freeform modeling 1

[egcate]

Familiar with airfoil cores? I'm looking for a good technique. Imagine a U shape, with uniform thickness, and a split line draft all around the entire inside and outside of the U. Where I need help is at the bottom of the U, on the inside, I want to make it somewhat thicker transitioning up to the sides nicely. Is there a good free form method more sophisticated than adding another solid to that area? To add complexity I will finally need to apply small blends around all the outer edges of this shape which usually gives Unigraphics heartburn. I'll take any inputs in regard to the blending even without the thickening issue.
Drafted free form surfaces take alot of time to blend in these cases.

egcate

 

[ewh]

Edge blend still works much of the time, but as you said, UG does still tend to occasionally get heartburn blending freeform surfaces. I have found that face blend is more robust with these type of surfaces.
As far as the thickening issue, you could create a new loft based on the original and tweak it to get the size you want. This may involve creating a new part or thickening the new loft and uniting it.

 

[egcate]

Thanks, ewh, I'll give this a shot.

egcate