Sheet Metal Part Decomposition Procedure?

[whf]

Hi All,

This is an issue that we run into very very frequently...we're designing a bent shape that would be easier to make in multiple parts. When it comes down to actually making it, say for this square-to-round that I've attached, we want to do the part in two folded pieces. But, to go from the 'conceptual' single bent shape takes more time and effort than it would just to go out and bend the thing myself. This renders Inventor more or less just a cute toy and not very useful for making actual bent sheet metal shapes. WHERE IS SHEET-METAL MULTIBODY?!?!? (yes, I know it doesn't exist yet...that was just me typing out in vain..)

So, for say this otherwise simple square-to-round, what would be the best/quickest/easiest way to go about decomposing it into 2 separate halves with a nice lap joint? Thank you..

[jonathan.landeros]

One way I think you could do it would be to "Convert to Standard Part" (on the model tab), then split the part into multiple bodies.

Then use make components to send the two halves into their own sheet metal parts. I did a 5 min test, and they unfolded fine.

Hi All,

This is an issue that we run into very very frequently...we're designing a bent shape that would be easier to make in multiple parts. When it comes down to actually making it, say for this square-to-round that I've attached, we want to do the part in two folded pieces. But, to go from the 'conceptual' single bent shape takes more time and effort than it would just to go out and bend the thing myself. This renders Inventor more or less just a cute toy and not very useful for making actual bent sheet metal shapes. WHERE IS SHEET-METAL MULTIBODY?!?!? (yes, I know it doesn't exist yet...that was just me typing out in vain..)

So, for say this otherwise simple square-to-round, what would be the best/quickest/easiest way to go about decomposing it into 2 separate halves with a nice lap joint? Thank you..