sheet metal

[bgibsonBKMER]

I am working with plastic (PFA), the tank is 3/8" thick, and at the top, there are weirs (scallops) all around. The four corners have a relief cut, more or less, an area is machined down to 0.1" thick x 2.292" wide with 45 degrees each side of the cut. My question, can Inventor "sheet metal" take a 3D model with two thicknesses and unbend those corners and add a seam in the middle of one of the walls, so as to create the flat pattern?

3D PFA TANKFLAT PATTERN

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! Each sheet metal body needs to have unique thickness value. Please feel free to share the part here so forum experts can take a look. It should be doable but it is hard to tell without seeing the file.

Many thanks!

[IgorMir]

Yes, it can be done.
Here is a file in IV2020 format.

I got to go now, but should you need more guidance to the part creation - please let me know.

Cheers,

Igor.

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@bgibsonBKMER wrote:

I am working with plastic (PFA), the tank is 3/8" thick, and at the top, there are weirs (scallops) all around. The four corners have a relief cut, more or less, an area is machined down to 0.1" thick x 2.292" wide with 45 degrees each side of the cut. My question, can Inventor "sheet metal" take a 3D model with two thicknesses and unbend those corners and add a seam in the middle of one of the walls, so as to create the flat pattern?

3D PFA TANKFLAT PATTERN

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[IgorMir]

Hi Brian;

Here is more or less a final model. IV2020 format. The dimansions are selected at random, but it shouldn't be matter.

Cheers,

Igor.

[bgibsonBKMER]

Thanks for the reply and effort... However, I am on Inventor 2013. I am not able to open your files...

[bgibsonBKMER]

The Jpg file looks great, can you please save the ipt file as 2013.... 

Thanks,

Brian

[bgibsonBKMER]

I down loaded Inventor 2020, I was able to open and view your sheet metal
part. Did you create the file in standard IPT fashion (3D), thereafter; you
created the flat pattern from the 3D thru sheet metal?

[mcgyvr]

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@bgibsonBKMER wrote:
I down loaded Inventor 2020, I was able to open and view your sheet metal
part. Did you create the file in standard IPT fashion (3D), thereafter; you
created the flat pattern from the 3D thru sheet metal?

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You can see how a part was constructed by looking at the model browser to see each feature as it was created.. 

You can drag the End of Part marker up below each and every feature and step through the construction steps..

If you delete the flat pattern before doing that you won't get that error about it.. (or just ignore it)

[bgibsonBKMER]

So, from reviewing the file, it appears as it was created from a flat pattern, not from a 3D model. 

Thanks,

Brian

[mcgyvr · Accepted solution]

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@bgibsonBKMER wrote:

So, from reviewing the file, it appears as it was created from a flat pattern, not from a 3D model. 

Thanks,

Brian

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It was started with a contour flange.

Then was unfolded

Then an extrusion was added to create the multiple thicknesses

Then the first extrusion (cut) was created to create the first half of the scallop..

Then another extrusion (cut) to create the other part of the initial scallops

Then a rectangular pattern to generate multiple scallops..

Then the whole thing was folded back into the original contour flange shape..

Then mirrored to create the full tube vs a U