Help with flat pattern from step file

[Anonymous]

I just Received a bunch of step files that I need to make flat patterns of and I cant seem to figure it out. Can someone please show be the best way of doing this so I can do it in the future. Im using inventor 2013

[mdavis22569]

go to you sheet metal default ..set the material thickness to .125 ... 

I attached a file ...but it's 2016 ..

[Anonymous]

Now what if I need to change it to a different thickness?

[mdavis22569 · Accepted solution]

no ...the part is fine ...

your default thickness is set to .120 ....the part in the step file is .125 thick ..so it can't process it ..

[mcgyvr]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Now what if I need to change it to a different thickness?

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Why would you need to do that?

I'm going to assume you are a sheet metal fabricator and the step file is customer supplied..

If the customer would like it in a different thickness then they should submit a corrected step file..

However if you really need to change thickness I would use "thicken" from the 3d model tab in the modify section..

You can also use the direct edit tools and some other ways..

As its a "dumb solid" its not going to respond to changes in the Sheet metal defaults dialog but you need to set that to material thickness to allow it to "search for" and unfold the part.

[mdavis22569]

He doesn't have to change it.

I think he's confused and thought he did by my reply, and the change the sheet metal default thickness.

The part comes in .125.   

[Anonymous]

Yes my company is a sheet metal fabrication company and yes it is a customers step file. The reason it would need to be changed is to get the most precise bend locations along with figuring the correct bend allowance which will effect the overall dimensions of the finished product. Ex: This part is supposed to be done in 10 GA S.S. which has a thickness of .1345" and what they have it set to which im assuming is just their default settings is 11 GA which is .125

[JDMather]

You could use the Thicken command to increase or decrease the thickness, but if you need close tolerance calculation of the bend allowance - I think I would use only as reference in re-modeling from scratch.

Edit:  You might also request dimensioned detail drawings of the finished parts of what they really really really want to avoid errors that they could blame on you.

[mdavis22569]

i added a screencast to show you what you need to change.

Your default needs to match the part's thickness if you want to create a flat pattern from the step file ...

and they did it wrong ...it's .125 ...

[mdavis22569]

so it sounds like you have 2 issues at hand:

1) how to flat pattern it ... *answered

2) thicken the part ... *answered

 bigger issue is ... taking a part from a vendor, having you guys change it to the correct thickness etc  ...

If it was our fab shop, they would require the proper thickness part model. This way if something doesn't work, it's not their fault.     Never been a fan of fixing customers work...    Just my 2 cents here.     

[mcgyvr]

yep... tell the customer to fix it..

As a vendor you can/should adjust the k-factor of that sheet metal style to achieve the proper flat pattern extents.. But material thickness is something that the customer should have correct from the start..

It could effect much more than what you know about.. I'd be pissed if #1 I made such a blatant mistake of calling out one thickness in a drawing and #2 the vendor didn't inform me to correct my mistake and just did it on their own.. Their mistake of modeling with the wrong thickness NEEDS to be corrected by them to ensure all over fits work properly..

[JDMather]

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@mdavis22569 wrote:

     Never been a fan of fixing customers work...   

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Your missing out on additional income - just let them know they will be billed for the work.

Of course, everyone wants everything for free. 

[JDMather]

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mcgyvr wrote: 

As a vendor you can/should adjust the k-factor .....

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Can you do that with a "dumb solid".

I hadn't paid attention to this (as I don't make anything real) until recently when I saw on a file that only sheet metal feature bends actually calculated bend allowance.

[mcgyvr]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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mcgyvr wrote: 

As a vendor you can/should adjust the k-factor .....

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Can you do that with a "dumb solid".

I hadn't paid attention to this (as I don't make anything real) until recently when I saw on a file that only sheet metal feature bends actually calculated bend allowance.

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Yep.. the flat pattern is effected by sheet metal k-factor... But you sure made me check just to make sure again.. 

[IgorMir]

You bet! LOL!

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@mdavis22569 wrote:

     Never been a fan of fixing customers work...   

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Your missing out on additional income - just let them know they will be billed for the work.

Of course, everyone wants everything for free. 

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