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Surface offset for spark gap

Surface offset for spark gap

Surface offset for spark gap

(OP)
I am designing an electrode for a complex surface plastic part.

I have already expaned the model for shrink, now I need to move all surfaces back .0025" to allow for a spark gap in the EDM process.

When I use the Surface offset, due to the complexity of the surfaces, i get an error  "Unable to offset - please try a smaller distance".

Any suggestions on other ways to easily do this?

RE: Surface offset for spark gap

Do you have any fillets or radii contacting the surfaces? You may need to adjust or remove them.

Chris
Systems Analyst, I.S.
SolidWorks 06 4.1/PDMWorks 06
AutoCAD 06
ctopher's home (updated 06-21-05)

RE: Surface offset for spark gap

Is there a way we can take a look at the file? I know in CATIA V5 there is a tool called Rough Offset that enables you to create any offset regardless of the complexity of the model. but in SW I don't know of any that would do a similar task.

RE: Surface offset for spark gap

Did this for vacuum forming. I would shell the part outward to .0025, then use the shell to make the tool. You can either remove the old surface or do a mold part using an new block as the basis for your mold. You may have to go and force some radii bigger to prevent sharps and dissapearing surfaces.

--
Hardie "Crashj" Johnson
SW 2005 SP 4.0 (reluctant to change)
Matrox Millenium G550
AMD Athalon 1.8 GHz 512 Meg RAM

RE: Surface offset for spark gap

Spurs ... Have you tried to create a zero offset surface? If you can, you may then be able to use it to do a Thickened Cut to reduce the electrode?

cheers
Helpful SW websites  FAQ559-520
How to get answers to your SW questions  FAQ559-1091

RE: Surface offset for spark gap

(OP)
When i  removed fillet radii contacting the surface, things worked out.

Thanks

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