Creating internal volumes as separate solid bodies

[je.karlsen]

Hi,😄

I aim to create a generative design study where I'm going to investigate the possibility of using additive manufacturing for producing a valve with a very complicated internal geometry. 

I need bodies for defining input/output and also preserved and obstacle geometries,

My question:

• How do I create an internal body separate from the external geometry, i.e., making the fluid body while keeping the external geometry in inventor? 
• I have tried to use boundary patches and sculpt, filling the whole internal void, but it only joins with the rest of the valve geometry (i want them separated)

Can someone help me? 🙂

[JDMather]

Derived Components 

Attach your file(s) here.

[kresh.bell]

Hi,

have you tried sculpt?

[Gabriel_Watson · Accepted solution]

For simple cavities (not many entry points) try this:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor/learn-explore/caas/screencast/Main/Details/757fd8af-...

For more complex manifolds, use the solution here:
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/inventor-forum/filling-an-irregularly-shaped-object/m-p/10882762/high...

[je.karlsen]

Thank you for your input, I have tried the provided steps. However, when doing the final step (delete faces with "lump or toggle" ON) the whole part vanishes since I only can choose the whole body. I attached an image of the steps until the last step.

Do you have any ideas about what I can do?😁

[JDMather]

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@je.karlsen wrote:

Do you have any ideas about what I can do?😁

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@je.karlsen 

The question is marked as “Solved” but you still have a question?

Attach your *.ipt file here and end all doubt.

If the design is proprietary then simply make up a dummy file that can be used to illustrate the technique.

[je.karlsen]

Hi,

Oh, I did not realize it was marked as solved.
It is not yet entirely solved, I still have some troubles, and hopefully, @Gabriel_Watson can help 🙂

[Gabriel_Watson · Accepted solution]

Ok, I think your model falls in the first scenario of the case/link I posted, where you need to create "lids" for the internal cavity before applying the solution. Because your valve has the internal cavity open, when you destroy the "mold" solid's outer walls, you end up losing the internal volumes with it. The other forum post solution from my second link had an already completely enclosed volume inside the solid board.

@JDMather has a great video on this as well:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/inventor-products/getting-started/caas/screencast/Main/Detail...

[je.karlsen]

Thank you very much @Gabriel_Watson, this works perfectly also on very advanced geometries!😀

Quick summary for others that struggle with this:

1. Make sure that all openings to the cavity are sealed with lids (this was my problem)
2. Create a "mold" that covers the whole part (rectangular bar) and execute it as a new solid
3. Select delete face and chose all faces of the mold with "lump or toggle OFF"
4. Redo delete face and select the face of the solid, now with "lump or toggle ON" and OK

Thanks again 😎