Cannot figure out how to use fold/bend to bend the sheet metal into a box.

[patrykstolinski]

Hello,

as the title says - I am currently building myself a box for electronics for a stereo piece using 1.5mm thick sheet metal that'll be cut out on a laser cutter. I have attached the ipt and the folded box image, and I'm pulling my hair out of frustration. I simply don't know how to bend it (I want to bend it in inventor so that when I export face as dxf, it'll have the necessary reliefs and edges and what not). I could probably wing it but I can't guarantee the results will look good.

I have also attached what I'm going for in terms of corners locking together - I will weld it, but first I need to bend the walls 90 degrees. I tried bend part in 3d model, I tried fold with various bendrelief values and different starts to bends, and I get one good edge at most. I'm by no means a professional in Inventor, but I do use it to help me out in my hobbies, and I don't know how to get over that hill.

[JDMather · Accepted solution]

The usual process is to model in finished form and then let Inventor generate the flat pattern.

You know the dimensions as you want it when completed - model that.

[JDMather]

@patrykstolinski 

I left dimensioning to you (See Sketch5) in the Attached file.

[patrykstolinski]

This is amazing, thank you! I will definitely adjust my workflow to make completed bends first.

[JDMather]

@patrykstolinski 

Double check all of the dimensions that I used - as I wasn't really sure of many of them were what you wanted.

(I only spent 30-40 minutes on this example.)

[patrykstolinski]

Oh definitely, I started a new project to learn your process instead of using your model. That'll commit it all to my memory. Have a good day.