bending a part converted to sheet metal

[andar424]

Hey guys! I have a print from a customer of a part that gets made as a flat piece of sheet metal and then either rolled or bent in some fashion for it's final operation. I started with a regular IPT, added the holes and other items, and then converted to a sheet metal object thinking I could give it a point to bend the plate around, but I'm not seeing anything like this.

 

Is there any way I can do this? Basically want to bend a plate about a radius.

 

Thanks guys!

[MarkFlayler]

You can do this with the Fold command. You will need a line across the part to fold it. If you have trouble, might be best for you to attach your example.

[andar424]

I just tried using the contour roll command and setting the sheet metal defaults with the thickness of the plate, and then giving the angle. That works to give me the rolled part, but I then can't add holes or remove material. Inventor tells me when I make a flat pattern that changes won't reflect in the folded model. Any way around this?

 

Mark, does the line that I fold on need to be on a face on my part? Or can I make a new sketch to give it the proper center line/radius I need?

[MarkFlayler]

First question, no there isn't a way around this. What happens in the flat, stays in the flat. However you can Unfold/Refold the part to add features.

 

 

Second question on Fold: The line you fold with does have to be on a face of the part, that can be a new sketch or an existing line you used to create your material.

[andar424]

Got it!!! Using the contour roll, unfold, and refold!

 

Unfold after doing the contour roll, then add holes and what not, then refold.

 

Thanks for the help!