How do i flat pattern my parts in inventor?

[Anonymous]

I have a three body sheet metal part that I would like to unfold (unfold the individual parts so I can make engineering drawings). I have made them into their components I then have opened up the parts separately once they are in the assembly. Once I click the flatten button inside the part file nothing happens whatsoever. When I click to define A-side it doesn't highlight anything when I hover above the faces inside the part, so is this the issue? it just wont register anything. Someone please give me some advice, the parts are made from a derived part but I think I have done it all correctly. Photo 1 shows how none of the sides are highlighted when the define A-side is selected and you hover over the part, photo two shows the part with the flattened button checked (but it is not flattened) photo three shows my original file where  created my parts from.

[Xun.Zhang]

Hello @Anonymous,

Have you tried the Unwrap command with Inventor 2020? It is what you need here.

Hope it helps!

[CadManagerMoffatNZ · Accepted solution]

Jason

Does the sheet metal style match between the derived part and the original model?

Is in linked in the derived part dialogue?

[Anonymous]

Thanks mate, appreciated 🙂

[IgorMir]

Hi Jason,

Technically - creating just one part is enough for this design. The attached assembly has a welding seem in the middle That's if you want to have a welded seem in there.

Please see the attached IV2018 files.

Cheers,

Igor.

[IgorMir]

Hello again, Jason;

Here is a part which looks close to your design intent (as far as I can tell from the images you have provided). Sascha May has offered an interesting approach too, but the bottom face in his design is flat. I think it is because he was just showing the way how to model the part - not actually modeling it the way you have shown in your pictures.

Cheers,

Igor.

[JDMather]

@Anonymous 

Maybe a single sheet "solution" would be of interest to you.  (see Attached)