Chapter 10

Sheet Metal Design

After completing this chapter, you will be able
to perform the following:
Start the Autodesk Inventor sheet metal environment
Modify settings for sheet metal design
Create sheet metal parts
Modify sheet metal parts to match design
requirements
Create sheet metal flat patterns
Create drawing views of sheet metal parts
Chapter 10 - Objectives
Sheet Metal Fabrication
Sheet Metal Examples
Enclosures
Brackets
Structures or Frames
Sheet Metal Fabrication
Bend Tables
L=A+B-x Construction
L Unfolded Length
A Length of folded face 1
B Length of folded face 2
x Adjustment from bend table
Measurements A and B are to the intersection of the
extended outer faces on either side of the bend.
This intersection is used when the angle of the bend
is less than or equal to 90 degrees.
Sheet Metal Fabrication
Bend Tables
L=A+B-x Construction
L Unfolded Length
A Length of folded face 1
B Length of folded face 2
x Adjustment from bend table
Use these measurements when the bend angle is greater
than 90 degrees. The measurements are parallel to the
face, and tangent to the outer surface of the bend. The
same formula is used to determine the unfolded length of
the part.
Sheet Metal Parts
Sheet Metal Design
Methods
Folded State
Flat State
Disjointed Solids
Shelled Parts
Sheet Metal Parts
Sheet Metal Part Template(s)
Convert part to Sheet Metal part
Model tab
or Environment tab
Sheet Metal Tools
Sheet Metal Rules
Click the Sheet Metal tab > Setup panel
Sheet metal specific parameters driven by rules
Sheet Metal Tools
Sheet Metal Styles
Bend Tab
Sheet Metal Tools
Sheet Metal Styles
Bend Transitions
Controls the intersection of edges across a
bend in the flattened sheet.
Sheet Metal Tools
Sheet Metal Styles
Corner Tab
Relief Shape
Jacobi Corner
Sheet Metal Tools
Sheet Metal Unfold Method
Linear KFactor Value
Bend Table
Custom Equation Method
Additional control to unfold model
Bend Compensation
Bend Allowance
Bend Deduction
KFactor
Sheet Metal Tools
Sheet Metal Defaults
After you define sheet metal rules
Use the Sheet Metal Defaults tool to select the rule
that is active for the sheet metal part
Sheet Metal Tools
Sheet Metal Face
Extrudes a closed profile a distance equal to the
sheet metal thickness
Unfold Options
Relief Options
Sheet Metal Tools
Contour Flange
Created from an open sketch profile
Bends are added at sharp intersections
Sheet Metal Tools
Flange
Creates a sheet metal face and bend to an
existing face
Extends the full length of the selected edge
Corner Edits click glyph in corner
Exercise 10-1
Creating Sheet Metal Parts
Contour Roll
Create from an open sketch profile
No radius required between sketch lines
First or secondary feature
Unfolded
Flat pattern
Lofted Flange
Create transitions from one shape to another
Two sketches
Output
Die form
Press break
Rip
Open a closed sheet metal part
Rip options
One sketch point
Two sketch points
End points
Work point
Midpoint of an edge
Exercise 10-2
Lofted Flanges, Contour Roll, and Rips

Sheet Metal Tools
Hem
Eliminate sharp edges
Strengthen an open edge of a face
Material is folded back over a face with a small gap
Exercise 10-3
Hems
Sheet Metal Tools
Fold
Turns a flat pattern into a folded model
Add folds at sketched lines
Sheet Metal Tools
Bend
Child objects of other features
When two faced connect
Connect disjointed face
Exercise 10-4
Modifying Sheet Metal Parts

Sheet Metal Tools
Cut
Sheet Metal tab > Modify panel > Cut
Distance of the cut is equal to the Thickness
parameter
Project Flat Pattern
Cut Across Bend
Define Distance
Sheet Metal Tools
Unfold/Refold
Unfold selected or all bends
Add feature
Refold selected or all bends
Exercise 10-5
Cut Across Bend
Sheet Metal Tools
Corner Seam
Created when three faces meet
Create mitered gaps between coplanar faces
Sheet Metal Tools
Corner Round
Sheet Metal specific Fillet tool
Corner Chamfer
Sheet Metal specific Chamfer tool
Sheet Metal Tools
Create Punch
iFeature
Center Point
Parameters
Punch ID
Custom Depth
Simplified Sketch
Sheet Metal Tools
Punch Tool
Center Point required
Creates Cuts and 3D
Deformations
Dimples
Louvers
Set Punch Folder
Applications Options > iFeature tab
Flat Pattern
Representation
Exercise 10-6
Punch Tool
Sheet Metal Tools
Flat Pattern
Represents the starting point for sheet metal
part manufacturing
Creates a 3D model of the unfolded part
Displayed in a 2D drawing view
Flat Pattern Browser
Flat Pattern Extents, area
Sheet Metal Tools
Flat Pattern
Extents, area
Edit Definition
Punch Representation
Flat Patten Features
Effect Flat Pattern Only



Sheet Metal Tools
Common Tools Sheet Metal tab
Holes
Work Features
Feature Patterns
Mirror
Parameters


Detailing Sheet Metal Designs
Detailing Sheet Metal Designs
3D Model and Flat Patterns
Exercise 10-7
Documenting Sheet Metal Designs
Applying Your Skills
Skill Exercise 10-1

Checking Your Skills
1. The base feature of a sheet metal part is most often a:
a. Revolve
b. Face
c. Extrude
d. Flange
2. What is the correct procedure to change the edges connected by a bend feature?
a. Suppress the existing bend, and add a new bend.
b. Delete the existing bend, and add a new bend.
c. Edit the bend, and select the new edges.
d. Create a corner seam between the desired faces.
3. Which command would you use to create a full-length rectangular face off of an
existing face edge?
a. Flange
b. Extrude
c. Face
d. Bend
4. What action is required to update a flat pattern model?
a. Right-click on the flat pattern in the browser, and select Update.
b. Erase the existing flat pattern, and recreate it.
c. Create a new flat pattern drawing view.
d. The flat pattern is updated automatically.
Continued.
Checking Your Skills - continued
5. True__ False__ Sheet metal parts can contain features created with Autodesk
Inventor modeling tools.
6. True__ False__ Sheet Metal Style settings cannot be overridden; a new style must be
created for different settings.
7. True__ False__ During the creation of a sheet metal face, the face can extend to
meet another face and connect to it with a bend.
8. True__ False__ A sheet metal cut that used the Distance extents option must be
created equal to the Thickness parameter.
9. What is a common term for a three-bend intersection?
10. True__ False__ When creating a sheet metal punch, you can select an alternate 2D
representation to display in flat patterns and drawing views.