Twisted piece

[drawingsCHR7R]

Hi all,

Attached is a picture I came across, I would love to learn how to model such a bend as illustrated on this picture.

Unfortunately I am not too sure of a workflow process that would work well. Could someone maybe assist me on a suitable workflow to get the desired result as shown in the attached picture.

I am only interested in the twisted part and how to get the same result as shown.

Thanks in advance.

[JDMather · Accepted solution]

Attach the *.ipt file of your initial attempt here.

The Attached would look better with some guide curve rails.

[drawingsCHR7R]

Hi @JDMather 

Thank you for the reply, as I said when I saw this I wanted to model it but had no idea on how to do it.

Thus my attemt only got as far as trying to make a profile & path to try sweep it at an angle. When the sweep function failed on my attempt I deleted it and came to the forum.

So I don't have an ipt. to show. Apologies for that.

Your attempt is amazing! You truly impress me every time.

I had a look at your ipt & the workflow that you implemented, I'm not too familiar with it apart from the loft command. Could you perhaps explain how you did it? or do you have a youtube video of how you did it?

Thanks

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! Another way to do that is to model the part as a flat part. Then create a sketch line and use it as a bend line for Bend Part feature (3D Model -> Modify -> Bend Part).

Many thanks!

[JDMather]

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@drawingsCHR7R wrote:

Could you perhaps explain how you did it?

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I did wayyyyyyyy too much work.

In this case do as @johnsonshiue suggested and model in flat and then Fold.

This is the opposite of how I normally do sheet metal parts, but in this case it is probably the easiest way.

[drawingsCHR7R]

@johnsonshiue 

Thank your for thue suggestion, any chance of illustrating it for me?

[drawingsCHR7R]

Understood.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! Please google the terms "Autodesk Inventor Bend Part." You will see plenty of learning materials showing you how to do Bend Part.

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2019/ENU/Inve...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SERDLAD0uQ

Many thanks!

[cadman777]

JD,

I can't see your part b/c I'm on 2010, but am curious about something:

Did you make a TWISTED sheetmetal part with a bend (and holes w/crowned ends) and then flatten it?
Cheers ...

[JDMather]

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@cadman777 wrote:

JD,

I can't see your part b/c I'm on 2010, but am curious about something:

Did you make a TWISTED sheetmetal part with a bend (and holes w/crowned ends) and then flatten it?
Cheers ...

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I didn't take the time to make a proper sheet metal part.

[mcgyvr]

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@cadman777 wrote:

JD,

I can't see your part b/c I'm on 2010, but am curious about something:

Did you make a TWISTED sheetmetal part with a bend (and holes w/crowned ends) and then flatten it?
Cheers ...

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@cadman777  He did 2 surfaces, then a loft to join them then thicken basically as shown..

[cadman777 · Accepted solution]

Oh, OK.

Well ... here's mine (attached).

I can't figure out how to make a twist flatten.

Never have been able to.

Is it possible?

[mcgyvr]

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@cadman777 wrote:

Oh, OK.

Well ... here's mine (attached).

I can't figure out how to make a twist flatten.

Never have been able to.

Is it possible?

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@cadman777  Inventor cannot flatten (flat pattern) things that aren't made on a press brake basically.. No compound deformation..

You can use the newer "unwrap" functionality though to get a surface.

[cadman777]

CHR,

Maybe you know this already, but if you wanna understand what people do when they send you a part file, then you need to sharpen your powers of observation. So you have to scroll back the 'End of Part' marker to just below the first featue, and then analyze how each consecutive feature is made. Otherwise, this is how I would do it if I was you:

1. Define the Part: The part in your pic looks like a bent flatbar with a twisted end with holes in both ends and both ends crowned. So that's what Inventor has to make. Does Inventor have the functionality to make this? Yes. Can it flatten it as a sheetmetal part? Not sure.
2. Define the Workflow: What Commands can I use to make this as simple as possible, so if I change the dimensions, it will automatically update?

Make your observations now...

3. Observation #1: The segment w/the threaded rod going through it is one fully flat piece w/a hole at the end.
4. Observation #2: There is a bend between both flat segments.
5. Observation #3: The other segment is at a certain angle and orientation to the first feature (this requires hand measurements or scan data).

Now make your features using Inventor commands...

6. Feature #1: Make the segment in Observation #1 as the first feature in the ipt file.
7. Feature #2: Make Observation #2 the second feature in the ipt file, connected to Feature #1.
8. Feature #3: Make Observation #3 the third feature in your ipt file.
Now you have 2 fixed features with straight end faces that a Loft feature can attach to...

9. Make a Loft btw the two existing feature faces using GuideRails (I would use splines tangent to the leading edges of each feature).
10. Add holes & Flatten.

Done.

[cadman777]

Thanx!

[cadman777]

Ahh ... so he used surfaces ... that's another simple way to do it. But it can't flatten, right?

I found that surfacing is a whole different mindset compared to 3d modeling.

It takes a lot of experience to know how to surface things correctly and not get all bound up in the details.

The guys who do 'organic shapes' are good at that sort of thing, you know, the guys who process point clouds and make character animations and all that fun stuff...

Thanx for showing it!

[drawingsCHR7R]

Thank you for explaining and advising me on this.

I see merit in what you're saying and will definitely apply it going forward.

Your part was also amazing, thanks for sharing.

[drawingsCHR7R]

Thank you

[cadman777]

You're very welcome!

Glad you got a new 'tool' out of it.

That's what the good people in this forum have done for me over the years more times than I can count!

The Inventor Customization forum people are also as good, esp. when it comes to learning and using iLogic.