Projected area of part

[niedzviedz]

Hello everyone,

I need to calculate projected area of part. I'm using right now NX 10 and module Mold wizard. I have found 2 thread about it, but I would like to know if something changes since then (NX6). Maybe some new tool of NX or from mold wizard?

With best regards
Michael

 

[csbk]

This is the steps. There are many was to achieve a projected area.

1. Extract the curves of the outline area to be calculated
Use Extract Curve or maybe Composite Curve
2. Project curves to a plane that is Normal to the direction of projection
This can be a Datum or a planer surface that can be trimmed
3. Make sure there are no gaps or overlaps in the projected curves
Consider using Smooth Curve String
4. Extrude at a 0.0 distance
Or use Bounded Plane
5. Measure Face
You can change the Units. Just remember to change it back


CSBK

 

[niedzviedz]

Thank You for your answer. I used similar method, but with isocline curve. I thought that maybe Mold wizard has some tools to this simplest?

With best regards
Michael

 

[csbk]

Sorry, I haven't accessed mold wizard in over 15ys.
The new thing that I can suggest is under extract.
Change view to the direction of projection; go to Extract Curve and choose Precise Outline. Someone pointed this out to me. Works great.
There should be a new Box function in pre/post


CSBK

 

[Ehaviv]

Multiply the real area by the cosine of the projected angle

 

[Ehaviv]

If my answer is not correct for you
Please clarify your problem with a description.

Thanks.

 

[niedzviedz]

Sorry for not answer from my side. What do You mean by real area? When I choose measure body, I have whole part area, and when I multiply it by cos 90, because part is on Z direction, then I get the same value.
I only need area of part projected for some direction. Imagine that you have part, normal to Z direction, then You need to Extract outside edges from part and project them on plane. This area must be smaller than the area of rectangle created on this plane, and which is created between outside edges of part. This area we need to calculate minimal clamping force on injection machine. Right now I know this methods to achive this:

[ul]
[li]Isocline curve, but this function sometime don't create whole curves[/li]
[li]Precise Outline, like @CSBK mention[/li]
[li]Shodow outline[/li]
[/ul]

I'm looking for some tool in moldwizard, but I don't think it exist right now.

With best regards
Michael

 

[Ehaviv]

When you project a face area to some plane then you have
two planes the face area plane and the projected area plane
the angle between these planes is the angle that I meant.

Now if you can build a sheet body by the closed curves
from isocline method or from extracted curves method
then you can use my formula.

 

[GRANDDIE]

There is a Mold Wizard function called Calculate Area. This should be exactly what you are looking for.

 

[tpierce]

Michael,

In Mold Wizard under "mold tools" you will see "calculate area". You select your solid model and specify the plane you want the area projected to. A lot faster than extracting curves, projecting, then creating a surface. I use to figure how much clamp tonnage we will need and also in electrode design.