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Having trouble generating a flat pattern of eccentric cone

9 REPLIES 9
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Message 1 of 10
Mhanson3
955 Views, 9 Replies

Having trouble generating a flat pattern of eccentric cone

I keep getting the error message shown below when I try to create my flat pattern.

Mhanson3_0-1603742027814.png

 

Our current models do not show the individual sheets that are used to make this cone section.  Our current models use the revolve feature and creates a single, smooth flat pattern.  We then lay out the sheets in the flat pattern or some have done a sketch in the drawing to create a representation of the sheet layout. 

 

We want to make a new model that shows the plate layout an also be able to select and export the flat patterns to dxf for cutting.  

 

I have attached the file I have been working on.  Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you,

Matt

 

 

 

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9 REPLIES 9
Message 2 of 10
Mhanson3
in reply to: Mhanson3

I noticed that there was something strange with my workpoints.  When I moved my EOF above unfold1 you can see the workpoint is positioned nicely between the gap.

Mhanson3_0-1603743762604.png

Mhanson3_1-1603743844349.png

When I move the EOF after Refold1, you will see that workpoint seems to have moved, when actually the part is not folding back up the same way is unfolded.  Anyone know why this may be happening?

Mhanson3_2-1603743917174.png

 

Mhanson3_3-1603743926399.png

 

Thank you,

Matt

 

Message 3 of 10
Frederick_Law
in reply to: Mhanson3

Check out "lofted flange" command.

Message 4 of 10
Mhanson3
in reply to: Frederick_Law

I am using the Lofted Flange with a Rip in this model

Message 5 of 10
johnsonshiue
in reply to: Mhanson3

Hi! I believe this has something to do with Cut1 (wrapped within Unfold/Refold). In general, Inventor does not like geometric variation in the bend zone. In this case, the entire sheet metal part is in the bend zone.

I believe you will need to use two parts to represent this design. The first one is as is. And, you derive the part as a second part. Remove the cuts using Delete Face -> Heal. Lastly create flat pattern. So the first part represents the folded model, while the second one represents the flat pattern.

The other option is to delete the Unfold/Cut/Refold. Create the flat pattern in the first part. Then derive it as a second part to add the cuts back.

Many thanks!



Johnson Shiue (johnson.shiue@autodesk.com)
Software Test Engineer
Message 6 of 10
IgorMir
in reply to: johnsonshiue

Hi Johnson;

It although might be due to the way the model was created. I have modeled the part from scratch (not following the exact dimensions - just the idea) and the part behaves as expected. Since the original model is in IV2018 format - Matt won't be able to have a look at it (most likely). Here it is in IV2020 format.

Cheers,

Igor.

Web: www.meqc.com.au
Message 7 of 10
Mhanson3
in reply to: johnsonshiue

Hi Johnson,

 

Thank you for the response.  I am not real familiar with that technique and will have to look into it a bit more.

 

Thank you,

Matt

Message 8 of 10
Mhanson3
in reply to: IgorMir

Hi Igor,

I do have access to 2020 so I was able to open up your model. Thank you.

A couple of things I noticed was your rip was going down the YZ Plane as a Single Point rip offset to one side. You then unfolded the part using the other, vertical, face. I like this, and this is what I typically try to do. For this design, we have been asked to place the seam 14" off the top centerline, as shown below. The Point to Point rip works great for this.

Mhanson3_0-1603802548642.png

I did switch the rip to be offset to the opposite side of the unfold. I got similar results as before.

I think the trouble comes with the unfold. When I click a stationary face, the planes appear. You can see below, the planes are not flush with the rip feature, and I think this is creating incorrect results during the refold.

Mhanson3_1-1603802562425.png

The red circle is suppose to be the location of the folded part.  Somehow, the refold isn't folding the part the same way it was unfolded.

 

Thank you,

Matt

 

Message 9 of 10
IgorMir
in reply to: Mhanson3

Hi Matt;

There is a bug in the unfold/refold tool which has been around for years. As well as quite a few discussion of it on this forum. 

Just don't use symmetrical split. Use the offset one. And whenever possible - keep one side of the split aligned with the origin plane. That's if you intend to use unfold/refold routine down the track.

Cheers,

Igor. 

Web: www.meqc.com.au
Message 10 of 10
Mhanson3
in reply to: IgorMir

Thank you Igor.  I'm sure this is what is going on.  I may end up doing an oversized sketch and cut in the flat pattern to get the faces I can export.

 

Thanks again,

 

Matt

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