Complex Diamond Pattern on a sperical surface 1

[CycloneWade]

Hi Everyone,

I'm trying to Pattern a diamond shape across a sherical surface with the pattern being offset from perimeter of the part. Current working technique goes something like this... I convert the sperical shape on a sketch then offset the converted edge at some distance x. The I pattern the diamond across the shape and manually go in and trim everything with in this border. Two things happen, the sketch gets so huge AutoSolve shuts off. And the pattern is no longer parametrically based. Trimming the dimond pattern within this shape is extremly time consuming. Any Ideas?

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

Are you trying to create a Geodesic dome?


Making the best use of this Forum. faq559-716
How to get answers to your SW questions. faq559-1091
Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of. faq559-520

 

[CycloneWade]

Nah, just doing some complex patterning on some replacement grilles for vehicles.

 

[MElam]

Try a feature pattern instead of a sketch pattern

 

[CycloneWade]

When i try a feature pattern I'm unable to control the boundry perimeter.

 

[MElam]

On similar parts I have done, I just let the pattern run outside of the perimeter. Then use another feature to "close up" holes outside of the perimeter (mine was flat so I used an extrude)

 

[CycloneWade]

I agree but non flat surfaces are tough.

 

[CADGemini]

Just wait until SW 2006.

Go here

http://www.pacificautomation.com/web5/tech_viewer.php

and click on "solidworks 2006" to see what is to come in 2006 for feature patterns. I know I will be quite pleased with this feature enhancement.

Best Regards,
Jon

Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

Solidworks 2005 SP2.0

 

[CycloneWade]

jksolid,

I heard about this enhancement from my SWX reseller. I'm envious because I'm stuck in 04 land. I'm trying to sell idea to management to reup the service contract to get 05 and 06. SWX05 also has spline offset which I really like and the new boundry pattern feature would be extremly helpful would be helpful, also.

Thanks All.

 

[cadmaniac]

There is golf ball model on Scott Baugh's site. You may find this technique of modeling across the face of a sphere helpful.

Anyone can be Captain in a calm sea.

 

[CADGemini]

CycloneWade,

There is a offset spline in SW05?? I know there is a Fit Spline tool but not Offset. You can however offset a spline as long as that spline geometry is in a seperate sketch. Try it!

Best Regards,
Jon

Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

Solidworks 2005 SP2.0

 

[CycloneWade]

http://www.cati.com/articles/Article5_8ks.htm

 

[CycloneWade]

Okay, thanks for all your help. I figured out a method taht seems to work much much better than what i was doing before. So it involves a bunch of patterns, extrude cuts, sweeps of existing sweeps, more extrude cuts, then a combine(add) feature and bingo.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

This might be interesting to see ... would you post a picture when you are done? See FAQ559-1100


Making the best use of this Forum. faq559-716
How to get answers to your SW questions. faq559-1091
Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of. faq559-520

 

[CADGemini]

CycloneWade,

Thanks for the article you posted. I wasn't aware of that enhancement. I guess I can stop doing it the hard way. But for you you can use my above method to offset a spline in SW2004.

Best Regards,
Jon

Challenges are what makes life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

Solidworks 2005 SP2.0

 

[CycloneWade]

[/IMG]http://img171.exs.cx/img171/5983/grilleperimeter1gi.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

 

[PlasticFantastic]

This is a great place to use multi-body techniques. You could have split the underlying solid into 2 parts- the perimeter and the interior. Then set the cut extrudes and the pattern to only act on the interior solid. After the pattern boolean them back together

 

[CycloneWade]

All good ideas for the next time around!