Punchy tool creation failiure

[Anonymous]

Hi first time posting on the forums, at work I am trying to develop a new punch... It's just to prove the concept on a part so aslong as I can get the iFeature to work and create the punch then I will be happy, not too much needs defining just proving concept at this moment, currently it wont let me save the .ide as the 'save' option is greyed out. Please see the document attached, any help is appreciated as I have tried many things but I am only salf taught on inventor so may be missing something obvious.

[JDMather]

All Updates for 2018 installed?

Sketch point in first sketch of punch feature?

No dependent geometry in sketch?

Manage>Extract iFeature>Sheet Metal Punch iFeature?

[Anonymous]

Hi, I believe the software is up to date... as for dependencies in sketches, do all the sketches have to have no dependant geometry or just the initial punch detail I assume? That may be the issue as it was copied from autocad directly.

That is the way I am trying to create the punch feature.

[JDMather]

iProperties indicates that you are on 2018 RTM.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor-products/downloads/caas/downloads/content/inventor-2...

You can have dependent geometry - but only when the parent geometry is following its child into the iFeature.

I recommend that you start with a much simpler punch and turn off Autoprojection of edges.

[Anonymous]

Hi, thanks very much for the advice definitely appreciated, I will make sure to get the latest version updated ASAP. I turned off the auto projection just after I left work and not back til Thursday but a fresh head I bet it can be done... I’d love to try a simpler punch but managers wanting this sorted so guess I’m in at the deep end but I’ll be alright.

[JDMather]

You should learn to walk before attempting to run.

Do you have an example of a previous part that you have completed - I see indications of tips that could dramatically improve your work.

[johnsonshiue · Accepted solution]

Hi! This is doable. Punch/iFeature extraction is not the most intuitive workflow in Inventor. You need to have good understanding of feature dependency. The rule to thumb is to simplify the dependency as much as you can. Treat the features you are extracting as atomic unit. Never project geometry or reference geometry that does not participate in the extraction. In your case, Sketch11 has two projected lines from origin planes. The origin planes do not and cannot participate in projection. So they are useless. Extrusion16 does not have any dependency on Extrusion10 and 11. It will not work properly when you insert it back.

Please take a look at the attached part and its ide file. Let us know if more information is needed.

Many thanks!

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

Yeah I would love to do it in baby steps but work won’t allow for that given the time constraints for this job.

[Anonymous]

Hi sorry to be trouble one last time, your file worked marvellously however I have needed to make the punch ever so slightly larger... I assumed I could just make my little modifications and it would let me use the punch but again its not letting me create the punch from this .ipt as the sketch "is not suitable" and mentions that the point's arent set correctly in the sketch.

Its so nearly there I can almost taste the victory 🙂

Please see attached document

[Anonymous]

SUCCESS, managed to sort it thank you all very much for the help, much appreciated.

[ProKAD]

They seriously need to improve the punch tool feature. 

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I totally agree. I think there is a lot of room for improvement in iFeature and Punchtool. They work well if you understand feature dependency very well and you manage it very well. If somehow you miss a step or two, you will run into explainable failures easily and you don't know what to do. I have replied to quite a few threads like this. In the end, the issues can be overcome. But, you will need to know Inventor as well as I do.

Many thanks!