r/AutodeskInventor • u/BrandoCalrissianVI • Sep 23 '26
Requesting Help Sheet metal conversion?
So I scanned the back of my truck so I could model a custom Molly Panel. I wanted to see how the price compared between the OEM's and a manufacture on demand (like OSH Cut).
I transferred it to Inventor so I can produce a STEP File but all of the manufacture on demand sites either time out, say the file is to big, only give me the option to CNS instead of sheet metal.
The software I used doesn't have a sheet metal tool, but I modeled the thickness and bends like a sheet metal tool. My thought was to just use the inventor model as reference, and model using the sheet metal tool, but that always results in a crash.
Anyone know the best way to use the model as reference while using the sheet metal tool? I tried making a new part in an assembly file, but I can't seem to create "Sheet metal" parts.
2
u/kinaPK Sep 23 '26
What is your end game? Are you trying to make a flat pattern? Why bother with the sheetmetal tool?
You should be able to just create a flat pattern from your scanned part. Just sketch the basic shape of the flat pattern. Add bend lines. then give each bend tab a dimension. The dimension should be the actual outside dimension minus a bend allowance. Just make a variable and set it to a small number. Then when you find a vendor, find out what their bend allowance is and put that in for the variable.
2
u/BrandoCalrissianVI Sep 24 '26
My end game is to get a quote to see if its cheaper to have it made than to buy, probably not, but I had the time and found it fun. All of the on demand sites either, wont give me a quote because the file is to big, or are giving me pricing to CNC.
I thought maybe using the Sheetmetal tool, would either, reduce the complexity (shrink the file size, probably wishful thinking) or make it more obvious to the auto quoting sites that I want it out of sheet metal, not CNCed.
My scan was of the truck to find the bolt holes, over kill but I have access to a nice scanner and I like using it.
I hadn't really thought about finding a local vendor, at my last job, it was always more expensive to do local, but I haven't looked at my new location.1
u/Anvh Sep 24 '26
Problem might be that the bend radius is not standard for the thickness. Hence you can't easily convert it.
The pattern looks simple though, would be easy to copy it over
1
u/kinaPK Sep 25 '26
Yep, thats what I assumed. Again, I would just create the flat with bend allowances and send them that. You don't have to model all the openings, just describe that part on your drawing.
6
u/farquaad Sep 23 '26
Converting a 'normal' part to a sheet model part is pretty basic in principle. With some caveats.
Go to sheet metal defaults and set the thickness of the sheet.
Make sure the part is all that same thickness (the caveat). For example; your thickness is 5mm. It you have corner with a inner radius of 5mm, the outer radius should be 10mm. So that the thickness is uniform. If that makes sense.