Un-Wrap a surface to produce a flat label

Can this be done?

What I need to do is produce a flat label for a bottle, except the
surface that the label sits on is curved in more than one direction.

I guess what I am trying to do is the opposite of the WRAP function. I
need to take the resultant surface and from it arrive at a planar
sketch that will describe the label.

Is it possible?


Kev

 

No it is not possible.

It's not a CAD thing; it's a math thing.
<http://www.honeylocust.com/crumpling/states.html>

 

A real label will have to sit on a ruled surface which only has
curvature in one direction, unless it's some material that stretches
that way and can still be glued properly. Paper type labels will pucker
on surfaces with other types of curvature. The outline shape can be
created by trimming, but the underlying surface must be "developable".

Flattening isn't something SolidWorks can do unless it's a surface which
can be made with sheetmetal (conical, cylindrical or a lofted bend
surface made from just two profiles with no guide curves or end
conditions).

SurfaceWorks can flatten various types of shapes.

Matt

 

Download geometryworks and use the surface flatten command. It will do what
you want with decent results. (you need to check your results with cross
section curve lengths)

If you really want the best solution buy Surfaceworks flattener. This will
give you the best flat surface with stretch and compression plotting so you
can see if your label will actually stick on without puckering or tearing.

Cadguru

 

Thanks,

OK I've downloaded Geometryworks - where's the flatten surface command?

Kev

 

Geometryworks is difficult to just pick up and use. If you read the PDF
manual...like 50 pgs or something all the way through it makes a lot more
sense.

Most commands are object - action - oriented.

Cadguru

 

Done it, quick read of the relevant section and "Job done" much quicker
than the having to cut sections and project.

Thanks Guys

Kev