How to unfold sheet metal with no linear edges?

[MattP]

In SW05 SP5.0 I have a sheet metal part that is conically shaped (using Lofted Bends) with other added features. I can unfold this into a flat pattern without any trouble. I have derived a part from this shape that will be completely round and free of any linear edges or flat faces. When I try to unfold this, the sheet metal feature is looking for a new fixed edge/face but I have none. I have tried creating an axis or selecting sketch lines but cannot satisfy the sheet metal feature. Any ideas?



(Insert witty signature line here)

 

[Nella95]

Now, This is wrong, but I always create a straight flange to suppress. It seems to work.

 

[dezignstuff]

this is a sloppy hack, but it shows a flat and a formed version of the part:

http://www.dezignstuff.com\flat.SLDPRT

 

[smcadman]

Search your SW install location for "offset cone.sldprt", and you can see an example of an offset cone. Why do you need a part without the seam visible? Either make a configuration with the sheet metal version suppressed and a new cone as a solid model (not sheet metal), and link the dims of the top diameter, bottom diameter, and height.

The reason I ask is we know the part will be welded, so we do not make a 2nd version without a seam.

I know, I know, why ask why.

By the way, you will need another configuration anyway because SW cannot unfold this correctly. You can find out what the flat pattern is suppose to be, and change the other configuration until the flat pattern dims match. You can enter the formulas in Excel to find the flat pattern like this screenshot:

http://img425.imageshack.us/img425/8305/excelcopysheet14ps.jpg

(Ignore the tabs, that was for a macro I requested, and Handleman created one for changing sheet pages quickly.)

Flores
SW06 SP4.1