problem creating flat pattern

[psych]

I cannot create flat pattern with this. It is elliptacle at one end and circular at the other and the thickness is 1/4". any help would be appreciated. a newbie to Inventor

ellipse-circle-cone.ipt

[JD Mather]

There are a whole series of problems with this.

I will cover them as I get time.

The first problem is that your ellipse section is not constant thickness.

There is a true mathematical ellipse offset solution and a constant thickness offset solution (not a true ellipse).

see pg12 Tip #32 http://home.pct.edu/~jmather/skillsusa%20university.pdf

[JD Mather]

The second problem is that when cut flat and the rolled up (real world process) the cut edges are perpendicular to the flat (your are not becuase of the way you created it).

[JD Mather]

The 3rd problem is that when you roll up a flat sheet the edges of the rip are not parallel - they form a "pie" shape going to zero at the center of axis.

[JD Mather]

ellipse-circle-cone_jd.ipt

The final problem is that you are not using the Inventor sheet metal tools - and therefore doing wayyy too much work (see attached).

[psych]

Thanks JD

I just started using Inventor and I'm on my own, I will be going to a training class at the end of september. right now I am not using this for any real work and I am sqeezing in training myself at work between my other jobs here using autocad and programming the cnc machines. I am looking at tutorials to try and find the best ones for sheet metal because that is what I will be doing the most of. I STILL have to learn the basics for Inventor.

thanks again

[JD Mather]

Thanks JD

I am looking at tutorials to try and find the best ones for sheet metal because that is what I will be doing the most of. I STILL have to learn the basics for Inventor.

thanks again

I assume I linked this one earlier? http://home.pct.edu/~jmather/skillsusa%20university.pdf

in addition look for tutorials specific to sheet metal here http://au.autodesk.com

You can use standard tools for sheet metal (and often that is the only way or best way) but you have to really understand what you are doing.

Often this will involve Thicken of surface bodies.

I have posted many examples here in the past.

You might search here on sheet metal.

[JD Mather]

Clamp.ipt Here is one I just did for someone else.

I can keep posting examples as we are doing sheet metal in class if you are interested.