How do you pattern a feature on a Complex Surface? 2

[tommy104]

I would like to Pattern a "dimple" feature with a cut xtrude and two fillets over the face of a 3D lofted surface. The lofted surface is not symmetrical in any direction. The pattern will contain hundreds of instances of the "dimple" feature. I do not want to have to use the the pattern along curve which does happen to do 3d splines in SW06. It would work but is too laborious because of have to do many "lines" of instances to make pattern cover the area of the loft. I also want all the instances to be
"straight up" not normal to surface so it will pop out of a mold properly. I not a newbie and hope not to be dissed by being sent to the FAQs. Thanks.

 

[Theophilus]

I saw the SW 2006 presentation that seemed to indicate something similar to this could be done. Instead of directing you to the FAQ section, check out the What's New tab within SW 2006.

(I haven't yet made use of this feature so I don't know myself--but that section should explain it--or Help files based on keywords from the What's New section.)


Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reality is no respecter of good intentions.

 

[J-C]

Extrude using the offset from surface end condition might do it. Then linear pattern with "Geometry Pattern" unchecked.

Jason

UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2005 SP5.0 on WinXP SP2
SolidWorks 2006 SP3.0 on WinXP SP2

 

[J-C]

Here's the file if you want it. Warning...8mb.

http://multiterra.mooload.com/file.php?file=files/1136526510/surface.zip

Jason

UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2005 SP5.0 on WinXP SP2
SolidWorks 2006 SP3.0 on WinXP SP2

 

[tommy104]

Thanks all for the replies:

Theophilus, I think you are referring to the new for 2006 area fill pattern which does not seem to work on a curved surface ... at least for me.

Gildashard, You have pretty much nailed the best way pattern a feature on a complex surface. I got it to work like a champ. Thanks for the posted image and solidworks file!!!


Tom

 

[Theophilus]

Actually I was referring to a feature that allows patterning of features in a new way. From what I saw, a revolved cut was patterned around the edge of a surface somewhat like Jason showed above--around the swoopy edges and everything. So the application I saw was a tad different, but would probably work for something like this, depending on the specific feature controls available.

Jason's solution looks great, too. (Looks like he deserves a star.)


Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reality is no respecter of good intentions.

 

[tommy104]

Hey Theo, could you remember the name of the feature that you are speaking of? I have previously looked over the new 2006 features and not sure what you are referring to.


Thanks

 

[Theophilus]

No, I don't remember. I think it's covered in the What's New section, but am not sure. (Leaving the office now, too.) If you find out, please post back and let us know. It's probably something like a geometry-driven pattern or surface-driven pattern or some such name.


Jeff Mowry

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

Reality is no respecter of good intentions.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

From the "SW06 What's New" PDF, section 3, page 6:
"Curve driven patterns now support 3D geometry. You can pattern features along 3D curves or 3D edges."
Unfortunately, no example is given.


Helpful SW websites FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions FAQ559-1091

 

[tommy104]

Hello CorBlimeyLimey, I mentioned that feature in my first post and it works very nicely and is easy to use. Thanks for your suggestion. A number of those side by side would work nicely in some instances as well. You could draw a 3d spline on a complex surface in "3D sketch" mode having the spline meander all over or make a spiral on your surface... then use the insert pattern along 3D curve to create the dimples or bumps all over the surface.

Tom

 

[J-C]

What would be nice is for the new "Fill Pattern" to be supported on any surface, not just planar.

Jason

UG NX2.02.2 on Win2000 SP3
SolidWorks 2005 SP5.0 on WinXP SP2
SolidWorks 2006 SP3.0 on WinXP SP2

 

[tommy104]

Gildashard: I totally agree with you and have banged my head trying to do this. As a cheesy workaround you could still use area fill pattern to cut a thin "flat plate" above your curved part which you will later suppress and then Convert Entities that pattern to a new sketch which you can use to Extrude Cut a pattern into your curved surface. This still does not give the ability to pattern a more complex feature (like a hole with two radii) which is what we really want to do and get the benefit of having the pattern stay within the boundaries of the surface in a quick fashion.