create sheet metal part with a curved edge

[Anonymous]

im trying to use contour flange from a flat open geometry and have it "extrude" onto a gently curved face which i cannot seem to make happen. so i do a normal contour flange then remove the curve, but it wont let me unfold. i keep getting an error.

thanks for any help you can provide.

[jhackney1972]

Please attach your part.  It is very hard to duplicate your problem if you do not share your part.

[Anonymous]

the shape isn't the issue. i just quickly threw this together as a nonsense sketch. its happened every time I've played around with it. I've just had this come up in the past and have had to hand draw and map out the points in autocad to come up with a somewhat accurate flat cutout. I'm really trying to prevent that entire process and just let the software provide the cutout.

ill attach what i was messing with though to save you some trouble.

[jhackney1972 · Accepted solution]

I am probably not understanding what your final result should be but I have taken a stab at it.  Please see my Screencast and if I missed your intention, do a Screencast or describe what you want a little better.  My part is attached, it was created in Inventor 2018.

[Anonymous]

perfect. i was trying to do this all with sheet metal tools and apparently that doesnt work.

thanks for the help!

[PaulMunford]

The trick is to make sure that all cuts are perpendicular to the face.

One way to do this is to split the face along a sketch, and then thicken/cut the bit you don't need.

You might find this post helpful:
http://www.graitec.co.uk/blog/entry/autodesk-inventor-sheet-metal-flat-pattern-success-every-time