Pattern of holes normal to complex surface

[Anonymous]

I am trying to model up a set of grips that has many small overlapping pockets machined into it. I am trying to figure some way of wrapping the pattern around the object so that all of the pockets are normal to the surface at that point and are correctly spaced to maintain the small overlap. I have tried making a grid of points and projecting to surface but the spacing is no longer consistent on the curved portion. 

attached is a photo of what I am trying to achieve and a photo of the model. The curve at the front and back of the model are not parallel. 

[g-andresen]

Hallo,

watch the screencast , try and edit

günther

[Anonymous]

Thank you,

That is the idea. What you posted I can do. My trouble comes in when the sides are not parallel. I modified your example to show what I mean about the geometry. I have been struggling with this for weeks now and have not been able to figure out any way to accomplish this. 

[g-andresen]

Hi,

At first glance, I think that such a thing can only be realized in a workaround via a sheet metal body.

Surely the experts in the forum will give some hints.

günther

[MichaelT_123]

Hi Mrs MartyVanHoeckel,

Please find this  crude way of approaching the problem. I hope that after some additional touches the model will pass aesthetic threshold. 

Regards

MichaelT

[g-andresen]

Hi,

watch the screencast and check the timeline

günther

[g-andresen · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Here is another model.
The procedure for this is simpler.

Screencast

günther

[Anonymous]

That is the closest I can come. It works on the simple solid made for example but on my actual part, even a simplified one, it fails to unwrap. Unfortunately the error messages are not all that useful. I have attached a simplified version of my model that I was attempting to follow the process on with no success. How can I get it to unwrap so that I can continue? Or what about this model is preventing it from unwrapping so I can potentially adjust the design?

[g-andresen]

Hi,

1. post the file next time with the first post.
This avoids unnecessary effort.
2. your problems start with the first sketch, which is without reference.
3. in the same sketch there is an error in the transitions to the arcs, which later prevent the Unfold operation.

I will try tomorrow to bring light into the darkness with a screencast.

günther

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I appreciate your help. I pulled out a section of my model which is what I attached. That is why the references are broken. I do not want to post the entire model. 

I definitely needed the help with the metal unfold. I had tried following similar tutorials and it wasn't until your simplified file that it finally clicked. I think if I can just figure out why it wont unfold I should be good. I am looking at the transitions to the curved portion in the sketch but am not seeing the issue. I will continue and report back if I solve it before you get a chance to look at this again. 

Once again, thank you for the help. 

[g-andresen · Accepted solution]

Hi,

I do not want to post the entire model. 

And thus you complicate the support from the forum.

Simply check the sketch.

It is not constrained at all. Add tangent constrained between vertical lines and arcs.

The absence of tangential transitions does not prevent conversion to a sheet body, but it does prevent unfold.

Günther

[Anonymous]

That solved it. Adding the tangent constraint into the drawing allowed the unwrap. From there I was able to follow the rest of your example. 

Sorry, this was just one component of a much larger model and I was trying to keep it as simple as possible. In doing so I added more confusion. Lesson learned. 

Thank you again for the support. I have struggled with this for weeks trying to come up with a method before resorting to the forum. 

[g-andresen]

Hi,

I'm glad it worked.

Please mark contributions that made a solution by checking them as "Accepted Solution".
This will make it easier for future readers.

günther