Surface tangency in lofts; SolidWorks

[EyeDesigner]

I am lofting a round profile with several guide curves, but am having problems with the surface tangency. I seem to get 'edges' where the guide curves are; how can I smoothe these to get the right shape?
Any tips on how to control surfaces in lofts would be helpful
Thank you!

 

[TheTick]

Are these edges tangent edges?

 

[EyeDesigner]

Yes, the surfaces are tangent. If I loft a circle onto another circle with 4 equally spaced guide curves I get four faces with almost sharp edges between them. Any ideas?

 

[meintsi]

Use a single centerpoint guide curve.
Can't possibly get edges then.



Remember...
"If you don't use your head,
your going to have to use your feet."

 

[SBaugh]

You tried using advanced smoothing?

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
When in doubt, always check the help

 

[TheTick]

What tinkering I have done with SW's "advanced" surfacing shows many weaknesses in C1 and C2 continuity control between adjacent surfaces. I have observed as much as 3° disparity in loft and sweep surfaces that should be tangent by their feature definitions. Curvature continuity? Rotsa ruck!

If the ladies don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

 

[EyeDesigner]

No luck with advanced smoothing..

And I can't use a centre line loft as I don't want a constant shape. Picture a loft between two circles where you need guide curves to create a convecs profile (like Norman Foster's latest building in London 'the gerkin') -and no; I can't revolve the part as the base shape is oval).

Thank you for all the replies so far

 

[Theophilus]

Perhaps you could sweep it in the direction of the "oval" revolution using guide curves? Sweep a surface, then fill as a solid if necessary. Your convex curve would be the profile that would bend to the oval guide curves on the ends and perhaps in the middle.

Or you could sweep in the direction of your loft using guide curves. I do this a lot with elliptical profiles for custom ergonomic grip/handle designs. It takes a while to tinker with it to get the geometry you need, but tends to be a very reliable way to get tough forms created. You can even sweep one half the ellipse first and follow with the other half after--then knit the surfaces to one another to make sure they're tangent. I did this for the grip of the product rendered on my (temporary) home page (link in sig). Maybe that would work in your case.

Obviously, I don't know if this would work for you, but SolidWorks normally gives several ways to do something--this could be an option.




Jeff Mowry
Industrial Designhaus, LLC

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

 

[SBaugh]

You might try using Side tangency. You can find it in the help. You use the edges and then an option becomes available to use all faces. See help for more details when your in the loft command click the "?".

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
When in doubt, always check the help

 

[sirmick]

From what I have read, a problem like yours is best tackled with more intermediate profiles in the loft as opposed to making 2 profiles conform to guide curves. Sketch the guide curves as you desire, but then draw intermediate profiles that are pierced by the guide curves. When you loft, use the new profiles but don't use the guide curves.