How Do You Create A Plug To Fill Odd Hole

[Anonymous]

This is a bit of an odd question, but I'm trying to create a plug to fit a unique shaped hole. I created one and 3D printed one and it fits, but has various gaps around it in areas.

My question is how do you go about replicating the shape of the hole which has curved edges?

Any help would be appreciated and I posted what I have already created.

Justin

[laughingcreek]

What's the hole your trying to plug look like?

And Native fusion files will be much more useful here than STL's

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the quick reply. I didn't even think about it when I posted the STL.

I have attached the native file along with a picture of the object I am trying to create a plug for.

It is for a 30 oz tumbler to plug the hole, but allow a straw through.

[Anonymous]

My method of creating the initial plug may not of been the best, but it has been awhile since I have modeled anything and I'm still pretty new to it.

[laughingcreek]

since you can print it, you might try creating a tapered plug that is close, and use it to test the fit.  you should be able to stick it in the hole and take direct measurements off the test plug.  trial and error should get you close.

another thought is that it doesn't have to be a good fit everywhere.  just flange over the top, and get a good snap fit in a few key spots.

Here's my first try at a "test plug" that's tapered.  I didn't have any idea of the size of the cup, so I just took a guess on scaling it.

[Anonymous]

Right I got one printed and it fit, but there is just random gaps in certain areas.

I guess I'm just not really sure how to mimic the curve properly with the right measurements.

If I can't figure that out then a flange may be a route to go that I didn't consider.

Thanks for sending the test plug. That definitely looks better than what I came up with, but doesn't quite match the shape of the hole. I know you were just going off a picture though and I actually sent a picture of a 20 oz lid. I can't find a 30 oz one online, but I could always snap my own photo.

Thanks again for your time.

[laughingcreek]

Another option ight be to model an entire new lid, instead of trying to model the odd shape hole.  I would think measuring the diameter of the cup would be easier than trying to measure the various parts of the hole.  Just a thought.  (I drink a lot of coffee.  Pretty much every lid I've ever had had room for improvement).