convert a 3d model design to a FLAT PATTERN for sheet metal

[sales6YZ7B]

Hi

Is it possible to create a sheet metal drawing  ( for laser cutting & press brake bending) from a 3D model design ( attached), i have designed a simple box and trailed its suitability in plastic form made on my 3D printer, now i am happy with the design, i want to now get this made in steel ( 0.8mm) . My question is is there a conversion and editing to get a 2D sheet metal DXF drawing from my design so i can pass this to teh sub contractor for tool path programming manufacture?  I understand there are no bend and no cuts but wanted to know if you can select faces that can they lay flat and thus give 4 sides to the central base . I assumme i should have designed teh housing in sheet metal but then that woould not work in prototyping on the 3D printer. Thanks in advance. Pat

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@sales6YZ7B wrote:

 I assume I should have designed the housing in sheet metal but then that would not work in prototyping on the 3D printer.

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Geometry is geometry.

It is either right or wrong.

Why do you think it would not print?

I recommend that you start over from scratch using what was learned from this attempt, but now model as Sheet Metal.  Start with just one of the several components.  Ask questions.  Once you learn the technique you can apply it to each of the other components.  Fortunately your components are very basic geometry.

I recommend that you fully define each and every sketch.

Use only dimensions that can be measured in the real world.

90.008721083 cannot be measured in the real world and blue geometry (under constrained sketches) should keep you awake at night.

I recommend that you do not use Move (not necessary).

Your entire design can be significantly simplified.

[g-andresen · Accepted solution]

Hi,

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@sales6YZ7B  schrieb:

I understand there are no bend and no cuts but wanted to know if you can select faces that can they lay flat and thus give 4 sides to the central base .

without these features a flat pattern is not possible

I assumme i should have designed teh housing in sheet metal but then that woould not work in prototyping on the 3D printer. 

who says so?

sheet metal sliced

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Watch the screencast and implement it for your parts.

günther

[sales6YZ7B]

Excellent, many thanks, I am no design engineer, i trained on 2D autocad in 1999, never done 3D let alone using modeling techniques, hence why the whole thing is not at all to any standard, so my F360 work is all self taught / stubled upon by accident or "will do" i use You tube when i get stuck, but to get a search key word to suit the question i want asking is not always easy. Thanks for the screen cast i will now try to impliment your advice.

[sales6YZ7B]

I trained on Acad 2D in 99, never done 3D or modeling, hardly was even thought of much then, i build engines and cars, apologies if constrained sketches and blue lines are a issue, im self taught on F360 and 3D printing, thanks for your advice i will try to take it on board.

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@sales6YZ7B wrote:
I trained on Acad 2D in 99, never done 3D or modeling, hardly was even thought of much then

@sales6YZ7B 

I am retired now, but back in 99 I interviewed for my last job by demonstrating 3D in AutoCAD.