11 Replies Latest reply on May 24, 2013 1:17 AM by Karthik A

Jaded edges in Lofted airfoil

Karthik A May 23, 2013 2:14 AM

Hi Friends,

I have created a loft between two identical airofils placed 300 mm apart with the second airofil scaled down to 70%. When i create a lofted boss or surface loft, the loft is created but when i zoom near the leading edge i find the loft has not followed the sketch and it followed a jaded profile. I thought this was due to the graphics performance of my PC.

But when i gave the drawing for CNC, the machine started to read these edges and creates jaded edges over my wing.

Any Suggestions to rectify this pproblem ???

Please help.

Re: Jaded edges in Lofted airfoil

Karthik A May 23, 2013 3:52 AM (in response to Karthik A)
Like Show 0 Likes(0)

Actions
- Re: Jaded edges in Lofted airfoil
  
  Ian Worrall May 23, 2013 3:59 AM (in response to Karthik A)
  
  Try increasing image quality under Options/Document Properties.
  
  Like Show 0 Likes(0)
  
  Actions
  - Re: Jaded edges in Lofted airfoil
    
    Karthik A May 23, 2013 4:03 AM (in response to Ian Worrall)
    
    Hello Ian,
    I am a bit confused. If i adjust the image quality, visually the edges may disappear but the CNC router still reads the same part design right.
    
    Like Show 0 Likes(0)
    
    Actions
    - Re: Jaded edges in Lofted airfoil
      
      Jerry Steiger May 23, 2013 4:28 PM (in response to Karthik A)
      
      Karthik,
      
      Yes, you are right, the CNC should be basing its path on the actual geometry, not the visual representation.
      
      How are you outputting to the CNC software? Parasolid, STEP, ACIS or IGES output should give you a good copy of your geometry, with IGES being the most likely to have problems. An STL file would give you a faceted output, but that is usually only used for additive manufacturing, not cutting.
      
      Jerry S.
      
      Like Show 0 Likes(0)
      
      Actions
      - Re: Jaded edges in Lofted airfoil
        
        Karthik A May 23, 2013 9:28 PM (in response to Jerry Steiger)
        
        Hi Jerry,
        The output from solidworks to CNC software is through converting it into a STL file and then getting the codes from it.
        Do you think that there is something to do with the output file type.
        
        Like Show 0 Likes(0)
        
        Actions
        
        Re: Jaded edges in Lofted airfoil
        
        Deepak Gupta May 23, 2013 9:43 PM (in response to Karthik A)
        
        I doubt if you're getting the STL perfect. Can you try a different format??
        
        Like Show 0 Likes(0)
        
        Actions
        
        Re: Jaded edges in Lofted airfoil
        
        Karthik A May 24, 2013 1:17 AM (in response to Deepak Gupta)
        
        Hello Deepak,
        I can only use STL, 3ds, 3da, dxf, 3dp and dmt files, i am trying to export into dxf and will post whats the result.
        
        Like Show 0 Likes(0)
        
        Actions
        
        Re: Jaded edges in Lofted airfoil
        
        Jerry Steiger May 23, 2013 9:51 PM (in response to Karthik A)
        
        Karthik,
        
        You don't want to use STL, as it always breaks your shape up into triangular facets. Use one of the other formats (Parasolid, STEP, ACIS or IGES) if at all possible. If you have to use STL, then use the finest settings that you can. (Use Custom Resolution in the Export Options for STL and make the Deviation and the Angle as small as you can. The Angle may be more important than the Deviation. You will have to play around with the values till you get the best approximation that you can.)
        
        Jerry S.
        
        Like Show 0 Likes(0)
        
        Actions
        
        Re: Jaded edges in Lofted airfoil
        
        Karthik A May 24, 2013 1:11 AM (in response to Jerry Steiger)
        
        Hi Jerry,
        I use ArtCAM to generate the codes for the CNC machine. It does not support Parasolid, STEP, ACIS or IGES, it has only STL, 3ds, 3da, dxf, 3dp and dmt. I will try changing the deviation and angle to the minimum possible value and export it to the software. I hope this would give out smooth profiles.
        
        Thanks
        
        Like Show 0 Likes(0)
        
        Actions
        
        Re: Jaded edges in Lofted airfoil
        
        Anna Wood May 23, 2013 9:52 PM (in response to Karthik A)
        
        STL is about the worst format that you can use for CNC machining. This file type is typically used for 3D printing.
        
        What CNC software are you using?
        
        What file types can your CNC software open?
        
        Cheers,
        
        Anna
        
        Like Show 0 Likes(0)
        
        Actions
        
        Re: Jaded edges in Lofted airfoil
        
        Karthik A May 24, 2013 1:15 AM (in response to Anna Wood)
        
        Hello Anna,
        
        I use ArtCAM to get the codes which would be then loaded to NC Studio to give commands to the CNC machine.
        This Artcam only supports STL, 3ds, 3da, dxf, 3dp and dmt files.
        
        Like Show 0 Likes(0)
        
        Actions

Go to original post