Loft Rebuild Errors How to Resolve "Cannot make two planar end faces t

[SDKevin]

I work for a company where the designers see a corner or straight edge and decide it could be smoother and more complicated. So i have been learning a lot about lofts and surfacing.

I'm working on a sleeve to cover fittings on a High Pressure tank. I am trying to loft from the larger diameter around the tank to the smaller diameter around the fittings. I have two profiles with points for all the connectors. I have some complex guide curves constructed to keep the surface smooth with the existing sweep/loft already connecting the large diameter to the small one. When I attempt to complete the loft feature it give me a Rebuild Error "Cannot make two planar end faces to cap the side sheet." I assume this means the two side planes of the lofted "box" are not generating. I can make boundary surfaces between the perimeter lines. The resulting shape is very curvy and won't thicken. I've splitting it into lots of little sections and doing it piecemeal but I get lots of other errors. When I try to work around them it eventually just says Failed to construct feature.

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...cb-4d64-8b64-78b06905b0c8&file=Badloftbad.jpg

Sorry for the rant. Mainly, how can I get the end faces to cap the side sheet?

Thanks in advance,
Kevin

 

[SDKevin]

Here is am image with the guide curves selected too.

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...4-4085-aa96-86065328fb30&file=Badloftalso.jpg

I tried a loft along the entire distance with guid curves on all corners and reduced it down to this point (eventually). Is there a problem with the end faces being at 90 degrees. I've done this before so I don't understand why its a problem.

 

[gwubs]

Try dragging the blue dot at on end of the loft to the same line as the other. They are crossing. I do lots of surfacing, and a big part of it is work carefully, be patient, try other methods when it doesn't do what you thought it would, and be HAPPY when it does. Don't be afraid to try different tools or methods - I've been astounded at some of the things that work.

 

[SDKevin]

The connector dot? I don't see it crossing anywhere. I adjusted one of the profiles and defined one of the connectors better in this next image.

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...-436f-b4ff-ba7fd348fc7d&file=BadLoftStill.jpg

Besides that I really appreciate the wisdom. I can tell you know what you're talking about. Surfacing was not a focus for me before I worked here. I will be sure to be happier when it works.

 

[SDKevin]

Tried another work around with the same Error "Cannot make two planar end faces to cap the side sheet." What? All the edges are defined by the profiles and the guide curves...

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...4c-4f44-9b20-34b508b6a5e1&file=BadLofting.jpg

Sorry for all the posts, just keep hitting the same wall.

 

[KevinDeSmet]

Try to divide it up into smaller chunks, don't try to do to much with any one feature in surfacing. And don't feel so bad, I think this kind of technical surfacing is quite fun once you get the hang of it a little!

Certified SolidWorks Professional

 

[SDKevin]

Thanks for the help. I eventually got it when I flattened one of the planes i was sketching off of. It was warped from an unguided edge in a sweep. Once I smoothed it out I was able to do most of the section in one loft with four guides.

Thanks again. Its hard being the only SolidWorks guy in the room.

 

[gwubs]

Yeah, it's lonely at the top

 

[SDKevin]

Too true.

Posting the image of the successful build in case someone stumbles on this and doesn't get what I'm saying.

http://files.engineering.com/getfil...88c8-490e-a454-50b1642921f7&file=Goodloft.jpg