How To - Motor Fins

[bknutsonQ2WKP]

Hello All,

I am making a mock part of a motor assembly. The motor being modeled has a rectangular body , but has fins that appear to curve around the motor body (on each side with an exception for the motor electrical enclosure). I included an image of a schematic below I am modeling off of, as well as an image of an example isometric motor assembly showing another view of the fins. Does anyone have a good method of modeling motor fins in this body? 

[bknutsonQ2WKP]

Apologies, attached is the model I have been mocking up.

[BDCollett]

Create one fine, do a feature pattern around the body.

[cadman777]

Honestly, if this is a purchase part, you probably can download a STEP file off their server.

But if you are making a representation to use for mounting and coupling to drives or whatever, then you may want to consider omitting the fins and making the motor assembly as simple as possible, focusing on the main features such as blocks, cylinders, mount holes, etc. I've done that many times over the years, and it makes a huge assembly run much better when you model the purchase parts as simple shapes, esp. when you have a number of these kinds of purchase parts in the assembly.

But if you're making your own motor body for a casting, then I guess you have no choice and have to include the fins. In that case, I agree with @BDCollett : make one and array.

[JDMather]

Unresolved issues indicated in your history tree (i in circle).

How are you going to put a 1.0 inch diameter thread on a 0.15 inch cylinder?

[bknutsonQ2WKP]

JDMather,

These were just a placeholder for visual purposes. They have been corrected to the correct thread size. Thank you for the warning. 

[bknutsonQ2WKP]

Cadman777,

The part is more for marketing/sales purposes. I was unable to retrieve a STEP from the supplier, so I figured I would mock it up myself quick. 

Regarding the pattern for the fins, I imagine this would have to be a set of multiple patterns, correct? One for the rounded edged of the body and then others for the linear sides? Or is there a feature that will allow you to extend a pattern along the faces edge? 

[cadman777]

 I really can't tell from the pic all that exist on the model.

But maybe you can rect. pattern them on one side, then circ. pattern them around the motor, that is, if the motor is square. But maybe you want to do something like this? 

I just looked at your model in InventorView and it looks like what I would consider a finished model, no ribs required. Unless you have tight space constraints at the installation, I wouldn't worry about the ribs, b/c it looks like it's complicated enough already.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! If I understood the request correctly, Surface Modeling might help here. You can create the fins or ribs with rectangular profiles. Next, create a surface following the main body. Then use the surface to cut away excess.

Many thanks!