I have an opportunity to build a turbocharger compressor impellor/wheel. All I have at this time is some x,y,z, coordinates.  Has anyone tried to build a complex solid before in solidworks?  I need some helpful tips.

I've done a turbo compressor before but it was cosmetic so I used a sweep (rectangle profile) along a helix to create the blades. Then I trimmed using a revolve cut. I suspect that won't work for u (differing blade thickness along the helix).

Using the xyz coords u should be able to create one blade of the wheel (using fit-spline appropriately) and circular pattern it. I wouldn't attempt to do it all using one feature.

Personally, I'd approach it this way:
1) Profile the side view (where the axis of rotation is along a SldWx axis).
2) Revolve that profile.
3) Obtain xyz cordinates for the space between the blades (relative to the axis of rotation)
4) Use the resulting surfaces (or body) to cut from the previously created revolve.
5) Circular pattern
6) Verify, verify, verify.
7) 3d print (rapid prototype)
8) Check the printed model

(I'm assuming this is for production)

In 7/10 of my applications I've found it simpler to cut away complex surfaces rather than to "extrude" them. Of course somebody with a better command of extruding features  (lofts/ sweeps/ drafts) could argue the opposite. I'll let the experts speak.

Regards,

H. Kurt Betton

This is an example of the type of information I have to work with.  I suppose is the hub profile.  I also have to other txt files for the mid-passage & shroud.

0in 0.637in 0in
0.2522in 0.6465in 0.324in
0.4829in 0.6726in 0.571in
0.6774in 0.6703in 0.779in
0.8988in 0.6376in 1.011in
1.1882in 0.5998in 1.19in
1.4433in 0.5286in 1.326in
1.6865in 0.4322in 1.437in
1.8966in 0.3178in 1.546in
2.0824in 0.1897in 1.655in
2.2657in 0.0351in 1.778in

You could import as a point file and give you points to create your sketch geometry.
 Was this a digitized file?

I don't know how he developed is xyz coordinates.  Is there a way that I can attach a jpeg or bmp file to show what the profiles look like when they inserted into Solidworks?

FAQ559-1100: How Can I Show An Image In A Post for images or FAQ559-1177: How Do I Make Files Available For Download? ... No Emails Required for files.

SW07-SP3.1
SW06-SP5.1

After inputing the xyz coordinates, these are the curves I am left with for the hub, mid passage, & shroud.
[IMG]http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/3805/pic1lr3.png[/IMG]
Next use boundary surface.
[IMG]http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/9150/pic2lb0.png[/IMG]
Then a circular array around an axis and finally thicken.
[IMG]http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/4719/pic3yc1.png[/IMG]

Any suggestions for a faster approach?  If you have built an impeller before.  I am not sure that I have the information to complete the design on the hub.  Also the center axis for rotation is something I came up with.  Did I miss the information in the xyz coordinates for the axis rotation?

Is it possible for you to post all of the data you have to create the part...Will look through my stuff tonight as I have done one in the past...

Max,
  I think you should take a look at this http://www.ansys.com/products/blademodeler.asp
If you get the geometry wrong on the blades you will cause instability and bad airflow along with vibration.

Fluent also has a software called "Gambit" (IIRC) which has excellent blade generation capabilities (according to an engineer in that industry) if geometry is of utmost importance.

Regards,

H. Kurt Betton