Sheet metal - creating a sheet metal tube?

[dtompsett]

Ok... this sounds like it would be easy, but I sure can't figure it out.

I need to make a tube in sheet metal. Only reason for this is to generate a proper flat-pattern for our toolshop.

I've gone as far as drawing a 3D sketch of the tube (without thickness), and trying to 'face' it, but inventor doesn't see it as a closed body. The tube has to have a tiny split down the length (1/32") just to represent the gap needed to weld.

Am I making sense? Anyone know how to do what I'm trying to do?

30.7in OD (778mm), 1/4" steel plate. 7" tube length.

Inventor 2008.

 

[dtompsett]

Never mind. Figured it out... wasn't anything special.
-draw 1/4 x 7" rectangle
-revolve
-extrude a small slice down the length
-sheet metal styles set to 1/4"
-flat pattern. works fine.

Mod's feel free to delete.

 

[pgannon18]

Draw an arc (ID or OD of your pipe) with the 1/32" dimension between the ends (constrained appropriately of course) and use the contour flange command.