An Overview of the Sheet Metal Unfold & Refold Function in Autodesk Inventor

If you’ve ever tried to create a feature in a flat pattern and then have it appear in the folded model in Inventor within a sheet metal environment, then you’re probably aware by now that you can’t.

This can be frustrating as it’s usually easier to create the feature you require with a flattened part.

However, using the “Unfold” & “Refold” tools in the sheet metal environment, users are able to add accurate features to a flattened or partially flattened sheet metal part.

Unfold – Lets you place existing bends into a flattened state for further modelling. This makes it easier to create and dimension features that cross bends.

Refold – Re-folds unfolded bends to their original state. Features placed over unfolded bends deform as expected when refolded, using the K-Factor specified.

See our overview video below which explains the sheet metal unfold, refold function in Inventor in a little more detail!

More Autodesk Inventor tips, tricks and tutorials can be found on our Manufacturing content portal but if you are looking to take an Inventor training course, then click on the button below and a member of the Graitec MFG team will be in touch.