Multiple bends in flatpattern
Hi,
I am making a tube with a neck. i'd like to make a flatpattern with it, but is it possible? So far, i only manage to make it fold out the tube, but not the neck.
I know that it technically schouldn't be possible, but in real life, we make this out of one piece, but ofcourse the material will stretch by the neck.
I've attached a couple of screenshots. Hope you can help :D
- Mathias
3 Answers
You can use surface flatten (use surface as midsurface of tube). Also advice you to make fillets for more accuracy
Technically this absolutely is possible. However, it is unlikely that the computer will give you an accurate flat pattern.
Like what StrongDinosaur did, Inventor will flatten the part and give a very similar flat layout. However my gut feeling tells me this is not at all what would actually be required in the real world. This is one you will need to develop manually based upon the manufacturing method. There are multiple ways to make this part and the flat pattern will be different for each one.
I’ve done similar flat patterns and I can tell you it will take some trial and error. Develop and actually fabricate the manufacturing device (die set, roll former, etc.). Then create your best guess for a flat blank. Cut it, and try it on the actual device. Then go back and modify the flat blank based upon the result. It will take several iterations to get it right.
Why don't you just make from 2 parts, rolled sheet metal tube and a disc, and weld them together?
