Create flat sheet for cutting

I have created a boat hull using 3d mesh modeling. Now I wish to flatten the hull out so I can cut and fold sheet to design. Any help would be great.

I would think trying to do something like this with plain AutoCAD would be difficult if not impossible to do. It would be like asking AutoCAD to unfold a metalwork HVAC transition piece so that a pattern could be created. Just my opinion. I could be wrong.

I have to agree with ReMark.

Although I have subscribed to this thread, I'm eager to see if it is possible.

I design stairs, and would been keen to see if it is possible to flat develop a helical staircase stringer. The time it would save me would be astronomical.

Have a look at the demo-videos at

http://www.ant-ares.de

Regards

Jochen

Try using the demo of SmartUnfold from http://www.solid3dtech.com/Products.html to see if it will work for you. I used it a while back to unfold some parts that were twisted so we could cut them out of plywood, and it worked like a charm. It's worth the $300 if you do this kind of thing often.

I would think trying to do something like this with plain AutoCAD would be difficult if not impossible to do. It would be like asking AutoCAD to unfold a metalwork HVAC transition piece so that a pattern could be created. Just my opinion. I could be wrong.

I tried this too a number of years ago on a different project using one of the 3D type softwares such as Rhino. You could go one direction, but not the other. I know it stated you needed to cite the cutting angle(s) very-very accurately.

Wm.

Try using the demo of SmartUnfold from http://www.solid3dtech.com/Products.html to see if it will work for you. I used it a while back to unfold some parts that were twisted so we could cut them out of plywood, and it worked like a charm. It's worth the $300 if you do this kind of thing often.

Going to try this out 2morro, it sounds interesting.

Thank "the Chuckster"

Inventor Pro is ideal for this but considerably more then $300 for SmartUnfold.

KC

Inventor Pro is ideal for this but considerably more then $300 for SmartUnfold.

 

KC

There must be a thousand programs out there that can do this.

Just not Autocad. (as usual)

I think I would PM Mr. Mather (JD Mather).

I have seen a couple of his "unfolds", great results.

I believe Mr. Mather uses Inventor.

There must be a thousand programs out there that can do this.

Just not Autocad. (as usual)

Apples and Oranges... AutoCad was not designed for that kind of work. They are 2 different animals.

KC

Inventor Pro is ideal for this...

Does not require Pro, standard will do flat patterns, (but not LT).

It can be done with vanilla AutoCAD with a bit of manual effort but no bend allowance (metal stretches on the outside of bend, compresses in the inside radius - the neutral plane is offset depending on thickness, bend radius, bend angle and material used). These calculations can also be done by hand or taken from Machineries' Handbook. When I say, "A bit of effort" you should probably read, "more effort than most would be willing to expend in learning correct method and then implimenting it."

Apples and Oranges... AutoCad was not designed for that kind of work. They are 2 different animals.

 

KC

Erm, yes I know, thats what i'm saying.

Great answer Mr. Mather!

For light weight (thin gage sheetmetal) we seldom considered bend allowances.

Heavy "stuff" we had too; i.e.: 2 x 2 x 1/4" thick formed 90° angle, 3 1/2" blank to start

(1 3/4" ID x 1 3/4" ID x 1/4" thick plate = 3 1/2" wide blank).

Of course that would depend on the radius of the 90° bend. We would form a sample piece then measure and adjust the shear size as required.

Some old school, most wouldn't have a clue.