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Complicated Shape - Help!

Complicated Shape - Help!

Complicated Shape - Help!

(OP)
I have two issues:

1) I cannot get the mesh-like shape to FLEX a complete 360 degrees (leaving a small gap as shown below).

2) Perhaps because of issue #1, I cannot get the second step to work. The mesh-like shape that has a revolve (shown in blue) that I am trying to form to. In other words, I want the mesh-like shape to take on the form of the revolve. I have used the FLEX feature with no luck (although was successful with a less drastic "flare" shape, so I think it might be possible. Anyhow, I'm stuck and need help...please!

http://files.engineering.com/getfile.aspx?folder=f...

Attached is a file (SolidWorks 2012)

RE: Complicated Shape - Help!

Try a different approach;

Extrude a slit cylinder (this will become the mesh) using the Sheet Metal Base Flange/Tab. Place the axis on the origin.
Unfold
Cut the mesh shape
Fold
Add the Revolve

RE: Complicated Shape - Help!

(OP)
After I create a cylinder and cut the mesh shape out of it...how am I supposed to "bend" it so it takes on the form of the revolve?

RE: Complicated Shape - Help!

Oh, sorry. I totally misread your intent.

I'll go have a strong coffee and take another look.

RE: Complicated Shape - Help!

(OP)
Thank you for the replies...the radial pattern idea would seem to fix the issue of me not being able to close the 360 degree geometry. However, I have only shown a small portion of the mesh like geometry. There are other features (not shown) that may be difficult to complete using this method...I will give it a shot.

Anyone have any ideas on then getting the mesh like geometry into the shape of the revolve???

RE: Complicated Shape - Help!

(OP)
Okay...so I got things to work (sort of)

1) I needed to go back and recreate the part using circular revolve. That allowed me to get the part to fully close at 360 degrees.

2) Once I did that, the flex feature allowed me to bend the part without errors popping up.

Only issue that remains (and is there because I am "faking" the bends using the flex feature) is that the part features distort and become flattened out. I wonder if there is a way to keep the original thickness of the part while using the flex feature.

Thanks for the help everyone.

RE: Complicated Shape - Help!

Yensid,
I believe that with a little work the method I proposed will make a shape of uniform thickness that is wrapped around a shape. Can you please post images showing where the problem areas are? Thank you.

Rob Stupplebeen
https://sites.google.com/site/robertkstupplebeen/

RE: Complicated Shape - Help!

(OP)
rstupplebeen: are you able to "bend" the stent geometry you submitted into the shape of the revolve that I have provided?

RE: Complicated Shape - Help!

(OP)
Well, your JPEG image looks like YOU are able to get it to work. I guess I don't have the knowledge. Could you explain to me how you did that?

RE: Complicated Shape - Help!

Please see the attached file. Here is a running list of operations.
1. create an axis of revolution
2. sketch your inner shape
3. revolve #2
4. offset #3 outwards to the desired stent thickness
5. draw the desired stent shape (this may be many steps to get the exact shape you need) in this example I just did 1 sketch
6. project #6 onto #3 using a split line
7. with the newly created edge from #6 create a ruled surface outwards thicker than the desired stent
8. extend the inside edge of #7 so that the next step creates solids that extend past #3 and #4
9. thicken #8
10. split #8 with #3 and #4 to get the desired thickness.
11. mirror
12. pattern
13. combine to 1 solid
I hope this helps.

Rob Stupplebeen
https://sites.google.com/site/robertkstupplebeen/

RE: Complicated Shape - Help!

(OP)
Thanks

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