How would you model this part (see message)

[brrian]

See here:

http://home.comcast.net/~mearsb/stuff/pedestal.JPG

I need to model this part. I'm new to SolidWorks (using 2005). I think that at least part of it would be lofted, possibly the entire piece; or surfaced maybe.

Would any of you be willing to either step me through the 'ideal' way to make this, or even throw together a quick model so I can see how it's done? I'm not looking for somebody to DO this for me, rather something I can reference--I learn best that way.

Here's some information to add to the picture:

-this part will be hollow--the back will be open (the back is the surface opposite the red striped face).

-wall thickness will be about 1/16 inch.

-it will be vacuum formed clear plastic--most edges would have fillets, but you can ignore that for now.

-it will be vacuum-formed (formed over a male tool that is the same dimension as the inside 'cavity'). I would probably model a solid to the inside dimensions, then shell it outwards (the vendor can use the model to create a tool).

Again, this is only for me to learn--I'm not looking for somebody to do my work. Thanks,

Brian

 

[SBaugh]

There is no easy why to make this free formed part step by step. But you will have to use surfaces to get the final shape your after.

If you want Step by step you should hire someone to make it for you. Otherwise you will have to teach yourself Surfacing. If you understand SW well then Surfacing is a piece of cake to pick up, or if you used Surfacing in another tool. This will be easy then too.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.scottjbaugh.com

faq731-376
faq559-716 - SW Fora Users

 

[brrian]

I'm working on it as we speak. I've never used surfacing, but understand the concept of it and should be able to figure it out. I guess we'll see...

 

[rockguy]

Boy. Here's a stab. My first attempt you be to start by try lofting with guide curves to create the basic shape.

 

[Theophilus]

The image doesn't quite make sense with the lines crossing, but I think a swept surface up front (half-ellipse or parabola for a profile) is almost all it amounts to. Is the front surface flat, or is that a decal or what? The way the front edge line seems to cross into the rear edge line reminds me of an Escher painting. Am I reading that wrong?

Anyway, if you make your main surface with a sweep and a guide curve, (sweep half of it if symmetrical, then mirror the body) you can knit your surfaces together and then thicken them to your desired thickness.

Consult help on those features and see what you can do.

Jeff Mowry
Industrial Designhaus, LLC

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

 

[TheTick]

Some general surface modelling advice...

Before you lay down surfaces, make some sketches with control lines to base the rest of your model on. Starting with some skeleton sketches will go a long way toward keeping your model from unraveling.

When you make sketches to create your surfaces, use the skeleton sketch curves and convert entities.

Don't try to do too much with a single feature.

Some surfaces are best defined oversize and then subsequently trimmed.

Take advantage of symetry whenever possible.

"Customer satisfaction, while theoretically possible, is neither guaranteed nor statistically likely.--E.L. Kersten

http://www.EsoxRepublic.com

 

[brrian]

Here's what I was able to do so far:

http://home.comcast.net/~mearsb/stuff/Riser.SLDPRT

Look at the front, around the circular bottom of the top surface. See how it's pinched in? I don't like that, but I can't figure out if that's geometrically necessary, or a result of bad modeling.

Either way, it's a start. That 'pinch' may be acceptable anyway. I'm going to mess with it more tonight to see if I can make it better.

By the way, I LOVE this forum--it always amazes me how quickly I get replies, and how useful they (usually) are. Thanks for all of your help--someday when I'm a SW guru I'll return the favor...

Brian

 

[Theophilus]

If you use a couple of guide curves for your loft that are tangent to your base surfaces, you can probably rid yourself of those pinches. The guide curves will tell the loft to follow the curves instead of following the natural geometry for creating the surface.

Might want a guide curve near 4:00, 6:00, and 8:00 to pull out those pinches. You'll need to roll back to before your loft to creat your curves, then roll after your loft, then edit your loft to include the curves. That should help if the loft rebuilds sucessfully.

Jeff Mowry
Industrial Designhaus, LLC

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com

 

[brrian]

I did it--four guide curves around the front, and the pinches are gone. I can hardly belive that it works.

I've got a model building in the rapid prototype machine--can't wait to see how it turns out.

Thanks for your help!!!

Brian

 

[Theophilus]

Hey, that's what this forum's for. Glad you got it. Keep learning and become a know-it-all.

Jeff Mowry
Industrial Designhaus, LLC

http://www.industrialdesignhaus.com