Need help on making component lay flat

[Anonymous]

Newbie,

I have an irregular shape and now need a way to lay it flat. Long story short, I need to find the the shape/dimensions of the center component as a flat shape. I didn't have that information to begin with so I built it as an extrusion and have tried everything youtube has to offer to convert it to SM with no luck. My intent is to cut this out of mlid steel as one piece while maximizing as many bends as possible to reduce the number of welded seams. I have tried making it three components and then converting it to SM but it will not let select a base face. I don't need the spout but the location of the hole it creates would be nice. I know I'll need to tell 360 that the edges are cuts over most of the mating surfaces but that happens after I convert, is that correct? Any direction you can proved would be awesome. 

   

[davebYYPCU · Accepted solution]

You can't flatten an endless loop.  You need the airgap and a flat surface 

I have traced the outline, and trimmed the flat section a small amount.

Select Flat pattern and select the flat faced section, to the right of the gap.

Might help....

[Anonymous]

Thank you! This is exactly what I was trying to accomplish, would you mind one last question? How do you make the air gap? I apologize for the ignorance up front...

[davebYYPCU]

Just a mod in the sketch, trim the original loop, between the two lines, then flange the sketch that is needed.

[Anonymous]

Thank you again! Your help is appreciated.