Creating a symmetrical solid.

[flangewiper]

I've got a complicated aluminium casting that's used in a left hand drive automotive application. It's modelled in V5 solids, fully parametric so I can make changes as required.

Now I need to create the equivalent casting for the right hand drive version, which will basically be a symmetry of the first part but with some other changes where necessary.

I'm thinking of taking the left hand part, creating a symmetry as the last operation in the part body and then making any changes as necessary, either subsequent to the symmetry operation for modification that are effectively right hand version only, or by going back up the tree for any changes that are basically on the original left hand part.

I'm confident that this method will work but welcome any other suggestions. I need to keep the part fully parametric, so no pasting dumb solids or other bodges.

Thanks

 

[DBezaire]

Flangewiper - that would work for you. There are a couple of different ways to deal with this depending on what changes for RH version.
1) Use New From create the RH version of file, make necessary changes for RH version, apply symmetry to the end of part.

The only problem with this method - if you need to make a change to both versions you must update both files.

2) This will depend on solid methodology. In you LH version file use the Part Design command Insert in New with as many features of the LH version as possible. Use the copy paste with link to the RH solid the base body of the LH version, symmetry, make the RH changes.

The LH version will drive most of the RH version.

Regards,
Derek

 

[jackk]

Flangewiper...

I have tried several times to make RH castings from LH ones, and I came to the conclusion that it is best to re-model each independently of each other.

I would only copy&paste & symmetry if the two parts are exactly the same (except for the mirroring).

I have tried as Derek suggested, but it is very confusing to make changes - do I change the original part or change the mirrored part? Making changes to the mirrored part while working with the unmirrored geometry is almost impossible.

We also make machined versions from our cast parts, and this further complicated working with driving parts. Plus how to you manage the data with your PDM system?

I also tried the MakeFrom solution, and I believe this will work for simple castings. Based on the plane of symmetry, you can go through the tree and sometimes reverse direction of your pads/pockets. Sometimes you have to flip the sketch. My castings were either too complex or too different for me to get this to work effectively.

Again, my conclusion is to make both parts from scratch!

But try it yourself, and let us know what you think.

...Jack

 

[CATPart]

Hi Derek,

In reference to your second method, why do you use "INSERT IN NEW" command?. Shouldn't be enough copy with the link.

Regards,

Damir

 

[DBezaire]

For my example to you I will use an insert with one half of the insert breaking out to the parting line. I would like to clear the vertical rads in the parting line area and the horizontal rad on the bottom of insert. My Partbody will look something like this.

Partbody
-Assemble.1
-Blank (solid) Published solid for export for core block remove
-Pad.1 these 2 items are the common items core to insert
-EdgeFillet.1 Vertical Rads in part
-EdgeFillet.2 V. Rads in parting
-EdgeFillet.3 H. Rads on bottom

Edge fillet 2 and 3 will have clearance from insert to pocket.

Regards,
Derek

 

[CATPart]

Derek, can you put one screen shot for better understanding if you have time, if not no problem.

Regards,
Damir