23 Replies Latest reply on Jan 26, 2012 6:08 AM by John Stoltzfus

Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)

Jonathan Ridley Jan 23, 2012 5:20 PM

I have the need to flatten surfaces to provide flat dielines for graphic production that go beyond what is possible with the Sheet metal features. Can I get some suggestions for other third party solutions or processes that I could go through to obtain them? Can Modo do this?

I am looking to get three flat surfaces so I can forward to Graphic Designers to create a decal. So I do not need a solid flat part of it, just a drawing of the flat surfaces to save out as AI files.

Thanks,

Jonathan

JR-Shape1-Flatten.SLDPRT.zip 79.7 KB
12454-Shape1b.mov 77.4 KB

Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)

Anna Wood Jan 23, 2012 3:24 PM (in response to Jonathan Ridley)

LogoPress, BlankWorks or 3D Quick Press.

http://www.logopress3.com/en/index.php

http://www.forming.com/index.php/solid-works/blankworks.html

http://www.3dquicktools.com/

Cheers,

Anna
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- Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)
  
  Jonathan Ridley Jan 23, 2012 6:29 PM (in response to Anna Wood)
  
  Thanks Anna and Mark,
  
  Any idea of how much these are? I am looking for something low cost. I also would consider sending parts out to someone who has this software to flatten for us, as we do not need to do this too often (4-6 times a year)
  
  Thanks,
  
  Jonathan
  
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  - Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)
    
    Anna Wood Jan 23, 2012 8:14 PM (in response to Jonathan Ridley)
    
    Give Ray Proeber at Accurate Die Design a call. They are a reseller for Logopress. He may be able to help you out.
    
    http://www.accuratediedesign.com/
    
    Rhino3D is very economical. You could use it for other things as well. http://www.rhino3d.com/ $995
    
    Cheers,
    
    Anna
    
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  - Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)
    
    Anna Wood Jan 23, 2012 8:16 PM (in response to Jonathan Ridley)
    
    I have also heard of folks using the FEA modules in SolidWorks to create flat patterns. Assign a material, mesh and the apply enough force to deform into a flat pattern.
    
    Cheers,
    
    Anna
    
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Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)

John Stoltzfus Jan 23, 2012 4:18 PM (in response to Jonathan Ridley)

Good afternoon Jonathan,

This looks like the pc I was working on this afternoon, however your video is very quick so I did have a problem viewing the entire pc.

Can you upload more info, sketch, solid model etc.....

Later,

John
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- Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)
  
  Jonathan Ridley Jan 23, 2012 5:18 PM (in response to John Stoltzfus)
  
  John I put the shape/part up for this post. Thanks
  
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Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)

1-4EQZK9 Jan 23, 2012 4:39 PM (in response to Jonathan Ridley)

Hi Jonathan,

Modo, to my knowledge, cannot do this. I concur with Anna's recommendations for a SW add-in product, the other alternative at sub $1K is Rhino3d which as the "Smash Feature."

Regards

Mark
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Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)

Chris Dordoni Jan 24, 2012 12:58 AM (in response to Jonathan Ridley)

Jonathan,

Is there a reason the surface needs to have compound curvature?

I think with some slight modification this could work as a sheet metal part, although I understand you may be locked into the shape as it is. If this will be done in paperboard or corrugated material, I think you may have a problem with the compound curvature, unless there is some molding/stamping happening as well.

I've used FormZ to do a lot of similar work, and could probably figure out the decal if the surface has to have the compound curvature.

Chris
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Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)

John Stoltzfus Jan 24, 2012 6:16 AM (in response to Jonathan Ridley)
Good morning Jonathan,

I'm not usre if this is what you want or not, but here are the dxf files and I do have the parts in dwg format.

Later,

John

Jonathon-1.DXF 27.4 KB

Jonathon-3.DXF 35.1 KB

Jonathon-4.DXF 17.3 KB

Jonathon-2.DXF 28.2 KB
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- Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)
  
  Jonathan Ridley Jan 24, 2012 3:05 PM (in response to John Stoltzfus)
  
  John,
  
  Hey thanks. Thats what I need. Now to forward to the graphic team and see if it will work as a label decal. What program did you use or process to get these?
  
  Jonathan
  
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  - Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)
    
    John Stoltzfus Jan 24, 2012 3:11 PM (in response to Jonathan Ridley)
    
    Good afternoon Jonathon,
    
    I used Solidworks to create the dxf files.
    
    You can do a free download of Draftsight, (www.draftsight.com), which is a free 2D drawing software, then you can open them up. I am not sure how to get it from the dxf files to the file format you need.
    
    Later,
    
    John
    
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    - Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)
      
      Brian Hoerner Jan 24, 2012 3:19 PM (in response to John Stoltzfus)
      
      John,
      
      what software did you use to generate the flat patterns?
      
      Brian
      
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      - Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)
        
        John Stoltzfus Jan 24, 2012 3:25 PM (in response to Brian Hoerner)
        
        Good afternoon Brian,
        
        The one and only:
        
        SolidWorks,
        
        John
        
        Jonathon-3.SLDPRT.zip 613.1 KB
        
        Jonathon-4.SLDPRT.zip 49.3 KB
        
        Jonathon-1.SLDPRT.zip 491.1 KB
        
        Jonathon-2.SLDPRT.zip 610.9 KB
        
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        Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)
        
        Jonathan Ridley Jan 24, 2012 3:32 PM (in response to John Stoltzfus)
        
        OK so dont keep the secret to yourself. How and please upload the parts / sheetmetal parts...etc. if you would be so kind.
        
        Thanks
        
        Jonathan
        
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        Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)
        
        John Stoltzfus Jan 24, 2012 4:04 PM (in response to Jonathan Ridley)
        
        Good afternoon Jonathan,
        
        No secrets, the reason I uploaded the parts in the flat as a dxf is because you have an earlier version of SolidWorks from the part that you uploaded.
        
        Above are the SW parts which are the SLDPRT.zip files
        
        I didn't mean to be evasive with your situation,
        
        Later,
        
        John
        
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        Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)
        
        Brian Hoerner Jan 24, 2012 4:01 PM (in response to John Stoltzfus)
        
        Ah, I thought you found a way to "unwrap" the surface easier, I normally use Rihino or others noted here, but your way sure can work at times.
        
        thanks boss!
        
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    - Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)
      
      Jonathan Ridley Jan 24, 2012 4:53 PM (in response to John Stoltzfus)
      
      John good afternoon to you,
      
      Thank you for your help with this. There is a step missing from all of this. I know how to make a simple .dxf file from a projected view of an object but you do not explain "how" you obtained the flattened state of the surface. From what I understand you can not use splines for sheetmetal which is the only way I know of to obtain a flattened state in SW. Please correct me if I am wrong.
      
      Thanks,
      
      Jonathan
      
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      - Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)
        
        John Stoltzfus Jan 25, 2012 6:02 AM (in response to Jonathan Ridley)
        
        Good morning Jonathan,
        
        It looks like I stuck my neck out on this and my head may be dangling, because of all the other posts are going off in another direction.
        
        If I were to build that assembly here it would be a welded sheet metal assembly. The outer pcs would be rolled to give it the S shape, first one way and then the other way, and we would attach the two sides to the bottom pc which would give the assembly structural integrity to mount the top pc. The top pc would have to be formed in a way that would twist it. Again assuming the top pc would be thin enough to attach and formed to the side pcs.
        
        I have just completed a design for twisted elbow yesterday, therefore my thinking was in that direction. You also mentioned that you need the flat development for graphics, there was nothing in your request in making the parts, that is why I just sent you the dxf files.
        
        Using SW you can use splines when you use lofted bends and two 3D sketches. If you only need the flat development and are struggling with it send it my way and I'll flatten it for you.
        
        Later,
        
        John
        
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        Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)
        
        Jonathan Ridley Jan 25, 2012 4:46 PM (in response to John Stoltzfus)
        
        Ok thanks. To flatten it, you don't state it but you must have a 3rd party application. Even Mark recommended a SW add-in package to do this. Thanks John, I will probably take you up on that offer.
        
        Jonathan
        
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        Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)
        
        John Stoltzfus Jan 26, 2012 6:08 AM (in response to Jonathan Ridley)
        
        Good morning Jonathan,
        
        Your welcome.
        
        You mention that I need a third party application to flatten the parts, No....
        
        What I used is SolidWorks sheet metal tools....
        
        Looking over this post really has me scratching my head, however you did ask for 3rd party solutions, so I guess that is where it went, and than it went into the manufacturing side of the product....
        
        Taking your part and flattening the four sides individually, you don't need 3rd party software, if you got SolidWorks.
        
        Later,
        
        John
        
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Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)

Roland Schwarz Jan 24, 2012 4:29 PM (in response to Jonathan Ridley)

Keep in mind that if you are flattening a non-gaussian surface, there is more than just "squishing". The resulting flat is also dependent on the material properties and thickness, among other factors.

If you can live with "close enough", you can go on the cheap. Otherwise, not.

Perhaps your VAR can connect you with someone who has BlankWorks or LogoPress that will do this for you as a (paid) service.
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- Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)
  
  Jonathan Ridley Jan 24, 2012 4:54 PM (in response to Roland Schwarz)
  
  Roland,
  
  Yes I will have to look into that. That maybe the best option. I only need this a few times a year.
  
  Thanks
  
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  - Re: Flatten surface needed - best 3rd Party solutuions? (modo?)
    
    Roland Schwarz Jan 24, 2012 5:40 PM (in response to Jonathan Ridley)
    
    Anna recommended (fellow Milwaukeean) Ray Proeber. He would be my first call.
    
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