Knit Command Failing in SolidWorks
My initial question seems to have disapeared after I tried to update it so I'm reposting, lmk if it's a duplicate and I'll delete
I'm designing a part cooling fan duct for a 3d printer, and my process for designing ducts has generally been to model the airflow path as a solid body and then shell outward. Due to the complex, small geometries of this particular duct the shell outward command wouldn't work.
So, I offset the faces and then went about reconstructing the gaps between them with surface tools. However, when I try to knit together at the end, it won't knit, despite being constructed using edge relations. No gaps are detected outside the threshold of gap control in the knit function. Using heal edges doesn't seem to help. I know the model is very messy as this was my first time trying to use surface modeling tools and I wasn't very good at it, but I would like to get this to knit if possible.
For now, I've successfully created the file I need to print by exporting the surface bodies as one stl and re-meshing in blender, then using a boolean to subtract the air pathway, but I would like to have this model as a solid body so that i can integrate it with other parts of the 3d printer tool-head.
Along with the solidpart file I've uploaded a step of the inner airflow path that wouldn't shell, as well as one with the surfaces the wont knit but they become distorted when saving as a step. Screenshot shows what it looks like in Solidworks with the blue highlighted edges being the ones that wont knit.
If you have any suggestions let me know, Thanks!
EdgesWontKnit.png
PartCoolingDuctWithSurfaces.STEP
PartCoolingDuctSTEP.STEP
PartCoolingDuctPost.SLDPRT
4 Answers
It is a little hard to help you because the design intent of the part is unclear. There are umpteen little strange faces with convoluted geometry and choppy outlines in your model, that have no purpose (because they are tiny, < 1 mm). You seem to use surface tools like patching features to close holes with irregular edges, but when you do this, the surfaces will be terrible, because they reflect the unevenness of the edges.
I suggest that you take a step back and remodel the main sides of the part so that they are straight and clean and nice. Then you can add surface-cuts to accommodate whatever other elements sits near the fan duct. This will result in a model with clean geometry that can be shelled (inward).
Also, just where are the air openings supposed to be?
ususally irreguler and not well connected surface which have tiny gaps show error during knit command in solidworks.
Okay, I have made the part in a fashion that I suggest that you try to emulate. It is just a hack job, based on one of your step-files (I can't open your later version SW) and not particular accurate, but the surfaces are sound and can be knitted together, thickened and shelled.
I still don't understand where you want the air holes to be, or rather, why you have the curved-slot-extrusions in that area? I also question why the part needs to be so wide (almost circular seen from the top) and thick depth-wise (bulging backwards). Wouldn't it work just fine with straighter transitions?
Anyway, you can have a look and maybe find a trick or two:
Here are some suggestions to address your issue with knitting surfaces in SolidWorks:
Check for gaps or overlaps between the surfaces.
Adjust the gap control settings in the knit command.
Verify surface continuity between adjacent surfaces.
Consider reconstructing surfaces using different techniques.
Simplify the geometry by breaking it down into smaller parts.
Seek help from the SolidWorks community or online resources.
These steps can help you overcome the challenges of knitting surfaces in your model.
Regards,
Rachel Gomez
