trimming surfaces help

[Sbarner]

Hi All,

 

On the FTP, in the X5 files folder, I have a Z2G called surface trim help. I get alot of parts like this. There will be a corner radius around the outside of the part, but the surfaces will be broken by holes that intersect the surfaces. I want to create one one surface the entire way around the part, but I'm having trouble finding the best way. The way I do it now is to basically take the wireframe geometry that represents the surface I want, join/trim the entities, and create a swept surface. I guess I'm just wondering if there is a easier way to trim two similar surfaces together...think "Join entities".

 

Also, how does one orient the surfaces so that the flowline cut direction is uniform for multiple surfaces. For example, if I pick 3 or 4 surfaces around this part, I may get different cut directions for different surfaces. If I hit the cut direction button, they indeed switch directions, but it's impossible to ever get them to line up the same. I don't want to have to make several roughing and finishing toolpaths for pairs of surfaces.

[mayday]

If your parts all have a basic rectangle shape like that, why dont you just create a solid block without the holes. fillet the edges and chain them instead?

easiest thing I can think of at a glance

[Sbarner]

Most of the parts come in like that. I'll give that a try. Thanks.

[Guest]

Why not just use Netsurface to close the 2 gaps, then use a surface finish blend instead of flowline?

 

Minimal work, a good path.

 

 

 

To create a NetSurface, make edge curves on the 2 inner edges, then create two lines joining the arcs together.

 

Look on level 110 for the net surfaces, you can the geometry used to create them

Look on Level 111 for the Blend curves used

 

Create Surface >> Netsurface > set chaining to single, and select each line to create a 4pieces chain.

 

That will close the gaps,

 

Then create edge curves upper and lower, offset transform contour the lower one by slight less than half the diameter of the tool your going to use, slect everything and the 2 chains as blend curves.