How would I convert this part to sheet metal?

[Mike Gera]

I'm struggling with the attached part.

I need to convert it to sheet metal so that I can generate a flat pattern for the blank.

Any ideas?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[bnemec]

what version of SW is that saved in? I cannot open.

[Frederick_Law]

Remodel it in sheetmetal. It'll take longer to "convert".

[Mike Gera]

what version of SW is that saved in? I cannot open.

2021 SP 5.1

[Mike Gera]

Remodel it in sheetmetal. It'll take longer to "convert".

I tried to but couldn't figure out how.

[SamSpade]

Your part doesn't seem to have any sheet metal operations (no break forming or roll forming). Looks like something that would require a stamping operation or something similar. You can try creating a conic surface and then flattening that.

[Lucas]

Try using this method:

[gupta9665]

You can use the swept flange as well.

[HerrTick]

So you have a feature called "halving cut" that doesn't actually cut the feature in half. That's problem number 17.

Why not just make a 180° revolve?

If you make the cut edges through the center axis you get a straight edge that can be used in the convert operation.

[HerrTick]

Wait... you won't have a straight edge. This is a revolved arc, resulting in a torus. Can not convert.

[Mike Gera]

You can use the swept flange as well.

Hey Deepak,

I tried that this morning. File attached. It will not let me flatten.

Any ideas?

Thanks for your help!

[HerrTick]

Before you waste too much more time trying to flatten...

WHY must you flatten? Are you building the tool? Are you purchasing flats to form in-house?

If someone else is building the tool, don't do the flat for them. Good toolmakers have better tools for the job. Poor toolmakers don't have the right tools for... most things. The best toolmakers won't even look at your flat.

[Mike Gera]

So you have a feature called "halving cut" that doesn't actually cut the feature in half. That's problem number 17.

Why not just make a 180° revolve?

If you make the cut edges through the center axis you get a straight edge that can be used in the convert operation.
image.png

Thanks. I tried that. It gives me a "No bends found." error.

[Lucas]

Hey Deepak,

I tried that this morning. File attached. It will not let me flatten.

Any ideas?

Thanks for your help!

The problem is that you are using an arc as a profile, it must be a line.

[Lucas]

Loft-Bend makes a different Flatten geometry. (I converted the inner arc into a sketch for it and deleted the body)

[gupta9665]

Hey Deepak,

I tried that this morning. File attached. It will not let me flatten.

Any ideas?

Thanks for your help!

I would go with what @Lucas has already stated. Hope that helps.

[HerrTick]

Be careful substituting a loft for a revolve. You are substituting a tolerant feature (B-surface) for an analytic (torus). You may come close, but never exact. Up to you to decide how close is close enough.