Mould design of twisted shape

[davemorl]

Hi,

What would be the best way to create a mould for a twisted body, for say something like a fan blade or prop blade. I would imagine design the body you want then create a body over it then subtract it.

My problem is then splitting the mould body along the contours of the twisted curved shape along the edge of the blade to the mould parts. I'm obviously missing something that I've never used yet.

Thanks.

[davemorl]

Right I think I'm almost there but a loft issue has stumped me. I've created all the rails using projection onto faces and the two profiles and the centreline rail.

My issue is that when I go to loft it is coming up with an error saying that my rail doesn't intersect with all the profiles. I've zoomed in and they seem to have not snapped to the points. I've tried offsetting a plane on both ends so they intersect but still no joy. Any ideas?

[TheCADWhisperer · Accepted solution]

I can drag your sketches (especially Sketch6) all over the screen.

I am not familiar with working with unconstrained/undimensioned sketches.

If the sketch endpoints do not auto coincident constrain - the P for Project Geometry will become your closest friend.

[davemorl]

I think I'm getting there slowly but surely. 

Thank you for your advice, time and patience. 

Just need to split the body now and figure out the best plane to do it so I get the draft on the mould with the correct parting lines.

[TheCADWhisperer]

I meant to tell you earlier that I would probably use lines and arcs rather than splines in Sketch1.

And you are missing Horizontal and Vertical constraints in Sketch1.

Sketch2 appears to be missing a Vertical constraint.

Sketch4 is missing a Vertical constraint.

Plane1 is sick.

Sketch6 is sick and one corner is not Coincident constrained.

Plane2 is an unnecessary duplication of the XY plane.

Sketch8 is sick.

Plane3 is an unnecessary duplication of the XY plane.

Sketch10 is missing a dimension (wasn't it there at one time)?

Once these issues are fixed I can demonstrate how you can get more control over your Loft.

[davemorl]

Thank you all for your amazing help. It's been a steep learning curve but I've got there in the end.

Cheers lads!

[Anonymous]

please explain choosen solution! 

[davemorl]

Hi,

If you download my file and go through my timeline at the bottom it would explain it better than anyway I could with words. I hope this helps.