Breaking a sheet metal model into multiple parts?

[ejowalter]

I have been learning Inventor to model HVAC duct components and have a bit of an issue in my workflow I was hoping someone could assist me with.

I model a lot of my more complex sheet metal parts as a solid body and then shell, rip and flange them to make them ready for fabrication, but I run into parts that are complex enough that they can't be made as a one-piece bend. That is where I start to run into problems.

Take this part, for example, it would require being broken into four separate pieces in order to make it, but I am not sure how to actually go from one part to individual components.

In a situation like this, what is the preferred workflow?

[Chancellor.Kurre]

I'd recommend using sheet metal tools to start off, they'll give you a better(read: useful) result. Especially since it sounds like you intend to make what is modeled. Other than that you can create new bodies in the same part, commonly called "multibody modeling". It lets you get everything sorted in one model and then break the solid bodies out into individual parts.

[JDMather]

Sketch1 is not fully defined.

Sketches 4 and 5 have an unresolved issue.

Missing a bend.

Working too hard (solution to follow in a few minutes)...

...examine the Attached.

[Curtis_Waguespack · Accepted solution]

Hi @ejowalter 

You could use what you have to to create a multi-body sheet metal part and then use the Make Components tool to push all the pieces out as individual files that can then be flattened.

See the attached Inventor 2022 example... note I made no attempt to create realistic HVAC parts, but was just trying to demonstrate how to create a multi-body part based on your model.

I hope this helps.
Best of luck to you in all of your Inventor pursuits,
Curtis
http://inventortrenches.blogspot.com

[ejowalter]

I find for most things I have to learn, the biggest issue is getting a handle on the terminology so I know what to research.

Thanks for the help

[Anonymous]

来自中国的初学者，我是这样做的