Why can't I unfold?

[Anonymous]

Hello.

What I need to do is really quite simple, on paper.
I have threerings, two made from rather thin metal and one bigger, more squarish, that I need to unfold.

I've tried all sorts of things and looked for an answer for like, an hour now, and I still don't understand why my drawing can't unfold.
I've tried placing planes on the ends, tried making the gap smaller, bigger and so on.

Whenever I try to select the end points, it just sticks a purple outline on my entire drawing and then that's that, can't do no more.

First attachment shows the three rings I need to unfold, so I have the measurements for cutting the steel plates.
If anyone knows of a great way, let me know.
Second one shows the actual ring I'm pulling my hair out over.

I really, really need your help.

Thank you!
- Peter
Blacksmith Student

[mcgyvr]

You should have just posted the ipt files instead of those large images..

Have you set your sheet metal style (thickness) to match your rings prior to unfolding?

and do you need to "unfold" or produce a flat pattern.. 2 different tools..

[Anonymous]

Did not know; this is my first post.
How do I put up the .ipt-files?
The same way I did the screenshots?

Yea, it's set to the same measure.

I don't care, I need the measurements for cutting it, as metal gives when bend.
If it's the one tool or the other, I don't care, just so long as I can get the round bit to become a flat bit, with the proper measurements.

Bear with me, it's a crazy, user-hostile program.

[mcgyvr]

yes.. upload your ipt file just like you did those images..

Do you also know the k-factor for your equipment that will be used to roll the material?

Metal expands/contracts (stretches/compresses) during formingand depending on the accuracy you desire you may run into problems there too..

When modeling sheet metal parts you should attempt to use the sheet metal tools.. extrude really isn't one of those tools.. 

A ring can be easily made and flattened by using a contour flange feature. 

[Anonymous]

I don't know the k-factor, sorry. It doesn't have to be extremely precise, but it's still easier to get Inventor to do it for me, and I know it can, I've somehow done it in the past.

And look, man, your semi-lecturing me is all fine, but I'd rather you just lectured me;
do you have an actual solution as to how to make those rings using "sheet metal tools" and this contour flange thingie?
Because then just tell me.

I mean, there was really no reason I had to make this post, if you'd just told me straight up, instead of hinting at a solution.
"It can be easily made and flattened" is all fine and dandy, but I need to know how, not just that it's doable - and I'll be super grateful and thankful for it too.

Put the .ipt-files in this post, if they're still any help, sorry about that, didn't know.

[JDMather]

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@Anonymous wrote:

...but I need to know how, .....

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I recommend that  you start here.

[mcgyvr · Accepted solution]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Yea, it's set to the same measure.

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No its not.. 

Hit the "sheet metal defaults" button in the setup section of the Sheet Metal tab and uncheck use thickness from rule and set it to 10mm..

Then simply hit the "Create Flat Pattern" button.. and voila..

but yes ^^.. you have clearly skipped over any sort of learning a program and just jumped right it..

Inventor is a professional program and requires a professional level of training.. Ignore that and expect "user hostile"

[Anonymous]

Is there a specific video you mean, or are you just using this to plug your series?

Seriously, can you not just explain how to make a cylindrical object into a flat shape?
What is it with you people?

[Anonymous]

Guess that must've happened while undoing some other stuff - yea, because I did that after trying to fit planes on the end and I removed them again when it didn't work, sorry, I thought it was set up right.

It worked!
Thanks a lot! 🙂

And no, I've had like, two months of practice using Inventor, using all sorts of books, don't be condescending and tell me I've "obviously not" just because I can't remember every **** feature I was taught like eight months ago, as part of a professional school program.
Don't be a **** to people just because they're asking for your help.
So we didn't learn every sheet metal feature, that obviously means I have no idea how to use Inventor at all.
And it *is* user hostile either way, just because something is professional doesn't have to be overly advanced - there's many things in Inventor I wonder at "why the multiple clicks?" or "why can't I just cancel this easier?" - but maybe it all makes sense when I've used it for 10 years.

Will be finding a different place to ask my questions though, you guys are really aggressive and unfriendly, geez.

[Anonymous]

Double posto!

[JDMather]

Your instructor should have covered this stuff in your class.

You need to go through all of them before you will be ready to tackle your simple problem.

Once you understand the basics - such as constraining a sketch - then I can explain exactly how to solve your problem.

[Anonymous]

I understand the basics.
What's with you people - why are you so elitist and hostile?

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

I opened your Ringie.ipt and saw that your extrusion 1 thickness is 10mm.

What you need to do is, Go to your Sheet Metal Defaults on the ribbon, uncheck Use Thickness from Rule, Enter 10mm in the thickness, and select OK.

Back to the Ribbon Select Create Flat Pattern. Done.

Now in the Browser you will see Folded Model and a Flat Pattern

That unfold command is for temporary unfold sheet metal do a cut then refold the model.

Hope this helps.

[mcgyvr]

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@Anonymous wrote:

What is it with you people?

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give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

[Anonymous]

That's no excuse to be this harsh to people.
You could word yourselves less elitist and come down from your ivory towers, really.

Didn't make me want to seek help in here again is for sure 😞

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the help and for being the first user in here to not treat me like I was some gnat insect only here to bother you all 😄
It *did* help and it *did* work, so kudos and a "accept as solution" to you, good sir.

[JDMather]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I understand the basics.

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The evidence would seem to indicate that you do not know the most basic of techniques - constraining a sketch.

To solve the problem.

Start a new Sheet Metal part file.

Sketch a rectangle at the origin and dimension as shown.

Attach your file here.

[Anonymous]

Ah, so because we've not learned to use sheet metal, I don't understand the
basics.

What a nice way to keep a beginner interested and wanting to come back,
just shout at him.

Look at the chosen solution; that's how you help someone. And even wishing
me good luck.

Arrogant ****.

[JDMather]

Ok, then just create a rectangle as shown - it doesn't matter if it is in sheet metal environment or in standard modeling environment.

Then we can move on to learning the sheet metal tools.

But first, we need to create a rectangle.

[Anonymous]

Now, I did open your Skitse 03 model. 

I see why Dr. Mathers wants to help you. Here is why.

Say you want to made your stand a little larger in diameter or a little taller. With if modeled correctly it would take changing a couple parameters and it would be done. With your model and so many unconstrained sketches as soon as you try to change some thing your model is going to blow up.

Dr. Mathers is trying to give you a free lesson in Inventor that will get you started in the right direction. It would be in your best interrest to take avantage of it.

Just trying to help you.