I need help shelling a part!!!

[JD Mather]

Because you are doing the Intersection extrusion - you didn't need to create Work Plane1 for Sketch2, you could have done Sketch2 on the XZ origin plane.

 

Looks like you got the idea on that part of the problem.

Hollar back if you run into problems with the Derived Component (hint - if it isn't trivially easy, probably doing something wrong)

[JD Mather]

I just realized I forgot an important point, but we'll wait and see if you have any problems before bringing it up.

[MKR]

Alright JD, on the manage tab I have been trying the "derive" command, "make part" command, and the "make components" command and I am still not seeing how to derive components from surface body. So yeah, I think I am doing something wrong.

[JD Mather]

Start a new part file.

Derive Component and select the "master" file that you created of the "assembly" as a single part.

In the dialog box you will get option to derive the body as solid or composite surface.

You will do this in 4 different files - one for each part.

In each file Thicken the appropriate inside face towards the outside .125 This will give you your four parts.

[MKR]

Okay, JD, you have explained it pretty much just the same as wikihelp has. I have referred back in forth between you and wikihelp trying to figure out this derived component tool. I have opened a new file as a sheet metal part.ipt, I goto the manage tab, and select derive. I then open up the file that has the finished product and it opens up the derive dialog box. In the dialog box I first select "body as a work surface" under the derive style and then I choose to select "click Select from Base to allow graphical selection of components." I go through and select the whole top rail/surface while holding the ctrl button until the whole surface is selected; after I finish my selections I click on the accept selections option. It will allow me to click "ok" at the bottom of the dialog box. Inventor will then open up my new part file and insert the entire object, not just my selection. I do not get it, why can I not just derive my selection???? I am attaching what happens after I select just the top section.

 

It seems so simple, but I am missing something somewhere.....I'm going to continue to keep clicking on different **** to see if I can figure it out on my own, but any help will be much appreciated.

derived part attempt.ipt

[JD Mather]

You have not done anything wrong.

Because it will be a little difficult to select faces on the inside to thicken, you could go to Delete Face (on the 3D Model tab) and delete the surfaces you don't need. (you don't need to delete all of them - only the ones that will give you clear access to the inside surfaces of one of the sides).

 

There are a couple of tricks that avoid all of this work - but it is more complicated for me to explain than this manual work method.

[MKR]

Thanks JD, that part was easy. The thicken part was easy too. I figured out how to save copy as a .dxf file and open the file in autocad to have my flat view there. This is where I get to my final question on this issue... I ran into one issue with converting to flat pattern on the top rail only; it didn't want to fully flatten the drawing so when you open it in autocad it doesn't look as needed. Am I just going to have to redraw the lower section in autocad to get what I need or is there a better way to do this in inventor?

 

JD you have been a major help and have saved me much valuable time; thank you so much.Top rail.ipt

[MKR]

Well JD, do you have any suggestions on how to further flatten out the above attachment? It is a tricky one (for me anyhow!)