Surface Modeling for Solid Modelers

Jordan Tadic, Application Engineer 3DVision Technologies

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Jordans Background
BS in Mechanical Engineering (00-04) Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OH Automation Engineer (04-08) Atlantic Tool & Die Strongsville, OH Application Engineer (08-Present) 3DVision Technologies Independence, OH SolidWorks Certifications: CSWE, CSWP, Surfacing, Sheet Metal, Weldments, Instructor, Support Technician, WPDM, 3DVIA Composer

Why Surfaces?

vs.

Why Surfaces?
Solid models need to follow these rules: 1. Every edge must be a boundary between exactly two faces.

2. Must always be a water-tight volume.

Why Surfaces?
Surfaces provide design flexibility: Create geometry one surface at a time rather than one chunk at a time.

Solid modeling tools are simply automated surfacing tools.

shell = delete face + thicken

Basic Surface Modeling Workflow

1. Build Surfaces

2. Extend/Trim Surfaces

3. Knit/Form Solid

Solids to Surfaces & Surfaces to Solids Solids to Surfaces:

solid

1.

Copy (Offset) Surface Delete Face

copy surface

2.

3.

Knit Surface
delete face

Surfaces to Solids:
1.

Knit Surface & Try to Form Solid Thicken & Create Solid from Enclosed Volume
knit surfaces

2.

thicken

Bag of Surfacing Tricks

Fixing/Modifying imported geometry

Simplify imported geometry (Delete & Patch)

Repair/Modify imported geometry (Extrude surface, Replace face)

Repair sheet metal import (Copy surface, Face fillet, Thicken)

Overcoming Solid Modeling Challenges

Extrude offset from multiple surfaces (Knit surface) Extending countersinks (Copy surface, Extend surface, Cut with surface) Extrude/Cut normal to curved surface (Split line, Copy surface, Thicken cut) Complex variable radius fillets (Split line, Face fillet with hold line) Complex ruffled surfaces (Revolved surface, Split line, Delete face, Surface loft)

Simplifying Imported Geometry Delete & Patch

Using the Delete Face command with the Delete and Patch option selected will delete the selected faces and extend the surrounding faces to patch the gap.

Modifying/Repairing Imported Geometry Replace Face

Checking Imported Sheet Metal Part File

Golden sheet metal rules:
1. 2.

Must be uniform thickness throughout the entire part All bent surfaces must either be cylindrical or conical

Check to see if bends are cylindrical/conical:

Cut a section normal to the bend axis, click on the arc, and check for radius measurement

Check to see if flat faces are actually flat:

Click on flat face, and check for Sketch icon

Check thickness using measure tool RMB > Select Tangency

Repairing Imported Sheet Metal Parts

import

delete & patch

copy surface

delete body

delete face

extend / untrim

face fillet

thicken

insert bends & flatten

Extrude Offset from Multiple Surfaces Knit Surface

extrude offset from surface translate OFF

knit surface

*or (in 2011), you can create the same result by using a split line and an extrusion off the 3D faces.

extrude offset from surface translate ON

Extending Countersinks Extend Surface

hole wizard

copy surface

extend surface

cut with surface

Extrude/Cut Normal to Curved Surface - Thicken

split line

copy surface

thicken cut

copy surface

thicken

Complex Variable Radius Fillets Hold Line Face Fillet

extrude & draft

split line

hold line face fillet

copy surfaces

thicken

thicken

thicken

mirror & shell

finishing touches

Complex Ruffled Surfaces Lofted Surface

Complex Ruffled Surfaces Lofted Surface

solid revolve

delete face

revolve surface

project curve

lofted surface

knit surface

thicken

Questions?

Jordan Tadic 440-425-0114, 235 jtadic@3dvision.com