Sheet Metal Gun Magazine Feed Lip Bend

[Jwalton8]

Hello,

I am trying to model a 1911 magazine in Autodesk Inventor Professional 2014 and am having some issues with the feed lip bends.

I've attached two pictures. The first is showing some examples of what the magazine needs to look like, and the second is my part that I have currently.

The best way I can describe what I'm trying to do would be that I need to have a flange half way up the magazine opening that transitions seamlessly (without any type of relief cut) with the rest of the mag.

Is there a tool or feature that I'm not aware of that could accomplish this? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Picture 1

Picture 2

Regards,

Josh

[johnsonshiue · Accepted solution]

Hi! There isn't a feature in Sheet Metal environment to create such shape. But, you can use regular modeling commands to create it (sweep or extrude+fillet). The thing is even after you create the shape in folded model, it cannot be flattened. It is because the bend is non-cylindrical. The part will have to be stamped or punched.

Many thanks!

[mdavis22569]

Would loft work best here, I don't think this should be all that hard to make ( @johnsonshiue)

If you have it extrude to where the taper/draft starts and finish at where you measure it out.

Looking at one of my clips ... it's a slight flange across it, but doesn't go across it. I think ( @Jwalton8 needs to show a side picture of the clip he's using)

Where are you putting the rip or break so you can flat pattern it?

I'll see if I can recreate it, a side show would help 

Can you give me what you have so far?

[Jwalton8]

Thanks for the replies @johnsonshiue & @mdavis22569,

@johnsonshiue, that is kind of what I was afraid of with the complex bend. If there was a way, getting it to unfold after probably wouldn't be an option. 

@mdavis22569I don't have much experience when it comes to modelling with sheet metal in inventor but your idea sounds like it could work. Here's a few more pictures of the magazine I'm modeling it after as well as the part file. Keep in mind I'm using 2014 Inventor.

Picture 3

Picture 4

Thanks for all the help,

Josh