How to create one clean surface.
I'm looking for help creating one large clean surface either from many surfaces or a solid with many faces.
What I'm working with.
I'm working with a Catia model with a geometric set of surfaces and I'd like to make one large surface out of them to use as a cutting tool in another CAD application (Mastercam) for making a sheet metal form tool.
I've had no luck creating one surface or thickening all the surfaces in Catia So, export as a step and import to SolidWorks still not getting anywhere with this. Also, the surfaces in blue are the most in need being joined.
Any ideas?
Thank you, John
2 Answers
A break in the surface may represent a loss of curvature continuity.
But, a "line" in the surface may not be an issue. Mastercam should be able to form a tool path of the surface whether it is a single surface, or made of several surfaces. The main concern is the quality of the surface, not the number of surfaces (unless this is some disaster imported from a mesh model, then quality, and quantity are a problem).
It is hard to suggest how to fix it without seeing it, but my first suggestion is to make use of the Boundary Surface tools in SOLIDWORKS. If working in Catia, I'm sure there is a similar tool set.
First thing I would try is a join to make one surface from all the little ones. This will allow you to check for continuity. I would also use the Federation option if you have it.
What do you mean by "clean" ?
