Generating flat patterns from rolled profiles

scott_walker796

I am looking to somehow derive measurements of a rolled section of material, so that I may laser cut its blank size while flat to then be rolled to the finished design. I can model the finished part but don't know how to "flatten" it so that I can take measurements or generate a drawing to put into the other tool pathing software for laser cutting. 

glen_dewsbury

Not sure what the difficulty is. The sheet metal tool will provide this.
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/44ebd861ddb9841558cc30c8/w/27ecba75d1d4ef9ee3244364/e/f2fe50046a6f0638773949a7

matthew_stacy

@scott_walker796, what does your formed geometry look like?  If you share the URL to a Public document you'll likely find help in this forum.

scott_walker796

First time asking something here, but bear with me. 
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/728cdc12963545ec1d3d10e1/w/b49176ac2469d0f5e27eef99/e/d33e5866408864e4a52424c4

In this file, if I've done it right, the green part, because of its variable width on the curve, what it would look like if flat instead of rolled into a ring. 

GWS50

Have a look at this version. You can extrude a single line from the sketch and then give it thickness
Use the 'extrude' option in the sheet metal part and extrude 'up to face' option. You'll need a split in the sketch so it can be unfolded, in other words the sketch should not be a complete circle

(The flat view is on the sheet metal TAB on the right hand side of the screen)

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/d09021b0a6960f6f5b3e1aa6/w/980268d2b3009f40b9c93c3a/e/f8c889fcfc6ad4fbc82e749a

dirk_van_der_vaart

@GWS50 about the same
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/bf0d38e31ac6e25eb8cab1a7/w/85910e4f7f77de943f8b793e/e/b3798844fe462ea51d131f33

scott_walker796

yes thank you! this looks about what I would like to do, am I able to convert the shape in the right window to its own .dxf? Also, how do I even get this "Sheet metal context" menu? I haven't had to add things to that side bar yet. 

dirk_van_der_vaart

https://learn.onshape.com/courses/simultaneous-sheet-metal