Modelling paint 3

[EricatST]

I have an assembly to which I want to apply a coat of paint to. Not the entire assembly but several connected surfaces.

I'd like the paint to be one part (it allows me to turn it on and off, include it in a BOM and use it in CAE analysis). Is there an easy way of extracting the surfaces of the assy I want to paint and using them to create a thin shell?

 

[Mitsu50]

at the part level you can use the offset surface feature. and just set the value to zero. not sure if thats what you are looking for or not.

 

[Eltron]

This is a situation where Virtual Components will actually be useful. If all you want is to have paint be included in your BOM then look into it. You can create the "Paint" part in your assy and keep it essentially empty (free of features) so you don't have to bother wasting time extracting surfaces. You can do the same for glue, etc. That is assuming you are on SW'08 or later.

Dan

http://www.eltronresearch.com

Dan's Blog

 

[rstupplebeen]

In SW you can do the offset of 0 but you could also offset to the mid-plane if that is useful to you. If an offset of 0 is desired you can also knit the surfaces to create a copy. They end up with the same results. Some people prefer one over the other.

On the FEA side assuming that you have surfaces split where you want and don't want the paint most FE packages can "skin" the solid model with surface elements. That detail is probably better left for a specific FE forum. I hope this helps.

Rob Stupplebeen

 

[ShaggyPE]

Regarding Eltron's comment, this can be done in earlier versions than 2008. Simply create a part model for your paint with no features (empty). Insert this part into any assy that needs paint. This will get it in the BOM. I have done this since 2004 for glue and paint and other consumable items. In the past I have called them dummy parts, but that was just my name for them.

As far as showing the areas to be painted on a drawing, I just use note callouts and maybe hatch a specific area if it is somewhat critical.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional
Certified COSMOSWorks Designer Specialist
Certified SolidWorks Advanced Sheet Metal Specialist

 

[cadsman]

a solidedge user created this macro to calc. the painted surface, does Solidworks have one?

http://www.geocities.com/segurucool/download.htm

--from website---
EasySurfaceCoating
EasySurfaceCoat calculates total surface area of a Solid Edge Assembly.
Useful for calculating paint required for surface coating your parts, etc.


Frank

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

I think there used to be a macro for a parts total surface, but I don't believe there was on for an assy.

A macro could probably be made to save the assy as a part using the exterior surfaces option, and then report the total area of those surfaces.

 

[ctopher]

It would be difficult to do FEA on a painted part. Different paints and other chemicals act differently than the part does.
I create my parts to show the surface textures.
The attached template is an example of anodize.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08; CATIA V5
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion

 

[rstupplebeen]

In some thin composite parts that I have worked on the paint is as thick as the carbon epoxy. It probably provided over 1/4th the stiffness. I just assumed that it was an additional layer in my laminate. I hope this helps.

Rob Stupplebeen

 

[EricatST]

Thanks for all the replies.

Firstly the analysis I wish to perform is not conventional FEA but modelling of the electromagnetic performance of the assembly. The paint is conductive and forms an imperfect EMC shield around an electronic device. Hence the reason for wanting a real part rather than a virtual one or a note on the drawing.

Secondly modelling the paint allows me to switch it on and off through the use of configurations. This is useful as I use the assemblies in diagrams which illustrate manufacturing steps etc.

So, so far it looks like the paint can be modelled fairly easily on a part but not on an assembly. Unless anyone else comes up with a brilliant suggestion it looks like I can model the paint on each part and use configurations to turn it on or off or make one new part by designing it on the assy itself.

 

[ctopher]

I think it would be a great suggestion to turn into SolidWorks.

Chris
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 08 3.1
AutoCAD 08; CATIA V5
ctopher's home (updated Aug 5, 2008)
ctopher's blog
SolidWorks Legion