Split Part or Maybe Another Way?

[SteveFrey]

The attached sketch represents multiple 9 pieces of glass on a wall.  I drew it as a 2D sketch just to get an idea of what it looks like assembled.  I'm trying to figure out the best way to split a part into multiple pieces and then be able to trim about 1/16" off of each side.  In reality each part would have about 1/16" trimmed away on most sides and some will have more depending on the location.  Is this possible to do after splitting a part?  I know you can split a single part but is there a way to do all 9 at once or does each split need to be done individually with one sketch?  The easiest way I can see to do this is to split the parts and move them apart a few inches like a .IPN drawing but my main concern is the perimeter deductions. 

[mluterman]

The best way to automate that process is with iLogic.

[JDMather]

I would consider multi-body solids and then Manage>Make Components.

You can Offset the faces either before or after Make Components.

[MSD1]

So it looks like I would have to sketch the complete outline first and extrude it as a dummy part then sketch each part individually to make new solids.  Does that sound correct?  

How do I offset the faces?  I tried but I can't remove material, only add.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I believe Rib command can help. Please share your attempt here. I can try using Rib to make it work.

Many thanks!

[SteveFrey]

I'm not familiar with iLogic but I'm learning.  What would the general workflow be? 

[SteveFrey]

How would the rib command work in generating parts?

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Steve,

The Rib command will not create parts directly. It helps create the thin extrusion, which Inventor does not support in Extrude command. To make it parts, you will need to create multiple solid bodies and then use Make Components to push the solid bodies into individual parts.

If you can share a part with the sketch, I should be able to show the technique in Rib.

Many thanks!

[JDMather]

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@SteveFrey wrote:

The attached sketch represents multiple 9 pieces of glass on a wall.  I drew it as a 2D sketch just to get an idea of what it looks like assembled. 

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No Inventor *.ipt sketch attached?

[SteveFrey]

I uploaded tow sketches.  SK2 represents all the parts that would make up the wall (minus the deductions).  SK3 represents the perimeter only.  I'm not sure the best way to construct this so I sent both to simplify it.  

[SteveFrey]

Johnson, I just uploaded the parts to another post but here they are.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Steve,

Many thanks for sharing the files! I think the Rib command can help this case. The tricky thing is to have the proper solid body to begin with. Rib isn't a standalone feature. It requires a shelled or hollow body to work with. Please take a look at the attached part. The Sketch1 has quite a few loops and some are overlapped, which can cause confusion in terms of which side to use. Instead of doing it in one shot, I project the rectangle to a new sketch one at a time. Create the Rib (thin feature). Project the Rib face loop and create a new Extrusion solid body. Just repeat the process for the rest of the rectangles.

Many thanks!

[SteveFrey]

Hi Johnson:

The section to the far left would look like the attached part.  Is this possible to do with what you're describing?  Ultimately I would need to split everything apart from the original sketch so I would have 9 individual parts as shown in the attached example.  

[SBix26]

The attachment (Inventor 2021 format) is one way of getting there, though not in one neat operation.  I extruded the nine panels as nine separate solid bodies, then used the Thicken tool on selected edges of each solid body to create the clearance you need.

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Sam B

Inventor Pro 2023.1.1 | Windows 10 Home 21H2

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Steve,

I think I might have misunderstood your request. Actually, I don't think you need to use Rib command. What about just extrude the panel profile as a separate solid body? Would it work?

Many thanks!

[SteveFrey]

This technique shows promise.  I'm going to play around with it a bit.  Thanks.

[SteveFrey]

How did you go about creating the nine separate solid bodies?  Can I do it from the original sketch?  

[johnsonshiue]

Hi Steve,

Yes, just make the sketch visible or share the sketch (right-click on it). You may reuse the same sketch to create multiple solid bodies.

Many thanks!

[SteveFrey]

 I think I got it.  See attached.

[SteveFrey]

JD:

Is it possible to thicken all sides of a part in one click?  Is there a setting for this?  Or do I need to just click each side?

Also, is there a way to default the thicken command to the INSIDE direction instead of OUTSIDE?