modelling a filling

[moyesboy]

I have an assembly filled with potting compound.
I want to show this filler, but also calculate the volume/weight required to fill the assembly.

How do I create this lump of epoxy dependant on the inside shape of my casting, with the PCB and components subtracted from it? so it updates with any changes I make?

So far to me it seems I have to create an appropriate lump, then add a dependant boolean subtract for each part - I can't seem to just use my existing assembly to do that.

I bet there is something I'm missing.

 

[moyesboy]

This is the same problem as calculating how much volume of oil it would take to fill a gearbox or engine to a certain level.
surely there is a way to do it using the original assembly model...

 

[Mitsu50]

sounds like the mold tools would accomplish this. they are under insert molds. use the cavity feature i believe.

 

[rstupplebeen]

Depending on how freeform the geometry is would change the methods significantly. Here is a generalized approach I think should work for any situation.

Perform a "0" offset of any surface that would touch the filler. Splitline any face that would only be partially wetted. Close the volume with surfaces (planar, boundary, fill..) Knit into a solid. Mass properties.

I hope this helps.

Rob Stupplebeen

 

[moyesboy]

got this
create a virtual component
then select parts you want to create as dependant geometry
insert feature join
select appropriate options.

Now you have multiple bodies of the relevant geomtry.

Extrude your filler as another feature, so it fills everything up. Perhaps this could be a mould inner cavity?
Then subtract the bodies that are inside the filler.

Job done.

 

[Eltron]

You could also save your assembly as a part then insert a dummy part, mate it up, and subtract it from your initial part. This should give you a body that matches exactlg a filled mold.

Dan

http://www.eltronresearch.com

Dan's Blog

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

If you want a simpler method, go to

https://forum.solidworks.com/ideas/1390

and

https://forum.solidworks.com/ideas/1391

and cast your vote.

 

[moyesboy]

Eltron - that works but is not assoviative. Savign the assembly as a part produces a disconnected dumb solid.

 

[Eltron]

If you need it to be associative, you could create a multibody part by inserting the wetted parts into a new part then continue on as I suggested above.

Dan

http://www.eltronresearch.com

Dan's Blog

 

[moyesboy]

Eltron, yes that was my first method, but in effect that means building my assembly with all its mates twice, and it is not truely associative with the original assembly - it won't update if the way the parts are mated is changed, only reflect changes in the parts themselves.
The method I outlined is quicker becuase it uses the orignal assembly and is associative with it completely, though any additinoal parts have to be added to the virtual filler part in its "join" feature.
As always with replacing assembly parts with solid, there are usually a few fails with tangencies and corner/line contact causing a zero thickness solid error so you need to do some additional extrudes and approximations which is hassle. The complete "filler" part is not capable of having the likely true shape which will have zero thickness errors where circular parts touch with a tangent etc. So there need to be a few approximations made.

Sounds like an enhancement to do this more easily is needed!

CorBlimeyLimey, looks like I need to do something to my SW user account to get to the ideas section where I'm blocked just paid them $$$$$$$$ as well

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Your VAR should be able to arrange for fixing access to the SW forum.