SolidWorks 2011 Parts Bible - Matt Lombard [132]
In the model from Figure 8.18, two Point deform features are used, one to apply some shape to the back and one to apply some shape to the seat.
FIGURE 8.18
The Deform Point PropertyManager and a before-and-after example
Looking at Curve to curve deform
Because the Curve to curve uses curve (or sketch or edge) data, it is a more precise method than the other deform types. The main concept here is to transform a curve on the original model to a new curve, thus deforming the body to achieve the new geometry.
The model shown in Figure 8.19 has been created using the Curve to curve deform. The part starts as a simple sweep (sweep an arc along an arc), and then a split line is created to limit the deform to a specific area of the model. The model is on the DVD with the filename Chapter 8 Deform Curve to Curve.sldprt.
Looking at Surface push deform
I do not go into much detail on the Surface push deform type because it is not one of the more useful functions in SolidWorks. In order to use it, you must have the body of the part that you are modeling and a tool body that you will use to shape the part that you are modeling. The finished shape does not fit the tool body directly, but looks about halfway between the model and the tool body, blended together in an abstract sort of way. It looks like the dent that would result from an object being thrown very hard at a car fender, in that neither the thrown part nor the fender is immediately recognizable from the result.
Using the Indent feature
The Indent feature is what the Surface push deform is trying to be, or should try to be. Indent uses the same ingredients as the Surface push, but it produces a result that is both intelligible and useful. For example, if you are building a plastic housing around a small electric motor, then the Indent feature shapes the housing and creates a gap between the housing and the motor. Figure 8.20 shows the PropertyManager interface for the Indent feature, as well as what the indent looks like before and after using the feature.
FIGURE 8.19
Using the Curve to curve deform option
FIGURE 8.20
Using the Indent feature
In this case, the small motor is placed where it needs to be, but there is a wall in the way. Indent is used to create an indentation in the wall by using the same wall thickness and placing a gap of .010 inches around the motor. The motor is brought into the wall part using the Insert⇒Part command. This is a multi-body technique. Multi-bodies are examined in detail in Chapter 20.
Tutorial: Creating a Wire-Formed Part
Follow these steps to create a wire-formed part:
1. Open a new part using an inch-based template.
2. Open a sketch on the Right plane and sketch a circle that is centered on the Origin with a diameter of 1.500 inches.
3. Create a Helix, Constant Pitch, Pitch, and Revolution, where the Pitch = .250 inches, Revolutions = 5.15, and Start Angle = 0. The Helix command is found at Insert⇒Curve⇒Helix/Spiral.
4. Create a sketch on the Front plane, as shown in Figure 8.21. Pay careful attention when adding the construction line, as shown. This line is used in the next step to reference the end of the arc.
Figure 8.21
The results up to Step 4
5. Open a sketch on the Right plane and use Figure 8.22 to add the correct relations and dimensions. Be aware that the two sketches shown are on different sketch planes, which makes it difficult to depict in 2D. You can also open the part from the DVD for reference.
6. Exit the sketch and create a projected curve. The Projected Curve function is found at Insert⇒Curve⇒Projected Curve. Use the Sketch On Sketch option.
7. Open a 3D sketch. You can access a 3D sketch from the Insert menu. Select the helix and click Convert Entities on the Sketch toolbar. Then select the