Multi-section surface, area control
Multi-section surface, area control
(OP)
I'm learning CATIA V5 after years using Pro/E. As a test for myself, I'm trying to re-create one of my toughest Pro/E designs in CATIA.
In Pro/E there is a feature called "swept blend" which is a blend (with as many intermediate sections as you need) swept along a center curve. The analog of this in CATIA seems to be the "Multi-sections Surface". There is only one problem. The surface I am creating is a duct and needs a specific relationship between cross-sectional area and position along the length of the duct. In Pro/E the swept blend feature can have an "area graph" associated with it which accomplishes this nicely. In CATIA I can find no such option.
Everybody says CATIA is better than Pro for surfacing... somebody please prove it and help me out here!
In Pro/E there is a feature called "swept blend" which is a blend (with as many intermediate sections as you need) swept along a center curve. The analog of this in CATIA seems to be the "Multi-sections Surface". There is only one problem. The surface I am creating is a duct and needs a specific relationship between cross-sectional area and position along the length of the duct. In Pro/E the swept blend feature can have an "area graph" associated with it which accomplishes this nicely. In CATIA I can find no such option.
Everybody says CATIA is better than Pro for surfacing... somebody please prove it and help me out here!





RE: Multi-section surface, area control
Unfortunately, I don't believe this capability is available in CATIA V5.
You'll have to figure out some other way to do it. Maybe build each cross section to have the required area?
Looks like Pro-E wins this one.
RE: Multi-section surface, area control
Creating sections along the way would be very difficult. The shape is complex and it would be hard to define each cross-sectional profile (not to mention keeping the segment # the same as the end sections).
Any possible way to do it using "laws" or "formulas"? I haven't quite figured out either of these tools but am not sure if they're applicable to my dilemma.
Thanks.
RE: Multi-section surface, area control
RE: Multi-section surface, area control
I think I have a solution for you.
But I don't see an option to upload a file.
I can mail solution to you if you give me an address.
Regards
Neville
RE: Multi-section surface, area control
Address is matt.b.hoover AT lmco DOT com.
I can't upload anything here because of sensitive nature of model.
Thanks!
RE: Multi-section surface, area control
otherwise, please send me an email also: jack.knapp@bdk.com
RE: Multi-section surface, area control
RE: Multi-section surface, area control
I wanted to post a possible solution but did not know how to upload the file. If there is a way to upload files please enlighten me.
Regards
Nev
RE: Multi-section surface, area control
check out this link
javascript:openindex(450,450,'h
RE: Multi-section surface, area control
RE: Multi-section surface, area control
Assuming the solution is valid
I built a guide curve.
Then added a parameter to extract its length(L).
I then built a direction line for the law of length L
I then added the area graph as a sketched spline starting at zero ending at L.
Then I added the direction and spline to the law
I did a sweep along a guide curve (circle option)
For the circle radius I selected the law option.
Regards
Nev
RE: Multi-section surface, area control
It is a shame laws cannot be applied to MSS, only to sweeps. Strange.
RE: Multi-section surface, area control
RE: Multi-section surface, area control
I also lack "guide curves" that seem to be needed for sweeps... all I want to constrain it with is a "centerline" (spline).
I'll look into adaptive sweep and see what I can figure out, thanks.