The input body is invalid message: attempting to create sheet metal flat pattern

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I am having trouble creating flat patterns in all of my solid bodies for a sheet metal project. I created lofted flanges from sketches, then used planes to split them.  After I create the components from the .ipt, when I open, for example, solid1.ipt. It cannot create the flat pattern. I have one split in this solid (HeadFlangeRipBack).

I am using Autodesk Inventor Pro 2018.2 on a different computer than I used to, and I am thinking that it is something in my settings that I missed.

I am designing for 12 guage mild steel.

Attached is the .ipt file if any of you want to take a look at what my invalid object could be.

Thanks for your time.

Elaine

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Elaine,

When you tried to create a flat pattern, a dialog did come up saying "Flat patterns are not supported when multiple bodies exist." This part does contain multiple solid bodies. You need to use Make Components command to push each solid as an individual sheet metal part. Then create flat pattern in each part.

Many thanks!

[Anonymous]

Hello Johnson,

I did click Create Parts and selected all bodies to create .iam file.  It is when I open the generated solid1.ipt (generated by create parts) that I see the problem. There is something inherent in my solids that needs correcting and I cannot figure it out.

Thanks,

Elaine

[johnsonshiue · Accepted solution]

Hi Elaine,

I look at the Solid1. The gap is incomplete. There are still sliver faces attached to the body so it cannot be flattened. You should go back to the source part and look at each solid body and make sure they all have gaps.

Many thanks!

[Anonymous]

Thank you Johnson. I will revisit how I do the rips. 

Elaine

[kelly.young · Accepted solution]

Another awesome design @Anonymous! Something that should help you is when you push the solids to an assembly as parts inspect each part on it's own when setting up the rips. 

When you open Solid1.ipt you will see that there are is an area that has no fill, same with Solid4, Solid14 etc.

If you inspect the parts individually by RMB > Open from the assembly it will isolate the parts and reveal where the error is, sometimes things will blend in during the assembly view.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if a post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

Hi Kelly,

My problem is that I was creating the rips after I had created the faces and now I see that I must first create the rips in splits and then create the faces (adding back the lines where the splits are). What I don't understand is why the face is included in the solid part for the split? Is there a way to avoid this?

Elaine

[kelly.young]

@Anonymous I think that in this situation using Rip at the Part level would be easiest.

You might have more control and less interference with other solids.