Tapered tool boxes

[kane__taylor]

Hi all,

My name is Kane and I am very new to inventor. I am trying to model aluminum toolboxes, to mount under a tray. I know how to do it if everything is straight but I dont know how to connect everything together once I have put an angle onto it. I cant find anything helpful so Im hoping I can get some help here. Let me know if you need more information, like I said very very new. Thanks again 🙂

[kane__taylor]

I have another picture, like how do I do the sides with the same profile as the rest? I dont know how to do this. Thanks.

[JDMather]

What version of Inventor are you using?

Attach the *.ipt of what you have completed so far.

Do you have an image of something similar that already exists in the real world?

[kane__taylor]

Hi, I am using the trial version currently to see if it can do what I need, and its professional 2022. Here is a photo of a real world one. Thank you.

[JDMather]

Attach the *.ipt file of your trial here (it doesn’t have to be finished, correct or even good example).

[kane__taylor]

Its not exactly what Im after but its pretty close. Want to be able to flat pattern it so I can get it lasercut. Thanks again.

[kane__taylor]

I need the End to be solid with that taper like the picture I have shown, and I have no idea how to do it, and I cant find any tutorial on how to do it. Cheers.

[JDMather]

First thing you will want to do is fully define your sketches with logical dimensions...

[JDMather]

I normally do not attach my initial attempt and keep working till I have found a solution - but I have to leave my computer so in this case I will post my first attempt.  Don't get hung up on the technique that I have used so far - I might completely change my method as obviously two corners are not correct.

[kane__taylor]

Looks like you are on the right track this is my version if everything is straight. I have worked that out, but when you start adding angles to the toolbox, thats where I dont know how to make all the angles meet up. Thanks for your help.

[IgorMir]

Hi Kane,

Here is a version of the box. I was following the picture of it, since I am using IV2020.

The Unfold1-->Cut1--> Refold1 features in the model are to keep the Flat Pattern happy. Otherwise there some small overlaps in it. It probably can be taken care of by altering the settings in Sheet Metal options DB. Or take care of the overlap on FP level. But I have opted for Fold-->Refold route this time around. 🙂
Cheers,

Igor.

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@kane__taylor wrote:

Hi all,

My name is Kane and I am very new to inventor. I am trying to model aluminum toolboxes, to mount under a tray. I know how to do it if everything is straight but I dont know how to connect everything together once I have put an angle onto it. I cant find anything helpful so Im hoping I can get some help here. Let me know if you need more information, like I said very very new. Thanks again 🙂

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[kane__taylor]

Oh wow!! How did you do that!!! That is absolutely perfect! Do you have to draw it up as a flat pattern then turn it into a folded part? I also need to know how to draw up mudguards as well. I have done it on sketchup but I cant flat pattern it, plus I need to learn inventor. Thanks again!

[IgorMir]

Hi Kane,

No, the Flat Pattern is an outcome of the sheet metal part. You create an item in its final shape. Inventor will unfold it for you. Subject - it is modeled properly.

To view the steps taken - slide the End Of Part marker all the way up and after that - slide it back one feature at a time. Investigate each and every one thoroughly. Soon enough you will get a grip on the software.
The mud guard is a good item for modeling practice. Best of luck!
Cheers,

Igor.

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@kane__taylor wrote:

Oh wow!! How did you do that!!! That is absolutely perfect! Do you have to draw it up as a flat pattern then turn it into a folded part? I also need to know how to draw up mudguards as well. I have done it on sketchup but I cant flat pattern it, plus I need to learn inventor. Thanks again!

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[kane__taylor]

Thanks Igor,

Did not know about that function. I noticed on your drawing there were lots of equations for the cut sizes and so forth. How did you do that?

Kind Regards Kane

[IgorMir]

I am not sure, what do you mean? There are sketch dimensions, defining individual sketches. They define the size of the part. The aim of the game is to use as few dimensions as possible, to fully define the design intent. Always use Sketch constrains first to define the sketch. For example - instead of using dimension 90° to describe the line as being normal to another one in a sketch - use Perpendicular sketch constrain. And so forth, and so on.

Cheers,

Igor.

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@kane__taylor wrote:

Thanks Igor,

Did not know about that function. I noticed on your drawing there were lots of equations for the cut sizes and so forth. How did you do that?

Kind Regards Kane

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[kane__taylor]

Hi Igor, I have been trying to copy the steps that you using the end of folded tool. I seem to get a purple line when doing the sketch 2 and I am unable to get the sketch plane to work to be able to use the lofted flange took. I dont know what I may be doing wrong I will drop the file. been trying for about 3 hours I am a very visible person I am not great at problem solving which is bad for a program like this 😞 Tempted to enroll in training but everything is over zoom now which Is not ideal. Thanks again

[IgorMir]

Hi Kane,

I can't view your file. I am using an older version of Inventor.