Is there a better way to make this rib other than revolve?

[rrauenza]

What I've done here will work, but it ends up with a rib (the triangular section in the foreground) that isn't a true rectangle at its base due to the revolve.  Depending on the diameter of the ring it is attached to, it could be a weak point.

Its sketch and revolve are the last two items in the history.

Design:  https://a360.co/2HMiGAu

Edit:  Also -- I made a copy of the project to share the specific version so I could continue working on it.  Is there a better way to share a specific snapshot/version than making a copy? 

[whittakerdw]

Just to make sure, this is the rectangle you want to be square with the base? If so, can you file=>export your file as an .f3d file and attach it here?

[rrauenza]

Yes, the circled area is technically not square -- it's a wedge since it is made with a revolve.

I shared the design here:  https://a360.co/2HMiGAu -- is that ok instead of a f3d file?

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

The rib function in the create menu does to work well in this situation, so my recommendation would be to simply extend the sketch "into" the object and then extrude-join it.

[g-andresen · Accepted solution]

Hi Rich,

here is one way to design:

another one

Place the upper point of the loft wherever you want.

günther

[rrauenza]

Thank you both -- For loft, I had struggled earlier with a loft in a different area for the curved surface, so it hadn't occurred to me to try.  And just extruding from inside the object -- of course!  Thank you!

[whittakerdw]

I'm sorry I had a picture I meant to post with it but it somehow got away from me. But it looks like you got the right people on the job for you. Glad it worked.

[TrippyLighting]

I spoke to soon about the Create->Rib tool. It works quite nicely in this case. However, it requires an open sketch, which is the reason I am changing the lines in the rib sketch to be construction (dashed) lines.

I do have to say, however, that I really like the look of the lofted rib @g-andresen posted. It might be a little bit more work, but it blends really nicely into the vertical member. You'll find that once you've created a rib with the methods I posted when you try to fillet you'll run into a snag or two 😉

While beauty is in the the eye of the beholder in the second part of the screencast I am showing how to improve the ugly fillet where the bottom ring and the vertical member join. When I delete the existing fillets I am warned that other features in the timeline depend on them. The very last sketch uses a projection and this fails when the fillets are deleted.

That is the reason decorative fillet belong at, or near the end of the timeline in and design. Edges of primary geometry are often used as references and fillets are mostly secondary geometry.