Autodesk Inventor - Sheet Metal Base Features

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How to start creating a model in Sheet Metal.
This Blog will show how to create basic Sheet Metal feature. To start creating a Sheet Metal model in Autodesk Inventor.

Sheet Metal Feature

Base Features

Face:
The face feature turns a closed profile to create an Sheet Metal Sheet, with the thickness from the sheet metal defaults. To create this, start a sketch on a plane. Create the closed profile you want. And make sure it is fully constrained.
Then select Face, and select the profile you have sketched. You can flip the offset if needed.



Contour Flange:
The Contour Flange Feature creates a contour flange from an open profile.

To create this. Start a sketch on a plane. Create an open profile. And make sure it is fully constrained.

Then select Contour Flange. Then select the open profile. You can select the offset the Thickness direction. And change the bend radius is needed.


Lofted Flange:
The Lofted Flange tool creates Sheet Metal parts lofted between 2 profiles. Shown below is a Square to Round. To show as an example.

To create this. Create a sketch on a plane. For example a square. Then offset a plane, from the plane you sketched the square on. Offset the distance needed. Then, start a sketch on the plane you offset. Draw a circle. Make sure both sketches are fully constrained.


Then select Lofted Flange. Select profile 1 (Square), then profile 2 (Circle). Select as New Solid if needed. Then select offset direction. Then you need to select your output. You have 2 options. Die formed, or Press Brake. Select depending on which process you will be using. The image below has is being created using Press Brake. On Press Brake you have the option of Facet Control. This controls how the Facet Distance or Facet Angle. Which depending on your input, controls how many bends it will take to bend the part.

You will also need to place a Rip to enable the Square to Round to be Flat Patterned. Which i will explain in Creating Secondary Flange Features Blog.

Contour Roll:
The Contour Roll feature. The Contour Roll feature Rolls Sheet Metal around an axis.

To create the Contour Roll feature. Start a sketch on a plane. Create the open profile you want. Then create a center line. From this center line dimension the distance you want the Contour Flange to roll around. As seen in the image below. Make sure sketch is fully constrained.


Then select Contour Roll. Select open profile. Select Center line as Axis. Change offset direction if needed. Change Bend Radius if different from Sheet Metal Defaults. Then sect the Rolled Angle. This is the angle the Contour Roll with roll around.

Thank you for reading,

Thomas Savage


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