinWhisperer wrote:
lution for flating n
still seeking A simpler methodology that stays with inside Autodesk fusion. Please post if you have any ideas.
That does not exist!
Flattening non-developable surfaces is possible in Autodesk Inventor. The juicy bit is that the method used in Inventor came from Meshmixer, which is/was not originally software developed by Autodesk.
Since the developer of Meshmixer left Autodesk a few years ago, Autodesk has stopped developing Meshmixer.
@TrippyLighting wrote:
@TinWhisperer wrote:lution for flating n
still seeking A simpler methodology that stays with inside Autodesk fusion. Please post if you have any ideas.
That does not exist!
Flattening non-developable surfaces is possible in Autodesk Inventor. The juicy bit is that the method used in Inventor came from Meshmixer, which is/was not originally software developed by Autodesk.
Since the developer of Meshmixer left Autodesk a few years ago, Autodesk has stopped developing Meshmixer.
For this project we just did bring it into existence...
let's see if we can reduce the steps of this further.
I've already built 2 real world examples of this, one in metal and one in 3D printed that worked out very well but now this new version of the methodology it is even simpler and more accurate. And all this stays with inside Fusion .
Attached is an F3D check out the process and see if we can take a few more steps out of it.
You asked for a simpler method. In Inventor and other CAD systems, you can flatten such geometry with one feature.
I am happy that you were successful with the workflow you presented in the file you shared, but that definitely isn't "simpler" and also is much more limited than a general flatten workflow for non-developable surfaces.
@TinWhisperer wrote:
..
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My hope is fusion will just absorb inventor soon. I also wish Autodesk would just buy SheetCam and also absorb it into the fusion collective.
In June 2023, I re-posted a thread from this forum on the Fusion Slack channel, where Autodesk Expert Elites have direct access to the development team.
This was another thread where Mr. @MichaelT_123 showed his mathematical prowess to address this flattening problem. I was referred to functionality in Inventor and was informed that it was derived from Meshmixer. I suggested they get in contact with Michael to "compare notes".
There seemed to be no interest, which I find truly disappointing.
The Product managers responsible for this area of Fusion were invited to the thread but never responded.
The conversation died down.
In March this year, I asked again in that Slack thread and received zero feedback.
In September, I asked again in a new thread. Two of my fellow EEs showed interest, but I received zero feedback from the developers.
I would not hold my breath!
I'll see what I can do with your file!
