Rolled Flange on Circular Case 2

[21Pom]

Hi All,

I'm new here so please bare with me.

OK, my problems are:-

1/ How to create a flat patterm of a circular steel case.

2/ How to add a rolled flange to the case.

I have used 'Extend' and 'Lofted Flange to create my case, both work well, but the two points above ellude me. Any ideas?

Best Rgds,
Pom Dave

 

[rollupswx]

Attach the ipt file of what you have completed so far. Include url to something similar if possible - the description you have given so far is too wide open for me to understand your design intent.

 

[EngAddict]

Select face - create flat pattern

You will probably find your rolled flange must be a separate part, that is then welded or riveted to your case. Think about how it will be made.

Also you probably wouldn't want to use lofted flange for a case. Like rollupswx said can you post a picture.

 

[21Pom]

Hi rollupswx,

OK, I've managed to get my case made up and I get a flat pattern. What I did was to sketch basically an elogated 'U' shape, and since I want to use 3mm steel, I have made the corners curved using a 3mm radius circle.

I then revolved the sketch through 359.5 degrees thus giving me a break. The case then unfolds.

(See attached file)

There must be a better, more correct way of doing this so any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

My next challenge is to place holes around each flange, can't seem to get that rat the moment.

Best Rgds,
Pom Dave

 

[21Pom]

Hi EngAddict,

Your message just came in. I've put up an ipt file, I hope, for you to look at.

As I said before I'm new here and just embarking on Inventor so I have books and stuff all over my desk trying to get a good handle on it's potential, which is massive.

I like the feel of it but like all things new, it takes a bit of getting used to and what one needs to do to create proper drawings/images.

Best Rgds,
Pom Dave

 

[rollupswx]

Your first sketch is not fully constrained and modeled with respect to symmetry about the origin.

Your part doesn't actually flatten.

You are missing a bending zone at least on one end - and there is an easier method. I will post example when I get a chance.

 

[rollupswx]

See the attached - in general you should use Sheet Metal tools to create sheet metal parts, especially if you don't know how to use Inventor.

 

[rollupswx]

The fact that you did not even realize that you completely missed the bends in your Thicken is quite scary?

 

[21Pom]

Hi rollupswx,

Like I said I'm new to Inventor and 3D ingeneral. I'm not bad at 2D drafting and can turn out some pretty good drawings it's when I come to 3D I lose it.

Thanks for your help in the matter and I take your points on board. I right in rotating around slightly less than 360 degrees in order to get split in the case or can one use the Rip command to make the break?

Best Rgds,
Pom Dave

 

[rollupswx]

Since this one has 3 faces to Rip, I'm not sure that would work - but I didn't try it to see.

 

[mcgyvr]

You should always post the version of Inventor you are using. I have 2011 and could model that part much easier but don't know if you could even open my model since I don't know what version of the software you have.

 

[mcgyvr]

Just saw the model rollupswx attached.. That's how you should create it.. Contour roll feature in sheet metal environment. 1 feature and you're done.

 

[21Pom]

Hi mcgyvr,

The version I have is 2010.

I agree that the model that rollupswx has supplied is the correct way but I cannot seem to get it to work. First of all if I start with a complete circle on my sketch Contour Flange will not select the profile. If I put a break in it then it will select. That's fine but then I strike a new problem.

I use contur Flange to get the case length and thickness but when I come to use Contour Roll I get the error
'No unconsumed sketches on the part'.

Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong

Best Rgds,
Pom Dave

 

[rollupswx]

Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong

Attach your latest file here.

 

[21Pom]

Hi rollupswx

Attached file as requested.

I don't seem to be having much luck with this. Hope you or others can help.

Best Rgds,
Pom Dave

 

[EngAddict]

Well your first problem, and the one that was in your other part, is that your sketch is not fully (or even partially) constrained! Always start your sketched constrained symmetrically about your origin, when the geometry turns black it is fully constrained (except lines from fixed points).

Contour flange and contour roll are different commands, both of which require an unconsumed sketch. A contour flange is basically an extrusion of a profile, whereas a contour roll is essentially a sweep of a profile which is able to be flattened.

Why do you want to apply contour roll to this part, I don't see what you want to roll from here? Do you want it to look like the other part? If so do it the way rollupswx showed you.

Do you have special equipment to actually roll this part? 3mm is pretty thick to flange the ends after you have rolled the barrel? We used to make industrial axial fans but they all had welded flanges. Plus generally your flanges will need to be thicker than your casing.

See attached for fully constrained sketch. Be more specific about what you want to change in the current part.

 

[21Pom]

Hi EngAddict,

Yes we have access to a Flange Rolling machine that can actually roll up to 5mm thick steel casings with up to a 50mm folled up flange. The idea of using welded flanges is, I believe, a much better way to go and makes to case much more robust. We use them on Mining fans with an additional flange through the centre of the case, or there abouts.

As for my problem - GOT IT!!

It took a while for the penny to drop and for the old grey matter to get going but I got there in the finish.

For your reference I attach a G.A. cad drawing of a set of roof units we supplied back in 2008.

Thanks again to you and rollupswx for your help

Best Rgds,
Pom Dave