Patterns on Cylindrical Parts using Autodesk Inventor 2012

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Autodesk Inventor Tips & Tricks

Patterns on Cylindrical Parts

By David Melvin, PE, TEDCF Publishing

This tip shows you how to make a pattern on a cylinder made from a flat sheet. Please note that the process shown in this tip does not create round holes on the cylinder. To learn how to create a cylinder with fully-formed round holes, please read my tip "Holes on Cylindrical Parts."

The axes of the holes radiate outward from the axis of the cylinder.

The Trick

Add the holes to a flat plate and then use the Bend Part command to make the cylinder.

The Process

First you need to know the inner diameter of the cylinder. Let’s say it’s 1-inch.

Next you need to draw a rectangular profile. One side is the length of the cylinder (2 inches) and the other side is the circumference of the ID. In this case the circumference is 1 inch times p, which is 3.14159 in.

The next step is to extrude the profile to make a plate. In this example it was extruded .094 of an inch.

Now you have to cut the first hole(s). Draw the profiles, and then cut an extrusion of the profiles through the plate.

The dimensions for the holes control the spacing as well as the fit on the plate. When the pattern is applied the last hole in the pattern should be the same distance from the other end. So these dimensions were calculated to assure that the pattern fits uniformly on the plate.

The next step is to add the pattern.

Now you need to add a bend line. Create a sketch on the plate, and then draw a line on the middel of the plate. Be sure to fully constrain the sketch.

Now use the Bend Part command to bend the plate on the line. Set the direction on the top right of the dialog box to both sides. Set the Radius to the radius of the ID of the cylinder, and set the Angle to 360 degrees.

This creates a cylinder with a small gap. You can use the Revolve or Extrude commands to close the gap.

How is this Beneficial?

You really can create any shape using Autodesk Inventor. You just need to know how to combine the commands.

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