Funnel, need help making one

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

 I am trying to create a funnel. I include a jpeg of what I am trying to make. I think I got close. I'm having trouble convincing autodesk inventor that my patch sticking out is a real "face" that I can revolve around my axis.  In an earlier post “how to make a 3D arch”, I received help making an arch this way. I tried making my patch into some kind of closed surface by joining the ends with 3D sketch Lines along the lines of that earlier thread. How the patch is joined at the ends is not critical, only that they are joined, of course. 

I tried the "Face " command in 3D model, "Sweep", "Thicken". The “Face” command seemed to want 4 faces, where I just want a long parallelogram of two dimensions in the vertical plane. The program constantly complained of "Open Loops." Then, when I clicked on the Help, the program said I needed "Closed Loops." But I could not find any "Closed Loop" commands. You can see how I made a vertical workplane and then sketched 2D lines along this vertical workplace to create the major sides of my patch. 

 I also tried to follow the post “Inventor 2018 Help Designing Hopper Funnel In Sheet Metal With  Lofted Flange” that was recommended to me when I went to post this question. In that case I started with the two circles, but autodesk would not let me make a plane. I would click on “3D Model”, “Plane”, a little rectangle would appear by my cursor, but then I click away and nothing happens (the “plane” command would just highlight one of my base rings). So I couldn’t try the rest of what was offered in that other thread.

By the way, is is possible to attach short VTAC files of me (audio optional) trying to click on buttons and get them to work in these threads? That would help to show people other things I tried.

[JDMather]

You are doing way to much work.

Attach your *.ipt file here.

[JDMather]

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@Anonymous wrote:

By the way, is is possible to attach short VTAC files of me (audio optional) trying to click on buttons and get them to work in these threads? That would help to show people other things I tried.

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It would probably be painful to watch 😂, but Autodesk Screencast.

[Anonymous]

Attached is the file.

You're probably right about the VTAC. Who knows where that would end up.

[JDMather]

See Attached.

I think you will need to provide more information on your true Design Intent.

[Anonymous]

Is it possible you could make a video out of how you made that shape, just like you did with the arch? I do want to get better at this and learn where my mistakes are. The parts I've posted here in the last couple threads are the first complicated parts I've made. That funnel is actually pretty close to what I want to make; the measurements have to be adjusted a little, but its basically what I've been trying to make all day.

[JDMather]

What are you trying to make?

[Yashasvi23481]

Hi,

    There are 2 approaches to make this. 

First  is loft feature : Create 2 planes with offset required. Draw the preferred section (circle in this case) and join them using Loft.

Second is derived part : Create a cylinder with internal dimensions of funnel. save it as derived part. open new part and bring in this derived part and create sketch on the circumference and then envelop the part with thickness of plate. 

To create flat pattern, rip through surface with offset/gap of 1mm.  

Pretty straight forward. Give me dimensions of funnel and thickness of plate. Its just 5 min task. you don't need 3D sketch.

Thanks and regards,

Yash

[Yashasvi23481 · Accepted solution]

Hi

See attached ipt file. I have used 100 and 50 as Diameters and 3mm plate thickness. Modify this part to your dimensions and rip the surface to create flat pattern. Hope this helps. Its in 2018 Version. I have created flat pattern too..

Regards,

Yash

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

I went home last night so am just now getting back to this. I did want to answer JDmather's question about what I try to do. I attached a file of the funnel I am trying to make. Even though the jpeg shows a funnel inserted inside the hose, I want to make a new funnel that fits snugly on the outside of an air-blow hose. In previous sketches, I did not mention a cylindrical covering that would attach to the base of the funnel because I thought that would be an easy segment to make and wanted to avoid asking an easy question. The funnel I couldn't finish though. 

The only real constraint on the funnel is that it must open to at least 40.1 millimeters to fit snugly on the outside of the hose. 

Less important constraints are that the height of the funnel would be about 70 millimeters, the radius a few tens of millimeters, and I measured through ballpark geometry that the funnel opens to about 25 degrees--these measurements are whatever makes the cone come together. The thickness of the plastic funnel in the jpeg is about 3 millimeters so my 3d printed funnel can have the same thickness, again very flexible.

I will see if I can incorporate Yash ideas today. That is the main event for the day.

[JDMather]

This will be a simple Revolve.  No need for Loft or complex geometry.

Back in a bit with a video.

[Anonymous]

Hey all,

I was able to make the funnel. I worked through both your designs. Very excellent and thoughtful. The video was great! Not only that, these last few parts in these threads have really helped me to tour and understand the features and approach of using autodesk inventor. Thank you both for being patient as I learn this software. I really appreciate all the help. I consider my thread answered and I hit accept solution(s) already.

[Yashasvi23481]

Hi JD,

   Agreed. When you have circular section all over, revolve is better solution but not full revolve 359deg shud give required gap. In the lofted flange I have done, I realised there is double layer at the cut / gap. Could you tell me why it happened ? Is it something to do with Loft settings or sketch was wrong ? 

Regards,

Yash

[JDMather]

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@Yashasvi23481 wrote:

In the lofted flange I have done, I realized there is double layer at the cut / gap. Could you tell me why it happened ? Is it something to do with Loft settings or sketch was wrong ? 

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You should start a new thread for your sheet metal questions.

New user @Anonymous is likely to be confused by your addition to this problem.