Combining object / tracing or Offsetting bodies

[docara]

Hello All,

Further to a similar question I posted recently - I am trying to make a mounting frame for an instrument which is not designed to be panel mounted.

I have enclosed a JPG of the instrument (controller.)

I have accurately produced the surface of the controller in F360 (f3d enclosed). Whilst the wrong size, I have also included a PNG of my first attempt of a frame, for reference, so you can get an idea of look of my finished frame.

I'm trying to produce a 3d model based on the contours and shape of the controller which I can combine into a form which holds the controller in place but looks like the frame from the outside including the mitred corners. I need to allow 1mm ish offset for a neoprene/foam cushioning border which the controller pushes into the frame.

I can't offset from the faces of the body - so how do I go about sketching what I need because of the chamfered sides of body? I now I'm not making much sense but I hope you can get what I am trying to say.

The only thing I can think to do is reproduce the frame as a solid then CUT (Combine) what I have produce here to produce the relief. Do a sweep on the sides then somehow try to hollow the remainder of the frame out. almost back to Boolean adding and subtracting of components. But I wanted the component dimensions to drive the finished frame dimensions.

Heeelllppp!!!!

Thanks

Matt

[etfrench]

I'd start by modeling the controller.  It looks like a simple rectangle with filleted edges. Make the model 1mm larger than the actual controller. Place the controller model in your base model. Use Combine|Cut with Keep Tools option to fit the controller to the base.  You may need to use Push/Pull to increase the thickness of the base.

[docara]

Hi Ettfrench

Could you explain the procedure with a little more detail please.

I have modelled the controller but F360 kept crashing with this file active and the model ended up corrupted and lost a few bits so I started again with the files I originally posted

Matt

[etfrench]

Can you post the mount file?

Here's a screencast of combining the two files you've posted:

How did you model the controller?  It seems like there are missing sketches. Both files are showing errors in the timeline.  These should be corrected as soon as they occur to avoid trouble later in the model.

Review Rule #1

[docara]

Hi Etsfrench,

Wow that was impressive!!

The missing sketches and corruption are from multiple crashes of F360 which has happened over the last few days.

Because of the problems I've decided to start reconstructing the model from scratch (again).

I think what you have shown me will be invaluable - I was pondering if perhaps I could use the SCALE command on my (new) finished model to form the basis of constructing the frame.

I have included my latest file and perhaps you could help me on another (slightly off topic) but related issue. On my original design I used the LOFT command to create the raised section then FILLETed the corners.

This time I extruded back from the connector face so I have now lost the rear slope/fillet. I have constructed a sketch line on the corner but cannot duplicate side edges to the back could you show me how I can produce this face.

Thank you

Matt

[etfrench · Accepted solution]

First step is to use Rule #1

You're using way to many sketches.  Only two sketches are needed to do this first part.  Also it looks like sketch3 was deleted and later sketches depended on it.  The yellow warnings show in the timeline.  You should repair those as soon as they occur.

Here's a screencast showing how to create the model. I used the Project command to move the needed geometry to the new component's sketch, but normally, you would just draw it in that sketch.  I used the measure tool to get distances from the previous model, but you know the distances.  Putting those in User parameters would make it easier to create the model (and modify it later).

[docara]

HI Etfrench,

Unbelievable - 5 minutes work - I've been trying to do this for nearly three weeks!

Clearly I just don't get the interface, required procedures or the  order of commands of F360.

Surely somewhere there is a nice long tutorial detailing what is required from the software the order of doing thing etc so new users can form a foundation from which to learn.

I've been dabbling with Acad for over 20yrs but I just cant 'get' this software or what is required of me its soo frustrating - the lack of prompts doesn't help.

My thanks and Kudos d not seem enough somehow - thank you

Matt