Here we go again. Happy New Year to all forum members.
As mentioned before, expected surface shape and tool shape are interacting. Additionally the diameter of the cylinder tube (external and internal) has influence.
If you want to follow a 3D path on the outside diameter of the tube, do this:
- Create the 2D contour like in Sketch3
- Offset this contour in 2D with tool radius
- Create two 3D curves on the outside of the tube. The upper curve is path for the tool axis
- Sweep the tool axis along the upper curve and create the leading surface for the tool axis
- Offset this surface with the tool radius. That's the shape, which results after machining
That's it, and it's true.
But why couldn't I offset a 0.5 in tool radius back? It's an Inventor self intersection limitation. You can see an upcoming sharp point at the interior tube region. I didn't test it, but IMO an increase of the inner tube diameter would solve it.
Here's room for improvements. Autodesk, are you listening? No Idea Station entry is provided.
Walter
Walter Holzwarth
