I have a part that has a fairly complex machining path. In the part below, the path is a spline, and the floor twists as the slot progresses.
I can make the geometry using the conventional modeling tools, but wanted to investigate different techniques.
The geometry I need could be duplicated with an endmill, but the path and angle would need to be defined by splines. Is there a way to 'Cut' the part just as one would using a 5-axis machine?
can you put up the part so I can look at it to see the geom better?
I machine everyday using SW and HSMWorks
Look into the Solid Sweep feature. It might give you what you want using a path and guide curve (to control the twist).
Hi Jamil....
The Solid Sweep is what I want, thanks, but somehow I'm missing how to add a guide curve to a Solid Sweep. As soon as I select Solid Sweep, the ability to choose a guide curve goes away.
that is correct because of the body and its shape cannot stretch or deform, that is what the guide curves would try do when sweeping.
Ahh, it appears you are right. I have experimented a bit and discovered a method to guide the orientation of the tool. You can loft a surface between the path and the guide curve, then when you create the solid sweep select the edge of that surface as your path (not the original sketch) and set the path alignment type to "All Faces". Now the sweep should follow that surface orientation (which was controlled by your guide curve). If you have SW2014 or later you can see my attached example.
Wow! You are amazing!
This works very nicely. Thanks very much.
The feature I think you are looking for is Solid Sweep. It can mimic a tool passing through a part. That's the good news. The bad news is it doesn't really work--and SolidWorks does not look to be moving to fix it any time this decade.
But there is more good news!
If you really are OK with this being a 5-axis part, 5-axis machines can machine pretty much arbitrary geometry. I don't think you have to agonize over this too much.
Ahh, it appears you are right. I have experimented a bit and discovered a method to guide the orientation of the tool. You can loft a surface between the path and the guide curve, then when you create the solid sweep select the edge of that surface as your path (not the original sketch) and set the path alignment type to "All Faces". Now the sweep should follow that surface orientation (which was controlled by your guide curve). If you have SW2014 or later you can see my attached example.