Cut Normal to curved solid not working

[lezaneYT5PX]

I have created a Sheet Metal curved part.

I then created a plane in front of the curved solid with a sketch that I require to shape the curved solid further.

I try to use the cut extrude for a cut normal function on the sheet metal tab, but to no avail. Sometimes this works and other times it does not.

I need this part to eventually flat pattern so as to supply an accurate file for laser cutting.

Is there any other way of doing this. This method is wasting my time and I am getting nowhere. 😞 

Please let me know if you require any additional files, information and explanation and I will oblige.

[JDMather]

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@lezaneYT5PX wrote:

Sometimes this works and other times it does not.

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Should always work or have a logical explanation.

I see multiple issues - starting with this Red Cross.

I would have a planar section at one end of bend and then do one of three ways.

Your sketch for the Split lines can be on the FRONT plane.

Always use the Origin planes when possible and practical.

1. Cut across bend.

or

2. Project Flat Pattern

or

3. Unfold/Refold

[johnsonshiue · Accepted solution]

Hi! Cut Normal can be flaky sometimes. It is because the calculation involved unfolding the sheet metal body and reorienting the tool body to the correct normal direction. After making the cut, Inventor needs to fold it back. In your case, there isn't a static planar unfold reference plane.

JD's solution is close but not precise. You can look at Sketch6. If the solution was correct, the sketch should pass through the cutout profile. There is a simple technique I developed a while back helping solve this kind of case. You simply cut the profile normally. Then you use Thicken -> Intersect on both sides (front and back) to correct the detail faces. Please take a look at the attached part.

Many thanks!

[lezaneYT5PX]

Thank You Johnson,

This is exactly what I wanted to do. Thank you for your help and quick response.

[lezaneYT5PX]

Thank you for your quick response.

I will have a look at the errors presented when trying to do the cut normal feature.

I suppose this is not the correct way of using this feature.