how to build internal hollow sections in a solid part

[hugolopessilva]

Hi all,

I have a solid part, built in Inventor. I would like some help on doing the following: I would like to dig my part, in to build internal hollow sections. I know that I can do that with extrude, but I think it only works if the channels are straight. In this case, I would like to build complex forms, such as coils or hollow-sections with curves. I attach a dummy part. Could you guide me on what feature to use and how to stetch and apply the sketch, if I would like to build the hollows at the section's midpoint of plane xz (along the length of the part)?

I thank you in advance,

Best regards,

[leowarren34]

Hi @hugolopessilva,

As for creating hollow sections you could look at the shell command as well as the sweep command set to cut.

Another option for more exotic geometry is to use the Combine cut command to cut where the two bodies intersect.

[mdavis22569]

 This is possible a few ways.

You can model it on a plane and then model up the sketch you want to remove.  (almost like a model)

Same with a coil, model extrude cut it.

You can also make the interior cut out / area you want removed and use Sculpt to remove it from the part.

A lot of different options and tools are available. 

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! On top of what Leo and Mike already mentioned, there are indeed multiple ways to do that. You can use Offset (Thicken) and Ruled Surface to build the hollowing surfaces. Then use Sculpt or Split to make the cut.

Please share a bit more detail of what exactly you want to do. There should be a way to do it.

Many thanks!

[hugolopessilva]

Hello!

Thank you for the very informative replies.

Well, I would like to do curved cilinders, inside a solid. I atach an .ipt part. There is one circle on each of the two sketches that I would like to work on. However, I can't connect the center of the two circles by arcs to be able to use the sweep command and then combine. I defined a working axis, but when I try to build the line, it is never drawn in the direction I want (from one stetched circle to the other). I know this can be done, but this is a new situation for me.

Thank you once again to all the people for the help.

Best regards,

Hugo Silva

[mdavis22569]

What about Loft? 

[JDMather · Accepted solution]

Something like this (See Attached).

Do you have a image or link to something similar that already exists in the real world.

Or is this a novel design never before seen by man, woman or beast?

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I suspect this is related to feature order. Inventor part is history and order based. A feature created earlier cannot reference geometry created later.

The Work Axis1 was created before Sketch6. As a result, it cannot reference the center point of the cirlce in Sketch6. You need to move Work Axis1 to the bottom of the browser. Next make Sketch2, 4, and 5 invisible (to avoid confusion). Right-click on Work Axis1 -> Redefine -> pick the two center points. Is this what you were looking for?

Many thanks!

[hugolopessilva]

Hi!

Thank you all again for all the help!!

Dear Mr. JDMathers,

That is exactly the geometry that I would like to build. Could you please give more details about what you did? I know it's all in the tree of the .ipt file, but I am not very proficient.

Thank you,

[hugolopessilva]

Dear Mr. JD Mathers,

I tried to reproduce the part that you made. However, when I try to do the splines that connect the center of one circle to the other, I can't start the sketch at the center of one circle. When I try to do it, a sketch is created at the top face. Can you help me?

Thank you,

Hugo

[JDMather]

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@hugolopessilva wrote:

Can you help me?

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No file attached here?