How to convert sphere to sheet metal?

[travis.designer.vn]

Hi

How can I convert a sphere to sheet metal for manufacturing? unfold?

Thank

Travis

[JDMather]

What version of Inventor?

Do you need a true sphere or approximated?

Are you aware that true sphere requires stretch deformation?

[IgorMir]

Gerardus Mercator had worked it out in 1569 already. 🙂

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerardus_Mercator

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@travis.designer.vn wrote:

Hi

How can I convert a sphere to sheet metal for manufacturing? unfold?

Thank

Travis

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[mdavis22569]

Share your part / ipt for review

[travis.designer.vn]

Hi

I'm new in sheet metal.

My intention is keep the smooth sphere. Material is Alumium 1 mm. I watched a video, they use 6 vertical planes to split a sphere. then unfold it. They use solidworks to do it.

[mdavis22569]

Let me ask this ... How would you be making this in the real world? 

That's in part of how I'd be modeling it.

You'll need a rip though it if it's a sphere.

Could be something made in sections .. then welded as an assembly files. So many what if's / how are you ... 

[IgorMir]

Here it is. IV2020 files. The sphere is created as an assembly in this case.

Cheers,

Igor. 

[JDMather]

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@travis.designer.vn wrote:

2. I watched a video, they use 6 vertical planes to split a sphere. then unfold it.
3. My intention is keep the smooth sphere. They use solidworks to do it.

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1. You did not answer my question.  What version of Inventor are you using.

2. What is the link to this video?  Cite you sources of information.

3. You must be mistaken.  SolidWorks will not unfold a compound curve in Sheet Metal, so either they used approximation or they unwrapped in Surface workspace (not true sheet metal).

[travis.designer.vn]

Hi @IgorMir 

Thank, I will check

Hi @JDMather 

I'm try Inventor 2021

This is link of video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd33EFZ3gbw&t=198s

My mistake, he did not use plane.

[JDMather · Accepted solution]

Everything is the same in Inventor, but the name of the equivalent Inventor tool is >>Unwrap<<.

Attach the *.ipt file of your attempt here if you can't figure it out.

[travis.designer.vn]

Hi @IgorMir

I like your method. 

I see other split method in practical. youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqWRIAsGG4M

What do you think this method of spliting?

[travis.designer.vn]

Hi @JDMather 

I try Unwrap feature as you said.

Can you please give me more information about meaning of this Analysis?

Can It apply for producing?

Thank

[JDMather]

It looks to me like you are doing too much work.

Is that the shape you want (you have referenced at least two other shapes)?

What is the Thickness of the material?

Is the 100mm to the outside of the sphere or to the inside of the sphere?

(Your sketches are not fully defined.)

[IgorMir]

Hi Travis;

It depends on what your requirements are.  For a sheet metal part I did it the way I saw it fit. There might be other solutions as well.
As for the SS ball in the video - each member of the welded construction is not a true sheet metal part. It is a formed part. Hence, for the time being - unwrap is the best tool for it in Inventor. For getting a Flat Pattern, that's it.

Cheers,

Igor.

[travis.designer.vn]

Hi @JDMather 

I just intent to find a good way to produce a sphere which look smooth. This is reason why I consider 2 way to compare the differences.

I think about a sphere:

Diameter of sphere is 200mm

Material is Alumium

Thickness of material is 0.45mm

Thank