Which means regardless where the model geometry originates you can convert it to sheet metal add sheet metal features and generate the flat pattern.
													
																	Cpmvert cylinder to sheet metal. 
									
	
		
	
																	Let s start with the rules of sheet metal. 
																	However sheet metal parts created with the lofted bends feature avoid. 
																	I understand that there are other simple ways of creating cylinders but the reason i started like this was because it s easier for me to put holes into a flat surface rather than a curved one. 
																	Originally both a four cylinder the h2 and a v8 the h1 were available. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	Essentially you should calculate the centerline arc. 
																	Here we have a solid body that i would like to convert into a sheet metal box then get the flat pattern to make it. 
																	I have a rectangular piece of steel 25 692 l 1 600 h 048 t that i want to bend fully to create a cylinder. 
																	As a test try to insert an axis on the cylindrical face. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	To develop the blank flat length for a cylinder rolled from sheet or plate is quite simple. 
																	Thanks for your time dan. 
																	Pick the a face that will be fixed plane of the flattened sheet. 
																	If you cannot insert an axis then the model is not an exact cylinder and cannot be unfolded. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	I figure this should be an easy thing to do in solidworks but i have little experience with the sheet metal portion and cannot figure it out. 
																	Click convert to sheet metal 3. 
																	Rule 1 you must have a consistent thickness. 
																	Autodesk inventor allows for converting models to sheet metal. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	If you don t have the sheet metal tab open right click in the area where the 1 arrow points then click sheet metal. 
																	I want to effectively roll the sheet up. 
																	The extremely compact normally aspirated h1 v8 used two of the suzuki heads displaced 3 0l and went for 45 000. 
																	Outside diameter thickness x 3 1416 length of plate required inside diameter thickness x 3.