HELP!!! Inlet on Cylinder

[andyjones]

Hey all, I have been pulling my hair out for the last few days trying to get this parts right! I really need some help!  I have a 54" cylinder (7ga wall) with a top plate that is 3/4". the bottom is open. I have a 14"x14" square inlet that goes into this cylinder. it enters where the top plate and wall meet. The "front" and "sides" are no problem, it the "back" of this inlet. it will be squared off on top and have a curve to make the cylinder at an angle. (I have included pics). I have these parts drawn in autocad and know what it's supposed to look like but I can not figure out how to get this part drawn in Inventor.  any and all help will be greatly appreciated!! 

Andy

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! Purely based on the image, it looks like a good case for Loft. You just need to create two rectangles on two parallel planes. Then create a loft between the two rectangular profiles. Lastly, use Shell command hollow the body.

Many thanks!

[andyjones]

Thank you for the reply but I'm not sure how to use the loft command and I'm really unsure where to create the two planes. I'll read up on loft command and see if that'll help!! Thank you again for the reply! 

[andyjones]

Been watching videos on loft... Maybe I'm making this much harder than it should be...  I'm thinking about this "inlet" part as 4 pieces (thats how we make it in the shop) Maybe I should be thinking as a top and bottom and use the loft command then trim the part where it intersects the OD of the cylinder and the top plate? will that work?  also, can i then rip it and create sheet metal parts?

[JDMather]

Can you attach your AutoCAD dwg (or at least image here)?

Can you attach your Inventor attempt here?

Maybe I don't understand the problem description, but -

That appears to me to be a simply trimmed planar plate.

In that case Loft is not really needed - simply trim the plate - just like in the real world.

[JDMather]

Wouldn't the inlet "chute" interfere with the "leg" flange?

Given that you have not stated what version of Inventor you are using - if I create an example solution in Inventor 2018 based solely on the images you have provided - will  you be able to open my "solution"?

[andyjones]

JD,

 thank you fro the reply...  Yes, The gussets do get cut down. I will figure out how to attache my file here so you can see what i've gotten so far.  In the first picture, The parts are correct (notice the back of the inlet is missing), in the second picture this is the flat plate the gets formed and fits correctly. I'm trying to draw that flat plate as curved and fit in the first picture. Also, in the middle of the curved back piece of the inlet, it drops down roughly 6.25" on the outside of the cylinder but the corners meet with the corners of the sides of the inlet.  does that make sense??  

[andyjones]

Here is a step file of the part with the back of the inlet missing. 

[andyjones]

JD,

 I've been working on this and I have got it "close" I know the part is not correct (exactly) but it'll give you and Idea of where i'm trying to go. I imported the plat plate into inventor and then added all the breadlines. I know there has got to be a better way to do this!!!  anyway, Attached is the assembly and also the inlet back pan.  Thank you for all your help!!!