Unigraphics NX8 - Detail Feature

[NX8-HELP] DETAIL FEATURE 1

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Edge Blend

Face Blend

Soft Blend

Fillet

Bridge

Spherical Corner

Chamfer overview

Draft

Draft Body

1. Edge Blend

Use the Edge Blend command to round sharp edges between faces.

You can do the following:

Add a single edge blend feature to multiple edges.

Create an edge blend of constant or variable radius.

Add corner setback points to change the shape of an edge blend corner.

Adjust the distances of the corner setback points from the corner vertex. You can use corner

setbacks to create ball nose blends, for example, and as an aid in sheet metal stamping of non-

styled surfaces.

Add stop short points to end an edge blend short of a specific point.

Where do I find it?

Application Modeling

Toolbar Feature→Edge Blend



Menu Insert→Detail Feature→Edge Blend

1.1. Create a circular edge blend with constant

radius

1. On the Feature toolbar, click Edge Blend or choose Insert→Detail Feature→Edge Blend.

In the Edge Blend dialog box, Select Edge is active.

2. In the graphics window, select edges for the first edge set.

For this example, two edge strings are selected.

Handles are displayed on the selected edges.

Tip It is recommended that you blend sets of edges at the same time, rather than blending edges

one at a time.

3. In the Edge to Blend group, from the Shape list, select Circular.

4. In the Radius 1 box, type a value to specify the radius of the first edge set.

For this example, the radius of the first edge set is set to 15.

5. Click Add New Set to complete the selection of the first edge set.



Select Edge is active.

6. In the graphics window, select more edges for the second edge set.

For this example, two edges are selected for the second edge set.

Handles are displayed on the selected edges.

7. In the Radius 2 box, type a value to specify the radius of the second edge set.

For this example, it is set to 20.

8. Click OK or Apply to create the edge blend feature.



1.2. Create a conic edge blend

1.

Click Edge Blend .

2.

Select a set of edges for the first edge set.

3.

In the Edge Blend dialog box perform the following

actions:

1. From the Shape list select Conic.

2. From the Conic Method list select Boundary

and Center.

3. Type 3 in the Boundary Radius 1 box.

4. Type 2 in the Center Radius 1 box.

5. Click Add New Set .

4.

Select a second set of edges for the next edge set.

5.

Perform the same actions on the second edge set that

you performed on the fist.



6.

Click OK.

1.3. Create an edge blend of variable radius

This example shows how to create a blend with varying radius by defining points along the edge at which

you want to vary the radius of the blend.



2. Select edges for the edge set.

For this example, three edges are selected for the edge set.


4. In the Radius 1 box, type a value to specify the radius




5. In the Variable Radius Points group, click Specify New Location.

6. Click Point and specify points on the edges where you want to set a variable radius value.

For this example, two variable radius points are selected on a vertical edge.

7. To specify variable radius values, in the Variable Radius Points group, do the following:

a. Click List.

The list shows the two selected variable radius points, V Radius 1 and V Radius 2.

b. Select V Radius 1 and in the V Radius 1 box, type a value.


c. Select V Radius 2 and in the V Radius 2 box, type a value.


8. Move the location of a variable radius point by choosing a Location option: %Arc Length, Arc

Length, or Through Point.

For this example, %Arc Length for V Radius 2 is set to 45.



Note If you manually move the point location by changing the value for % Arc Length, the point

loses its associativity.

9. Click OK or Apply to create the blend feature with variable radius points.

1.4. Add setback points to an edge blend corner

This example shows how to change the curvature of the corner when you blend three or more edges.



2. Select three edges that intersect at a corner for the edge set.



Handles are displayed on the selected edge set.


4. In the Corner Setback group, do the following:

a. Click Select End Point .

b. Select the vertex point of the blend corner that has three edges.

A corner setback with default values is displayed at the vertex, and is aligned along the

three edges.

c. Click List to display the setback points.

d. Select each setback point from the list and change the value in the Point Setback box.

For this example, Point 2 Setback 1, Point 2 Setback 2, and Point 2 Setback 3 are

changed to 15, 20, and 25, respectively.



The new setback distances change the shape of the corner.

5. Click OK or Apply to create the blend with setback corners.

1.5. Stop an edge blend short of a corner

1. On the Feature toolbar, click Edge Blend or choose Insert→ Detail Feature→ Edge Blend.


2. In the graphics window, select edges for the first edge set.



For this example, one edge string is selected.


4. In the Radius 1 box, type a value to specify the radius of the first edge set.

For this example, the radius of the first edge set is set to 10.

5. In the dialog box, in the Stop Short of Corner group, do the following:

a. From the Stopping Location list, select At Distance.

b. Click Select End Point and select end points on the edge set where you want to stop

the blend.

The Location and Arc Length options appear.

Handles are displayed at the selected end points.

c. In the Location list, select Arc Length.

d. Click List to display the list of stop short points.

e. Select Stopshort1 and type a value in the Arc Length box.


f. Select Stopshort2 and type a value in the Arc Length box.




The stop short points are moved to the specified distances.

6. Click OK or Apply to create the blend.

1.6. Edge Blend dialog box Edge to Blend

Select Edge

Lets you select edges for an edge blend set.

Shape

Lets you specify the underlying shape for the cross section of the blend. Choose

from the following shape options:

Circular

Uses a single handle set to control a circular shaped blend.



Conic

Conic methods and handle sets control combinations of symmetric boundary edge

radius, center radius, and rho value to create a conical blend.

Conic Method

Available when Shape is set to Conic.

Lets you create symmetric conic blends using advanced methods to control the

blend shape.

Boundary and Center

The conic blend section is defined by specifying a symmetric boundary radius and

a center radius.

Boundary and Rho

The conic blend section is defined by specifying a symmetric boundary radius and

a value for rho.



Center and Rho

The conic blend section is defined by specifying a center radius and a value for

rho.

Radius x

Available when Shape is set to Circular.

Sets a value for the radius for all the edges in the edge set.

Note The radius must be consistent with the geometry of the faces being blended.

For example, it must be possible to move away from all points in the

second face by at least the distance specified by the given radius.

Boundary Radius x

Available when Shape is set to Conic and Conic Method is set to .Boundary

and Center and Boundary and Rho.

Sets a value all boundary radii in the edge set.

Center Radius x

Available when Shape is set to Conic and Conic Method is set to Boundary and

Center and Center and Rho.

Sets a value for all center radii in the edge set.

Rho x

Available when Shape is set to Conic and Conic Method is set to .Boundary

and Rho and Center and Rho.

Sets a value for the rho in the edge set.

Variable Radius Points

Creates a variable radius blend by adding points with unique radius values to an edge blend.

Specify New

Location

Available when you select an edge using Select Edge in the Edge to Blend

group.

Lets you add points and set radius values along edges in an edge set.



Note You can define a variable radius point location that is not on the

blend edge. NX automatically projects it to the edge.

Variable radius points are associative. If you move the associated

point when the part is updated, the variable radius location moves

with it. If you delete the point, the variable radius location for that

point continues to exist (as a percent of arc length), but is no longer

associative.

V Radius xx

Available when you select a variable radius point.

Sets the radius at the selected point.

xx is the number representing the variable radius point.

Note You can change the radius values in the graphics window.

Variable radius points with drag handles

Location

Available when you select a variable radius point.

Lets you specify one of the following options to position the variable radius point

on the edge.

Arc Length Sets the specified value for the arc length.

Enter the distance values in the Arc Length box.

% Arc

Length

Sets variable radius point as a percent of total edge arc

length.

Enter the distance values in the % Arc Length box.

Through

Point

Lets you specify a variable radius point.

Specify New Location options are available.

Note You can also do the following:

Drag the variable radius point handle along the edge.

Type values in the on-screen input box.

Note If you manually move the point location by changing the value for % Arc

Length, the point loses its associativity.

Tip Right-click a point handle to toggle between Arc Length and % Arc

Length.



Corner Setback

Select End Point

Lets you select a corner end point in an edge set and displays a drag handle at

each edge.

Use the drag handles to increase the corner radius values as required.

Note Do not use this option for creating curvature continuous faces.

Point 1 Setback 1

Sets the distance for the currently selected setback point to the value you specify.

Note The option Point 1 Setback 1 corresponds to the first point set and the first

set back. The number varies according to the point set and the edge you

select.

Stop Short of Corner

Stops an edge blend at a point short of the end of the edge.

Select End Point

Lets you select a blend end point and the stopping location on an edge to be

blended.

After you select the edge end point, you can specify the Stopping Location.

Stopping Location list

Available when you select an end point.

At Distance stops the blend short of the edge end point.

Stop Short of Corner using At Distance At Intersection stops a blend at the selected vertex where multiple blends

intersect.

Note You cannot use At Distance at an end point where edge blends intersect.

Tip Use At Intersection to create multiple edge blends at a complex vertex,

where the default resolution is likely to fail, so that blend-to-blend

intersections can be resolved using a manually created patch.

Location list

Available when you select an end point in the Select End Point group.

Arc Length lets you specify a value for arc length at which you want to

select a stop point.



% Arc Length lets you specify the percentage of the arc length at which

you want to select a stop point.

Through Point lets you select a point on the model.

Specify Point options are available.

Trimming

Trims an edge blend to a selected face or plane.

Before and after trimming

User Selected

Objects

When selected, opens the following options to let you specify objects and

locations to use to trim blend faces.

Limit Object

Lists methods for trimming the edge blend with specified objects.

The limiting plane, face, or edge set (or its extensions) becomes the end cap for

the blend.

Plane Trims the edge blend with one or more planes in face sets.

Specify Plane

Lets you specify planes to trim the blend.

Face Trims the edge blend with one or more faces in face sets



Select Face

Lets you specify faces to trim the blend.

Edge Trims the edge blend with one or more edges in edge sets.

Select Edge

Lets you specify edges to trim the blend.

Use Limit Plane to

Cap Blend / Use

Limit Face to Cap

Blend

Available when Trim Object is set to Plane or Face.

Caps the blend using a plane or face.

Specify Point options are available.

Specify a point nearest to the intersection where you want the blend capped. Use

this method if the trim plane intersects the blend face in more than one location.

Specify Point

Available when Limit Object is set to Plane.

Specifys a point nearest to the intersection where you want the blend capped. Use

this method if the trim plane intersects the blend face in more than one location.

Overflow Resolutions



Controls how blend overflows are handled. Blend overflow occurs when tangent edges of a blend

encounter other edges on the solid.

Allowed Overflow Resolutions

Roll Over Smooth

Edges

Allows the blend to extend to a smoothly connected (tangent) face that it

encounters.

A new blend that overflows the edge of an existing blend.

The edge where the blends meet is smooth and shared.

When you select Roll Over Smooth Edges the edge is sharp and

shared.

Roll on Edges

(Smooth or Sharp)

Removes tangency with one of the defining faces, and allows blend to roll onto

any edge, whether smooth or sharp.

With the option selected, the edge remains unchanged and its tangency

with the face owning that edge is removed.



With the option not selected, the edge is changed and tangency with its

owning face is maintained.

Maintain Blend and

Move Sharp Edges

Allows the blend to maintain tangency with the defining faces, and moves any

encountered edges to the blend face.

Preview of edges with the option selected.

The blend tangency is maintained.

Explicit Overflow Resolutions

Controls whether the Roll On Edges (Smooth or Sharp) overflow option is applied to a selected edge.

Select Edge to Force

Roll on

Lets you select an edge on which you want to force the Roll On Edges (Smooth

or Sharp) option.



Select Edge to

Prohibit Roll on

Lets you select an edge on which you do not want to apply the Roll On Edges

(Smooth or Sharp) option.

For this edge blend, an encountered edge is selected with Select Edge to

Prohibit Roll on option. This will prevent the Roll On Edges (Smooth or

Sharp) option being applied to it. The Roll On Edges (Smooth or Sharp) option

is applied to the edge of the other cylinder as usual.

Settings

Overlapping Blends Within Feature

Consists of the Resolution and Blend Order lists.

Resolution list

Specifies how overlapping blends are resolved.

This option differs from those with Overflow Resolutions in that it only affects

the interaction of edges within a single edge blend feature. Overflow Resolutions

can be effective for any edge, including blend edges.

Maintain Blend and Intersect ignores that the blend is intersecting itself.

Both parts of the blend are trimmed by the intersection curve. When you

open parts with blends made in early versions of NX, they are assigned

this option.

If Different Convexity, Roll Over makes the blend roll over itself. Use

this option to roll the blend over itself when the convexity is different as

the blend encounters a portion of itself.

Regardless of Convexity, Roll Over makes the blend roll over itself

when the blend encounters a portion of itself, regardless of what the

convexity is.

Blend Order list

Specifies the order in which blends are created.

It is recommended that you try this option to create blends in situations where

they would otherwise fail.

Convex First creates the convex blends before concave blends.

Concave First creates concave blends before convex blends.

Blend All Instances

Blends all the instances in an array when you select one instance to blend.

Tip For instanced features, it is recommended that you add the edge blend

to the master feature, and not one of the instanced features. This is to



make sure that the edge blend will always remain visible in the

instance set even if the array parameters are later changed.

When creating instances, it is recommended that you first create the

parent feature and the edge blend and then create the instance

features. See Group Feature and Instance for details.

Special Blend at

Convex/Concave Y

Allows an alternate blend for some cases where edges form a Y-shape at a vertex.

Use this option to get a different shape for blends that meet the following criteria

The blends are of opposite convexity.

The blends meet at three or more edge vertices.

One blend rolls over the other.

Alternate blend shape at vertex using Special Blend at Convex/Concave Y

Remove Surface

Self-Intersections

Replaces intersections of the blend with itself with a smooth surface patch.

The patch area is not a true representation of a blend produced by a rolling ball,

but it is tangential to all the surfaces with which it connects.

This solution may allow an otherwise self-intersecting blend to be created but it

may be costly to produce the patched surface.

If you have not selected Remove Surface Self-Intersections option, make sure

that the offsets of the surfaces attached to the faces meeting at the edge to be

blended do not self intersect. These offsets of the surfaces attached to the faces

must intersect to define a "spine" curve for the blend.

Corner Setback

Specifies whether setbacks are included in the edge blend corner or if they are

kept separate.

Include with Corner includes the

setback in the corner

Separate from Corner keeps the

setback separate.



Tolerance

Lets you specify a distance tolerance for non-constant radius blends. Otherwise,

the default distance tolerance from Modeling Preferences is used.

For more information, see Modeling Preferences.

Tip If you are adding a blend to an edge that is already tolerant or across a

tolerant edge, the blend must be greater than twice the tolerance on the edge

or the edge being crossed.

1.7. Edge Blend Allowed Overflow Resolutions

1. On the left side of the animation, click to select a part type.

2. From the menu on the right, click to select an edge type.

3. In the dialog box, try different combinations of overflow resolutions.

1.8. Hierarchy for Allowed Overflow Resolutions in

edge blends Precedence when combining Allowed Overflow Resolutions options



Blend Conditions

Edge Being Blended

Encountered Edge

Roll Over

Smooth Edges

Roll On Edges

(Smooth or

Sharp)

Maintain Blend and

Move Sharp Edges

When the convexity of the encountered

edge is opposite that of the blended edge,

and the encountered edge is smooth.

Used First

Used Second

Not used


edge is opposite that of the blended edge,

and the encountered edge is sharp.

Not used Used First

Used Second


edge is the same as that of the blended

edge, and the encountered edge is

smooth.

Used First

Used Third

Used Second




edge is the same as that of the blended

edge, and the encountered edge is sharp.

Not used Used Second

Used First

2. Face Blend

Use the Face Blend command to add tangent blend faces between two or three sets of faces. The cross

section of the blend can be circular, conic, or law controlled.

This example shows a three-face blend along a variable-width rib, and two–face blends on both sides of

the rib.


For two–face blends, specify the blend cross section using several methods.

For two–face blends, select curves to control the tangent lines of the blend.

Create blends between faces that are not adjacent or are from different bodies.

Create blends as separate sheet bodies without sewing them to existing bodies.

Create symmetric and asymmetric conic blends with aesthetically balanced shapes.

Trim the ends of the blend to selected faces or locations.

Where do I find it?




Toolbar Feature→Face Blend

Menu Insert→Detail Feature→ Face Blend

2.1. Create a rolling ball face blend with a constant

radius

This example shows how to create a rolling ball face blend on two intersecting sheet bodies.

1. On the Feature toolbar, click Face Blend , or choose Insert→Detail Feature →Face Blend.

2. In the graphics window, select the first face chain and click the middle mouse button to complete

Face Chain 1.

3. (Optional) If the normals of a face chain do not point toward the approximate center of the blend,

click Reverse Direction .

4. In the graphics window, select the second face chain and click the middle mouse button to

complete Face Chain 2.

5. In the Cross Section group, do the following:

a. From the Section Orientation list, select Rolling Ball.

b. From the Shape list, select Circular.



c. From the Radius Method list, select Constant.

d. In the Radius box, type a value.

For this example, the radius is set to 20.

6. In the Trim and Sew Options group, do the following:

a. From the Blend Faces list, select Trim to All Input Faces.

b. Select the Trim Input Faces to Blend Faces check box.

c. Select the Sew All Faces check box.

7. Choose another command or click Apply to create the blend.

2.2. Create a swept section face blend

This example shows how to create a swept section face blend with a law controlled radius.

1. On the Feature toolbar, click Face Blend or choose Insert→Detail Feature →Face Blend.

2. From the Type list, select Two Defining Face Chains.

3. Select the first face and click the middle mouse button to complete Face Chain 1.

4. Select the second face in the graphics window.



5. (Optional) If the normals of the two face sets do not point toward the approximate center of the

blend, click Reverse Direction .


a. From the Section Orientation list, select Swept Section.

b. Select Select Spine Curve and select an edge parallel to the blend you want to create.

The spine curve is used for orienting the blend cross section and for defining varying

parameters for the law controlled radius.

c. From the Shape list, select Circular.

d. From the Radius Method list, select Law Controlled.

e. From the Law Type list, select Linear.

f. Specify values for Start and End.

For this example, Start and End are set to 50 and 80, respectively.

7. In the Settings group, clear the Terminate at Sharp Edge check box.

This allows the blend to cross the crease in the first face chain.




2.3. Create a face blend with an asymmetrical conic

cross section

This example shows how to create a conic cross section face blend.



3. Select the first face and click the middle mouse button to complete the Face Chain 1.

4. Select the second face in the graphics window.




a. From the Section Orientation list, choose Swept Section.

b. Select Select Spine Curve and select an edge parallel to the blend you want to create.

The spine curve is used for orienting the blend cross section and for defining varying

parameters for the law controlled radius.



c. From the Shape list, choose Asymmetric Conic.

d. From the Offset 1 Method list, choose Constant.

e. Specify a value for the Offset 1 Distance


f. From the Offset 2 Method list, select Constant.

g. Specify a value for the Offset 2 Distance


h. From the Rho Method list, select Constant.

i. Specify a value for the Rho.

For this example, it is set to 0.3.

Tip You can experiment with the Offset 1 Distance, Offset 2 Distance, and the Rho values by

dragging their respective handles and observing the effect on the blend preview.


2.4. Create a face blend with a tangent curve

This example shows how to create a face blend that is tangent along the curve to a face without trimming

the existing input faces.





3. Select the first face and click the middle mouse button to complete face chain 1.

4. Select face chain 2 in the graphics window.



6. In the Blend Cross Section group, do the following:

a. From the Section Orientation list, choose Rolling Ball.

b. From the Shape list, choose Circular.



c. From the Radius Method list, choose Tangency Constraint.

7. In the Constraining and Limiting Geometry group, click Select Tangent Curve and select

the curve as shown.

8. In the Trim and Sew Options group:

a. From the Blend Faces list, choose Trim to All Input Faces.

b. Clear the Trim Input Faces to Blend Faces check box.


2.5. Create a three-face blend

This example shows how to create a three-face blend along a variable-width rib.




2. From the Type list, select Three Defining Face Chains.

3. In the graphics window, select the first outside face chain and click the middle mouse button to

indicate that the face chain is complete.

4. (Optional) If the normals of a face chain do not point toward the approximate center of the blend,

click Reverse Direction .

5. Select the second outside face chain and click the middle mouse button to indicate that the face

chain is complete.



6. Select the middle face chain.

7. In the Trim and Sew Options group, do the following:

a. From the Blend Faces list, select Trim to All Input Faces.

b. Ensure that the Trim Input Faces to Blend Faces check box is selected.

c. Ensure that the Sew All Faces check box is selected.


2.6. Choose a face blend from multiple solutions

When creating face blends, NX displays multiple solutions depending on the options you select in Trim

and Sew Options.

In this example, after the input faces are selected, there are two possible solutions for the blend.

To select one of the solutions, do the following:

1. In the Face Blend dialog box, click Specify Point .

2. In the graphics window, click next to the solution that you want.

In this example, the solution with the normals is selected.

The preview is updated to show only the solution you choose.




2.7. Face Blend dialog box Type

Two Defining Face

Chains

Three Defining

Face Chains

Specifies whether you are blending two face chains or three face chains.

Face Chains

Select Face

Chain 1

Select Face

Chain 2

Lets you select the first and second sets of face chains.

For a two–face blend, you can click a shared edge to select all the faces in both face

chains.

Select Middle

Face or Plane

For a three–face blend, lets you select the middle face chain or a plane.

Cross Section

Section

Orientation

Rolling Ball

Creates a rolling ball face blend that resembles a surface created by a rolling ball in

constant contact with the input faces.

The plane of the cross section is defined by the two contact points and the center of

the ball.

Swept Section

Creates a swept section blend whose surface is controlled by a cross section swept

along the length of the spine curve, while normal to the spine curve.



Select Spine

Curve

Available when you select Swept Section from the Section Orientation list, or

when you specify Law Controlled for the Radius Method.

Lets you specify a spine curve for swept section blends or non-swept section blends

that use Law Controlled for the Radius Method.

All swept section blends require a spine curve to orient and sweep the cross section.

If you specify Law Controlled for the Radius Method, then the same spine is used

for defining varying parameters.

Shape Available when Type is set to Two Defining Face Chains.

Lets you specify the underlying shape for the cross section of a two face blend.

Choose from the following shape options:

Circular

Uses a single handle to control a circular shaped blend.

Symmetric Conic

Uses a single set of handles to simultaneously control both edges of the blend and

create a conical blend with symmetry.



Asymmetric Conic

Uses individual handles to control conical blend edges, varying the blend along each

edge.

Conic Method Available when Shape is set to Symmetric Conic.

Lets you create symmetric conic blends using advanced methods to control the blend

shape.

Boundary and Center

The blend is defined by specifying the boundary and center of the conic section.

Boundary and Rho

The blend is defined by specifying the boundary and rho of the conic section.



Center and Rho

The blend is defined by specifying the center and rho of the conic section.

Radius Method Available when Shape is set to Circular.

Constant — Keeps the blend radius constant except where you select a

tangent constraining curve.

Law Controlled — Varies the blend radius based on two or more individual

points along a spine curve according to Law Type and Value. For details,

see Law Types.

Tangency Constraint — Varies the blend radius so that its tangent line is

the curve or edge you select. The curve must lie within one of the defining

face chains.



Boundary Method Available when Shape is set to Symmetric Conic.

Specifies how to define a symmetrical conic blend using a boundary parameter.

Constant — Lets you set a fixed value for the Boundary Radius.

Law Controlled — Sets the boundary of the cross section of the blend along

a spine curve according to the Law Type and Value.

For details, see Law Types.

Note Not available when the Conic Method is set to Center and Rho.

Boundary Radius Available when Boundary Method is set to Constant.

Lets you specify a fixed value for the radius of the blend boundary.

Center Method Available when Shape is set to Symmetric Conic.

Specifies how to define a symmetrical conic blend using a center parameter.

Constant — Lets you set a fixed value for the Boundary Radius.

Law Controlled — Sets the boundary of the cross section of the blend along

a spine curve according to the Law Type and Value.


Note Not available when the Conic Method is set to Boundary and Rho.

Center Radius Available when Center Method is set to Constant.

Lets you specify a value for the radius of the blend from the center of the section.

Offset 1 Method Available when Shape is set to Asymmetric Conic.

Sets the method for the conic offset. You can select Constant or Law Controlled

for each conic offset.

Offset 1 Distance Available when Shape is set to Asymmetric Conic.

Sets the distance of the conic offset from the first face.

Offset 2 Method Available when Shape is set to Asymmetric Conic.

Sets the method for the second conic offset.

These input boxes define distances for offsets 1 and 2 when you choose the

Constant method.

Offset 2 Distance Available when Shape is set to Asymmetric Conic.

Sets the distance of the conic offset from the second face.



Rho Method Available when Shape is set to Symmetric Conic or Asymmetric Conic.

Specifies rho for conic cross sections.

Constant — Sets a constant value for rho.

Law Controlled — Sets the blend cross section along the spine curve

according to the Law Type and Value.


Automatic Ellipse — Sets a circular blend cross section or an ellipse of least

eccentricity.

Note Not available for Symmetric Conic when the Conic Method is set to

Boundary and Center.

Rho Available when:

Shape is set to Symmetric Conic or Asymmetric Conic

Rho Method is set to Constant

The value of Rho has the following effects on the cross section:

0 < rho < 0.5

Cross section is an ellipse. As rho approaches zero, the blend tends towards

being flat and resembles a chamfer.

rho = 0.5

Under Settings, if the Rho Type is set to Absolute, the cross section is a

parabola. If Rho Type is set to Relative, the cross section is an ellipse of

least eccentricity.

0.5 < rho <1

The cross section is a hyperbola. As rho approaches 1, the blend becomes

more L-shaped.

Law Type Available when you select Law Controlled as an offset, center, or radius method.

For details regarding law sub options that may appear, see Law Types.

Value Available when any of the following is set to Law Controlled:

Radius Method

Boundary Method

Center Method

and...

Law Type = Constant

Lets you enter a value for the law.




Constraining and Limiting Geometry

Select

Coincident Curve

Lets you roll the blend along an edge.

When you select this option, the blend rolls on the edge and does not remain

tangent to the face. The blend radius remains constant.

Coincident Curves list

Specifies whether the constraining curve is on the first or second face chain.

Select

Tangent Curve

Lets you select a curve along which the blend maintains tangency with the face set.

The blend is tangent to the face at along the curve.

For circular blends, you can define the radius with a tangent curves string.

For conic blends, the offset opposite the wall containing the tangent curve string is

computed as the smallest offset defined by the tangent curve string or the constant or

variable offset.

Tangent Curves list

Specifies whether the constraining curve is on the first or second face chain.

Select Middle

Tangent Object

Available when the following are set:

Section Orientation = Swept Section.

Shape = Circular.

Radius Method = Law Controlled.

Makes the blend tangent to three sets of faces. Tangency faces constrain the blend so

that the geometry dictates the blend radius.

Siemens PLM Software recommends that you use the Three Defining Face Chains

type rather than Select Middle Tangent Object to create three-face blends.



Trim and Sew Options

Lets you specify how you want NX to trim and or sew the blend into the part.

Blend Faces list Lists options to trim blend faces.

The following sheet bodies are blended with various trim and sew options.

Trim to All Input Faces

Trim Input Faces to Blend Faces is selected

Sew All Faces is cleared

Trim to Long Input Faces


Sew All Faces is selected

Trim to Short Input Faces




Sew All Faces is cleared

Do Not Trim Input Faces



or

Trim Input Faces to Blend Faces is cleared


For sheet bodies, you can trim the participating faces and the blend without stitching

the blend.

Overriding Trim Objects

User Selected

Objects

When selected, opens the following options to let you specify objects and locations

to use to trim blend faces.

Limit Object Lets you specify the type of object to use to limit the blend.

Plane Lets you stop the blend between its start or end using planes.

You can use this option to trim a face blend and to create end cap

faces.

Specify Plane

Lets you specify or select planes to trim the blend.

The right side of the following solid body shows a preview of two



planes trimming a face blend during creation. The left shows how the

trimmed blend would look after creation.

Note that you may need to reverse the plane direction normals to get

the desired portion of the face blend to trim.

Specify Point

Lets you select a point to specify the portion of the blend to trim

when there are multiple possible trim solutions.

Face Lets you trim the blend between the start or end using a face. The

selected face or its extension becomes the end cap for the blend.

Select Face

Lets you select faces to trim the blend at start and end positions.

Edge Lets you trim the blend between the start or end using an edge. The

selected edge or its extension becomes the end cap for the blend.

Select Edge

Lets you select edges to trim the blend at start and end positions.

Reverse Direction

Lets you reverse the direction of the plane, face or edge limiting object.

Use Limit Plane to

Cap Blend,

Use Limit Face to

Cap Blend

Creates an end cap face based on a trimming plane or face.

If this option is off, the trim plane or face is used only as a trimming location object.

The end cap face is the plane or face that contains the trim location point and a blend



face isoline, as shown in the following graphic.

If this option is selected, NX uses the plane or face for both the trimming location

and the end cap as shown in the following graphic.

Add New Set Lets you define sets of planes, faces, or edges as limiting objects for the face blend.

List Lists the plane, face, or edge limiting object sets you have defined, with their name,

number and expression information.

Remove

Lets you delete limiting object sets you have defined.

Settings

Add Tangent

Faces as

Encountered

Available when Section Orientation is set to Rolling Ball.

Automatically adds tangent faces to the input face chain as needed.

In the following example, the input faces are green. Face Blend automatically

selects the blend along tangent faces (red), but stops at face because it is not

tangent.

Orient Cross

Section by

Isoparameter

Lines

Available when Section Orientation is set to Swept Section.

An isoparametric blend is a specialized blend and is recommended for turbine blades

because the blend may produce good results when other blend types fail.

Terminate at

Sharp Edge

Allows a face blend to extend past a notch in the middle or at the end of a blend.

Use this option to stop a face blend when it encounters a localized feature, like a

notch, that has a sharp edge.

The following part is the input shape.



When you clear the Terminate at Sharp Edge check box for the blend, the notch is

ignored and is used to trim the face.

When you select the Terminate at Sharp Edge check box, the blend does not

extend beyond the notch.

Rho Type Available when, in the Cross Section group, Shape is set to Asymmetric Conic.

Specifies the type of rho for conic cross sections.

Relative — Sets a rho value that is relative to the angle subtended by the

blend. A value of 0.5 will give the blend cross section of an ellipse of least

eccentricity.

Absolute — Sets a rho value that is independent of the angle subtended by

the blend.

Remove Self

Intersection

Available when Type is set to Rolling Ball and Shape is set to Circular.

Replaces face chains which cause self-intersections in the blend with a patch.

The patch area is not a true representation of a blend produced by a rolling ball, but

it is tangent to all of the surfaces to which it connects.

Blend Across

Sharp Edges

Propagates face blends across slightly non-tangent edges.

Use this when you have slightly sharp edges that a face blend needs to cross, such as

parting edges.

Maximum Edge

Angle

Available when Blend Across Sharp Edges is selected.

Specifies the maximum edge angle over which the blend is allowed to propagate.



Tolerance Determines the fit accuracy of the blend to the defining faces.

This determines the degree of smoothness required for transitions from one face to

another.

The edge of the blend created on the adjoining face cannot deviate from the edge of

the blend on the current face by more than the tolerance.

The default value is the distance tolerance modeling preference.

2.8. Rho and the shape of conic face blends

The blend cross section changes with the value of rho as follows:

If the value of rho is between zero and 0.5, the cross section is an ellipse. As rho approaches zero,

the blend becomes flatter and resembles a chamfer.

If rho is equal to 0.5 and, under Settings, if the Rho Type is set to Absolute, the cross section is a

parabola. If Rho Type is set to Relative, the cross section is an ellipse of least eccentricity.

If the value of rho is between 0.5 and 1, the cross section is a hyperbola. As the value of rho

approaches 1, the blend has a sharper corner.

If the Rho Method is set to Automatic Ellipse and the offsets are equal, the blend has a circular cross

section. If the offsets are not equal, the blend has an elliptical cross section.

Rho Value Face blend cross section

0.2

0.5

0.8



3. Soft Blend Use the Soft Blend command to create tangent and curvature continuous blend faces between selected

sets of faces.


Make blends with better aesthetics than other blends as the cross section is not circular.

Control the cross sectional shape.

Create designs with lower weight.

Create designs that have better stress resistance properties.

Choose various options to trim and attach the blend to the faces.

Where do I find it?


Toolbar Feature→Soft Blend

Menu Insert→Detail Feature→Soft Blend

3.1. Create a soft blend sheet between two surfaces

1. On the Feature toolbar, click Soft Blend , or choose Insert→Detail Feature→Soft Blend.

In the Soft Blend dialog box, under Selection Steps, First Set appears selected.



2. In the graphics window, select the face containing the first tangency curve.

An arrowhead appears normal to the surface.

3. Click Second Set , and in the graphics window, select the face containing the second

tangency curve.

An arrowhead appears normal to this face.

Note The face normals should point towards the approximate arc center of the blend. If they do

not, click Reverse Normal to change the face normals.

4. Click First Tangency Curve , and in the graphics window, select the first tangency curve.

5. Click Second Tangency Curve , and in the graphics window, select the second tangency

curve.



6. Click Define Spine String.

The Spine dialog bar opens.

7. In the graphics window, select the spine.

8. In the Spine dialog bar, click OK to accept the spine.

The Spine dialog bar closes.

9. Click OK or Apply to create the soft blend.

3.2. Soft Blend dialog box Selection Steps

First Set

Lets you select the first set of faces of the face blend.

Second Set

Lets you select the second set of faces of the face blend.

First Tangency

Curve

Lets you select a string of curves that lies on the selected face and becomes the edge of

the blend.

Second

Tangency

Curve

Lets you select a string of curves that lies on the selected face and becomes edge of the

blend.



Reverse Normal

Lets you reverse the direction of the face normal that is displayed after you choose a face set.

Tip The face normals should point towards the center of the blend.

Attachment Method list

Specifies a trimming and attachment method for the soft blend.

Note When you edit a soft blend, you can change the attachment method in either of the following

groups from the list:

Trim & Attach All, Trim Long & Attach All, and No Trim & Attach All.

Trim Blend, Trim Blend Short, Trim Blend Long, and No Trim.

The following graphic shows attachment method examples that use the surfaces and curves.

Trim & Attach

All

Trims the blend and attaches it to the underlying sets of faces.

Note If you use the Trim & Attach All attachment method across multiple bodies, and

want to edit the blend using Edit Using Rollback, you must select at least one

face of the original target body for the First Set.

Trim Long &

Attach All

Creates a blend as long as possible, attached to the underlying sets of faces.

The trimmed blend sheet has end boundaries that are constant parameter lines

determined by the wall boundaries.



No Trim &

Attach All

Creates an untrimmed blend sheet or a sheet trimmed by specified limiting planes, and

attaches the sheet to the underlying sets of faces.

Trim All

Trims the blend and the underlying face sets, but does not attach the blend to the faces.

Trim Blend

Trims the blend sheet only to the limiting edges of the underlying face sets or specified

limiting planes.

Trim Blend

Short

Trims the blend as short as possible.

The blend end boundaries are constant parameter lines of the wall boundaries.

Trim Blend

Long

Makes the blend as long as possible.

The end boundaries are the constant parameter lines determined by the wall boundaries.



No Trim

Generates an untrimmed blend sheet or a sheet trimmed by specified limiting planes.

Smoothness

Matches only the tangents of the blend and faces, or matches the curvature (which also matches the

tangents).

Match

Tangents Matches the adjacent walls in tangency only.

Match

Curvature Matches both tangency and curvature.

Rho

Available when you select Match Curvature.

A small value (near zero) will give a flattened blend.

A large value (near one) will give a sharply peaked blend.

Constant


Sets a constant value along the entire law function for Rho.

Law

Controlled


Opens the Law Function dialog box where you can select the law that specifies the

curvature of the blend.

For more information, see Law Types.

Skew


A small value (near zero) gives a blend whose peak is near the first wall.

A large value (near one) puts the peak near the second wall.

Constant


Sets a constant value along the entire law function for Skew.

Law

Controlled




Opens the Law Function dialog box.

For more information, see Law Types.

Define Spine

String Lets you define the spine string for the soft blend.

Limit Start /

Limit End

Lets you define planes to trim the blend at the start and the end for the Trim Blend and

No Trim Attachment Method. If no limiting planes are chosen, the blend is trimmed

between the selected faces.

Tolerance Sets a tolerance for the fit accuracy of the blend to the faces. Tolerance also determines

the degree of smoothness required for transitions from one face to another.

Confirm Upon

Apply

Opens the Confirm Upon Apply dialog box after you choose Apply. You can preview

the results, and accept, reject, or analyze the results.

3.3. Comparing Soft Blend, Edge Blend, Face Blend,

and Bridge

Soft Blend Edge Blend Face Blend Bridge

The blend is Sheet or

Solid body

A solid or sheet

body blend on a

shared edge of two

faces

Either a solid or sheet

body depending on

the base part

Sheet body connecting any

two faces of either sheet

bodies or solid bodies.

Blend can be of

circular cross-

section

Yes Always Yes No

Blend can have

non-circular

cross-section

Yes No Yes, but only conic Yes.

Can constrain a

blend with

tangent curves

Necessary No Optional No

4. Fillet

This option lets you create fillet sheets of constant or variable radius between two faces. You can create a

fillet between the faces of a solid and/or sheet bodies.



A fillet is created tangent to two faces. However, for the fillet to be created, the faces must intersect or be

close enough so that the fillet touches both faces at all points of tangency.

Note When you are creating a fillet between two spherical or cylindrical faces, the faces do not need to

intersect.

There are four possible quadrants in which the fillet can be created. You specify the quadrant for the fillet

by making the normals to the two faces point in the direction of the desired quadrant.

The spine curve acts as a guide for the fillet. You can choose to create a fillet with or without a spine

curve.

The Distance Tolerance modeling preference lets you define the accuracy of the fillet.

After you have selected both faces and the optional spine curve, you are prompted to define the following

options:

Create

Fillet

Lets you create or not create a fillet by toggling between YES and NO. The default is set to

YES.

Create

Curve

Lets you create the offset intersection curve between the two faces. It has the contour of the

fillet type you selected and the parameters you entered, and can be used as a spine curve for

creating a more complicated fillet. This option toggles between YES and NO and defaults to

NO.

You are next prompted to choose between Circular and Conic as the cross section type.



Fillet Type

You are given these options for the fillet:

Constant Creates a fillet with a fixed radius.

Linear Creates a linear fillet of variable radius. The change in radius of curvature is linear from the

start to the end of the fillet.

S-

shaped

Creates a variable radius fillet of an S-shaped curvature.

General Creates a variable radius fillet by specifying multiple points on the spine curve and functional

values at each point. This option only appears if you selected a spine curve.

The figure below shows examples of each fillet type.

Selecting Points



For a constant radius fillet specify a Start Point or simply choose OK. The system creates a start point for

the fillet and traces edge to edge, unless the start and endpoints are specified.

Except for a constant radius fillet, you are required to select at least a Start Point and an End Point that

describes the beginning and ending position of the fillet. For a fillet around a closed periodic face you

may choose OK when prompted for the End Point.

For a general fillet (using a spine curve) you may specify additional points.

Note The Limit Face and Limit Plane options are alternative means for determining limit points for the

offset intersection curve at the center of the fillet. The fillet is not trimmed to, or exactly limited by

these objects. To get a trimmed version of the fillet, create a fillet that extends beyond these objects,

then trim the fillet to these objects.

Specifying Functional Values

Each cross section fillet type requires you enter different creation parameters.

Circular - requires that you enter a radius for the point(s) you selected.

Conic - requires that you enter a radius, ratio, and rho for the point(s) you selected.

Ratio

The Ratio value is used to compute the radius (or offset value) for the second face. It is the ratio of the

distances from the selected faces to the offset intersection point (see the figure below).

If the ratio value is less than 1, the larger offset value of the fillet sheet is from the first selected face.

If the ratio value is greater than 1, the larger offset value of the fillet sheet is from the second selected

face.

If the ratio value is equal to 1, the offset values is equal.



Rho

The Rho value determines the fullness of each conic section. It represents a fraction of the distance from

the chord midpoint between the edge points to the apex, and can have a value ranging from 0.001 to 0.900.

The Rho value determines the shape of the conic:

Parabola: rho = 0.5

Ellipse: 0.0 < rho < 0.5

Hyperbola: 0.5 < rho < 1.0

The figure above shows how the conic shape is related to the value of Rho. A small value of Rho (0.001)

produces a very flat conic, while a large rho value (0.900) produces a very "pointed" conic.

For each fillet type, the Rho value's behavior is:

Constant The value of rho is constant along the entire sheet.

Linear The values of rho are linearly tapered between starting and ending values corresponding to the

start and end of the sheet.

S-

shaped

The values of rho follow a s-shaped curve.

General The values of rho vary continuously between the specified values.

If your fillet will have a conic cross section, the system prompts you for the Rho Function type:



Same As Fillet

Type

The rho values are computed in the same way as the fillet type you are using, constant,

linear, s-shaped or general.

Least Tension The rho values are computed from the input geometry according to a least tension

condition. In most cases this produces an elliptical cross section.

Direction Vector

A direction vector is displayed at the first point. The direction of the vector can be changed and should

point in the direction for the fillet from the first selected point to the last selected point.

Tips and Techniques

When No Suitable Spine Curve

If you do not have a suitable spine curve, you may create the offset intersection curve by toggling Create

Curve to yes and Create Fillet to no. This creates a curve that can be used as a spine curve.

Non-Intersecting Faces

When creating a fillet between two faces that do not touch, the fillet radius must be large enough so that

the edges of the fillet overlap both selected faces. If the fillet radius is not large enough and its edges do

not overlap both selected faces, the system will not generate the fillet sheet, as shown in the figure below.

Note If the fillet just touches the edges of the selected faces but does not overlap them, you may get

undesirable results.

Trimmed Sheets

Filleting of trimmed sheet body faces may produce undesirable results.

Small Radii

The fillet radius (including the second radius for a conic cross section) should not be smaller than the

distance tolerance. If the radius is too small, the fillet may not be created.



4.1. Error Messages

The system may display the following error message if it is unable to find the offset intersection point (or

edge curve points) for the specified pair of faces and/or the specified radius (and ratio and rho) values.

Data Not Found Respecify Point

Point Not Found - Respecify Functional Values or Faces

The system may display the following error message if the ratio is not equal to 1.0 and the sheets are

convex relative to the offset intersection point.

Fillet Gouging Faces Respecify Point

Fillet Gouging Faces Functional Values

The following error message may occur if the system is not able to trace the curves (if the faces are not

sufficiently smooth or under certain other unusual conditions).

Unable To Complete Trace Creating Partial Fillet

The system may display the following error message if the radius of curvature of one, or both, of the faces

is too small compared to the radius (or radii) of the fillet sheet.

Excessive Curvature In Face Creating Partial Fillet

5. Bridge

Use the Bridge command to create a sheet body to connect two faces.


Specify either Tangent or Curvature Continuity between the bridge and the defining surfaces.

Specify the Tangent Magnitude for each edge.

Select the Flow Direction for the surface.

Limit the surface edges to a percentage of the selected edges.

Offset the defining edge onto the selected surface edges.

Where do I find it?




Toolbar Feature→Detail Feature Drop-down→Bridge

Menu Insert→Detail Feature→Bridge

5.1. Create a bridge between two faces

This example shows how to create a bridge between two faces and create the required shape.

1. Choose Insert→Detail Feature→Bridge.

2. In the Edge group, highlight Select Edge 1, in the graphics window, select the first edge.

3. In the Edge group, highlight Select Edge 2, in the graphics window, select the second edge.

The surface is created and previewed in the graphics window.



4. Select the Tangent Magnitude arrow to change the surface shape.

The surface is updated and the result is previewed in the graphics window.

5. Select the Edge arrow to change the surface size along the guide edges.




6. Drag the Offset arrow to change the surface edge offset.




5.2. Bridge Surface dialog box Constraints

Continuity

Edge 1 or Edge 2

G0 (Position)

G1 (Tangent)

G2 (Curvature)



Tangent Magnitude

Edge 1 or Edge 2

Tangent Magnitude=1.0

Tangent Magnitude=2.0

Flow Direction

Edge 1 and 2 Not Specified



Isoparametric

Perpendicular

Edge Limit

Edge 1 or Edge 2 Start 0%End 100%



Start 25%End 75%

Offset

Edge 1 or Edge 2

Offset=0%

Offset=50%



6. Spherical Corner

Use this command to create a spherical corner from three walls.

Each wall can consist of one or more connected faces. The walls do not have to come in contact with one

another.

The geometry is identical to that created in similar circumstances where an edge blend is created using the

intersected edges of the input faces.

The graphic shows a Spherical Surface feature that was created using three faces. You would need to use

two Face Blend features to achieve a similar result.

Where do I find it?


Toolbar Feature→Detail Feature Drop-down→Spherical Corner

Menu Insert→Detail Feature→Spherical Corner



6.1. Create a spherical corner

1. Choose Insert→Detail Feature→Spherical Corner.

In the Spherical Corner dialog box, the Wall 1 Faces selection step active.

2. In the graphics window, select the first wall face and click the middle mouse button.

The Wall 2 Faces selection step is active.

3. In the graphics window, select the second wall face and click the middle mouse button.

The Wall 3 Faces selection step is active.



4. In the graphics window, select the third wall.

Tip The direction vector should point towards the center of the spherical corner.

5. In the Radius box type 20.

A preview of the spherical corner appears unless the radius is too large.

6. Click OK or Apply to create the spherical corner.

6.2. Spherical Corner dialog box Option Description

Selection Steps

Wall 1 Faces

Wall 2 Faces

Wall 3 Faces

Let you select a set of wall faces.

Wall faces can be a collection of contiguous faces.

Note The radius must intersect the three walls.



Radius Lets you enter a value for the radius of the sphere that is to define the spherical corner.

If the Confirm Upon Apply check box is selected, changing the radius dynamically

updates the resulting Spherical Corner feature.

Reverse Face

Normal

Reverses the normal direction for the spherical corner.

Confirm Upon

Apply

If this check box is selected the Confirm Upon Apply dialog box opens after you click

Apply. You can preview the results, and then accept, reject, or analyze them.

7. Chamfer overview

Use the Chamfer command to bevel the edges of one or more bodies.

Depending on the shape of the body, the chamfer bevels edges by subtracting material (1) or adding

material (2).

You can define the cross section of the chamfer by specifying:

One symmetric offset distance.

Two offset distances.

An offset distance and an angle.

Where do I find it?


Toolbar Feature→Chamfer

Menu Insert→Detail Feature→Chamfer

Graphics window Right-click an edge of a body→Chamfer

7.1. Create a chamfer with asymmetric offsets

This example shows how to create a chamfer with asymmetric offset distances.



1. On the Feature toolbar, click Chamfer or choose Insert→Detail Feature→Chamfer.

In the Chamfer dialog box, Select Edge (0) is active.

2. In the graphics window, select the edges to chamfer.

3. In the Offsets group, from the Cross Section list, select Asymmetric.

4. In the Distance 1 box, type the first offset distance value.

For this example, a value of 15 is used.

5. In the Distance 2 box, type the second offset distance value.

For this example, a value of 25 is used.

6. (Optional) If the offset distances are measured on the wrong side of the selected edges, click

Reverse Direction .

7. Click OK or Apply to create the chamfer.



7.2. Chamfer dialog box Edge

Select Edge

Lets you select one or more edges to chamfer.

Note The software may approximate a simple chamfer when:

The selected edges are not linear or circular.

The adjacent faces are not perpendicular.

Offsets

Cross

Section

Specifies a method to input the offsets for the cross section of the chamfer.

Symmetric

Creates a simple chamfer with the same offset distance on each side of the selected edges.

Note For more accurate results with complex chamfer cross sections, use the Offset

Faces and Trim offset method.

Asymmetric

Creates a chamfer with a different offset distance on each side of the selected edges.



Note For more accurate results with complex chamfer cross sections, use the Offset

Faces and Trim offset method.

Offset and Angle

Creates a chamfer with a single offset distance and an angle.

Note This option is accurate only for simple geometry when the faces adjacent to the

selected edges are planar, cylindrical, or conical.

Distance

Available for Symmetric and Offset and Angle cross section types.

Specifies a distance value for the offset.

Distance 1

Available for the Asymmetric cross section type.

Specifies a distance value for the first offset.

Distance 2

Available for the Asymmetric cross section type.

Specifies a distance value for the second offset.

Angle

Available for the Offset and Angle cross section type.

Specifies an angle value for the offset.

Reverse

Direction

Available for Asymmetric and Offset and Angle cross section types.

Measures the offset distance or angle to the other side of the selected chamfer edge.

Settings

Offset

Method

Available for Symmetric and Asymmetric cross section types.

Specifies a method to define the edges of the new chamfer faces using the offset distance

values.

Offset Edges Along Faces

Produces accurate results for simple shapes only.

Defines the edges of the new chamfer face by measuring the offset distance values along

the faces adjacent to the selected edge.



Offset Faces and Trim

May produce more accurate results for complex shapes when the faces adjacent to a

selected edge have varying angles, are not planar, or are not perpendicular.

Defines the edges of the new chamfer by offsetting the adjacent faces and projecting the

intersection of the offset faces normal to the original faces.

Chamfer All

Instances

Adds the chamfer to all instances in the instance set.

Tip Instead of using this option, it is recommended that you create the chamfer

and its parent feature first, add them to a group feature, and then create an

instance set of the group feature.

If you use this option, it is recommended that you add the chamfer to the

master feature and not one of the instanced features. This is to make sure that

the chamfer will always remain visible in the instance set if the array

parameters are later changed.

See Group Feature and Instance for details.

8. Draft

Use the Draft command to apply a draft to faces or bodies relative to a specified vector.


Specify multiple draft angles and assign an angle to a set of faces.

Add a single Draft feature to multiple bodies.

The Draft command is typically used to apply slope to faces for the use in molded, or die cast parts, so

that when the mold or die separates, the faces move away from each other rather than sliding next to each

other.



Generally, the draw direction is the direction the mold or die must move to be separated from the part.

However, if you are modeling a mold or die, it is the direction the part must move to be separated from

the mold or die.

Where do I find it?

Application Modeling, Shape Studio

Toolbar Feature→Draft

Menu Insert→Detail Feature→Draft

8.1. Isocline and True Draft methods Isocline method

This is the default method for creating the drafted surface.

An isocline surface is the enclosed surface that is created by extending the envelope of opposing infinite

cones. The cones have the following characteristics.

Half-angle of the cones equals the draft angle

Centerline of the cones is parallel to the draw direction

Apex of the cones follow either the stationary edge, or the section

curves that are created from the stationary plane and the original faces to be

drafted

Stationary edge

True Draft method

This method is useful when the faces to be drafted have edges that are nearly parallel to the draw

direction or when the Isocline method cannot create the required draft.



The True Draft surface is defined by a set of lines that have the following characteristics:

The lines lie on planes that are normal to the surface to be drafted and parallel to the draw

direction. These planes and lines are created at every point on the stationary edge.

The lines pass through every point on the stationary edge at an angle equal to the draft angle plus

90 degrees.

Plane through point on stationary edge, normal to the face to be

drafted, and parallel to the draw direction.

Stationary edge

Line through point on stationary edge, and parallel to the draw

direction.

Line through point on stationary edge, on the plane, at an angle

equal to the draft angle plus 90 degrees to the line that is parallel to

the draw direction.

Draft angle plus 90 degrees.

8.2. Create a draft from a plane

1. On the Feature toolbar, click Draft , or choose Insert→Detail Feature→Draft.

2. In the Draft dialog box, from the Type list, select From Plane.

3. Click the middle mouse button to accept the default draw direction (+ZC).



4. In the graphics window, select the planar face as the stationary plane.

5. Select the faces to draft.

6. In the Angle box, type a value.

For this example, 10 is entered.

7. Click OK.

8.3. Create a draft from an edge

This example uses the True Draft method to draft edges that are not contained in a plane normal to the

draw direction.

1.

Draft



2.

In the Draft dialog box, from the Type group, select From

Edges.

3.

Define draw direction +ZC.

4.

Select the stationary edge.

5.

In the Settings group, from the Draft Method list, select True

Draft.

6.

Draft Angle = 20

8.4. Create a draft tangent to faces

This example shows how to draft the selected faces while maintaining the tangency to the blend.



1.

Draft

2.

In the Draft dialog box, from the Type group, select Tangent to

Faces.

3.


4.

On the Selection bar, set the Face Rule list to Single Face.

5.

Select tangent faces.

6.

Draft Angle = 5

8.5. Create a draft to parting edges

This example shows how to create a draft at parting edges and create a ledge perpendicular to the

reference direction and the edge.



1.

Draft

2.

In the Draft dialog box, from the Type group, select To

Parting Edges.

3.


4.

Define the stationary plane.

5.

Define the parting edges.

6.

Draft Angle = 10



8.6. Draft dialog box Type

Type list Specifies the method you want to use to create the draft.

From Plane

Lets you specify a stationary plane. The cross section of the body at the stationary

plane remains unchanged by the draft operation.

Draft around section defined by a datum plane

From Edges

Lets you specify a selected set of edges as stationary, and the faces that own these

edges to be drafted at specified angles. This option is useful when the edges required

to be stationary are not contained in a plane normal to the direction vector.

Draft from stationary edge

Tangent to Faces

Lets you apply draft while maintaining the tangency between the faces you select.

This option is useful in molded or cast parts to compensate for possible die lock.



Draft moves side faces to maintain tangency with the top

To Parting Edges

Lets you create drafted faces based on a selected set of parting edges, a specified

angle and a stationary plane. The stationary plane determines the cross section that is

maintained. This draft type creates ledge faces perpendicular to the reference

direction and the edge.

Draft creates a ledge at parting edge, defined by a datum plane

Draw Direction

Lets you specify the draw direction.

In general, the draw direction is the direction the mold or die moves to be separate from the part.

NX infers the draw direction based on the input geometry. You can click the middle mouse button to

accept the default, or specify a different direction.

Type specific options

From

Plane

Stationary Plane

Select Plane — Lets you specify or create a stationary plane that is

normal to the draw direction and passes through a specified point.

Faces to Draft

Select Face — Lets you select the faces to draft.

Angle — Specifies the draft angle for each set you define.

From

Edges

Stationary Edges

Select Edge — Lets you select stationary edges.



Reverse Side — Lets you reverse the side of the stationary face when the

draft direction is reversed.

Variable Draft Points

Specify Point — Lets you select points on stationary edges in order

to specify varying draft angles. You can enter different angles for each of the

reference points you specify.

Variable Angle — Specifies the variable draft angle for each set you define.

Location — Specifies the location of the variable angle point along the target

edge.

You can specify either a percentage of the edge (% Arc Length) or an

explicit distance along the edge (Arc Length).

Settings

Draft Method list — Lets you set the draft method to Isocline or True

Draft. For more information, see Isocline and True draft.

Tangent

to Faces

Tangent Faces

Select Face – Lets you select both the faces-to-draft and the faces they

must remain tangent to after the draft operation.

To

Parting

Edges

Stationary Plane

Select Plane — Lets you specify or create a stationary plane that is

normal to the draw direction and passes through a specified point.

Parting Edges

Select Edge — Lets you specify parting edges.

Reverse Side — Lets you reverse the side of the stationary face when the

draft direction is reversed.



Settings

Draft All

Instances

Lets you choose to draft only the selected instance or all instances in the pattern.

Draft All Instances — not selected Draft All Instances — selected

Distance

Tolerance

Lets you specify the maximum distance between the input geometry and the resulting body.

The default value is taken from the Modeling Preferences. For more information, see

Modeling Preferences — General.

Angle

Tolerance

Lets you specify the angle tolerance. This tolerance is used to ensure that the drafted surfaces

are within the specified angle in relation to neighboring surfaces.

The default value is taken from the Modeling Preferences. For more information, see

Modeling Preferences — General.

9. Draft Body

Use the Draft Body command to add and match drafts on both sides of a parting surface and to fill

undercut regions with material. You can use this command when you develop models for castings and

molded parts.

The following example shows a double-sided taper on both sides of a datum plane used as a parting

object. A double-sided taper makes a part easy to draw out of a mold.

Parting object

Double-sided draft matched on both sides of the

parting object

Double-sided draft unmatched at parting object

You can match double-sided tapers created on both sides of the parting object. Matching may also be

omitted to achieve minimum weight.



The following example shows a single-sided taper used to fill the undercut region with material.

Note You can use the Draft command to get similar results, but you cannot match faces at the parting

object when you use Draft.

Where do I find it?

Application Modeling, Shape Studio

Toolbar Feature→Draft Body

Menu Insert→Detail Feature→Draft Body

9.1. Create a double-sided draft

This example shows how to create a double-sided draft matched at the parting surface.

1. On the Feature toolbar, click Draft Body , or choose Insert→Detail Feature→Draft Body.

2. In the Draft Body dialog box, in the Type group, select From Edges from the list.

In the Parting Object group, Select Parting Object is active.

3. Select the datum plane as the parting object.

In the Draw Direction group, Specify Vector is active.



4. Specify the direction in which the draft is to be drawn.

5. In the Stationary Edges group, from the Location list, select Above and Below.

6. Click Select Edges Above Parting and in the graphics window, select the stationary edge

above the parting object.

7. Click Select Edges Below Parting and in the graphics window, select the stationary edge

below the parting object.



8. In the Draft Angle group, specify the draft angle.

For this example, 10 was entered.

9. In the Match Faces at Parting Object group, from the Match Option list, select Match All.

10. Click OK or Apply to draft the body.

9.2. Draft a body based on an extreme face point

This example shows how to draft a body and control the taper from a point on the face that is furthest

from the parting object. The draft updates when you edit the model, so that a different face is furthest

from the parting object.


2. In the Draft Body dialog box, from the Type list, select Faces to Draft.


3. Select the parting object.

For this example, a datum plane is selected.



4. Specify the draw direction.

5. Select the faces you want to draft.

For this example the front face was selected.

6. In the Draft Angle group, specify the draft angle.

For this example, specify a draft angle of 15 degrees.

7. In the Match Faces at Parting Object group, from the Match Option list, select None.

8. Select the Extreme Face Point Overrides Stationary check box to apply the draft from the

parting object to a point on the face of the body that is furthest from the parting object.

9. Click OK.

The draft is applied from the top face of the wide pad on the left.



Original solid body.

Draft applied from a point on the face of the body furthest from the parting object.

Resulting drafted body.

10. Modify the height of the smaller pad on the right to make it taller than the pad on the left.

The top face of the pad on the right is now the furthest from the parting object.

When you modify the model, NX recreates the draft from the top face of the pad on the right.

Modified height of the smaller pad.

Draft applied from a point on the face of the modified pad furthest from the parting object.

Resulting drafted body.

9.3. Draft a body by resizing selected faces

This example shows how to draft the selected faces of the solid above and below the parting object. The

interior faces of the slot are resized to accommodate the drafts.




2. In the Draft Body dialog box, in the Type group, set the list to Faces to Draft.


3. Specify the parting object.

For this example the datum plane is selected.

4. Specify the draw direction.

5. Select the faces you want to draft.

For this example the four side faces of the solid body are selected.



6. Specify the draft angle.

For this example, a draft angle of 15 degrees is specified.

Though sufficient inputs are provided to create the draft, you cannot apply the draft at this point.

You must resize the faces of the slot to accommodate the draft.

7. In the Faces to Move to Drafted Face group, click Select Face and in the graphics window

select the faces of the slot.

8. In the Settings group, from the Draft Method list, select Isocline.

9. Click OK to create the draft.

9.4. Draft a body to remove an undercut

This example shows how to create a single-sided draft and fill the undercut region with material.

1.

Draft Body



2.

In the Draft Body dialog box, from the Type list, select Faces to

Draft.

3.

Specify the draw direction +ZC.

4.

Select faces to draft and specify draft angle = 2.

9.5. Draft Body dialog box Type

Type list

Specifies the method used to apply the draft.

From Edges

Lets you select the edges from which to taper.

Faces to Draft

Lets you select the faces to be tapered.



Parting Object

Select

Parting

Object

Lets you specify a sheet body or a datum plane as the parting object.

You can select only one parting object. If you select a datum plane, NX creates a temporary

sheet body on the datum plane and uses it as the parting sheet body. Parting sheets can be

planar or non-planar.

Draw Direction

Specifies the draw direction.

The default draw direction is +ZC, or the direction normal to the datum plane specified as the parting

object.

Note If you are drafting a part or a pattern of a part, the draw direction is the direction that the mold or

die must move to separate it from the part or pattern.

If you are drafting the mold or die, then the draw direction is the direction that the part or pattern

must move to separate it from the mold or die.

Type Specific options

From

Edges

Stationary Edges

Location list

Specifies the method used to select stationary edges.

Above and

Below

Lets you select stationary edges both above and below the parting

edge.

Above Parting

Only

Lets you select stationary edges above the parting edge and in the

same direction as the draw vector.

Below Parting

Only

Lets you select stationary edges below the parting edge and in the

opposite direction as the draw vector.

Select Edges Above Parting / Select Edges Below Parting

Lets you specify sets of stationary edges above and below the parting edge

respectively.

Edges to Move to Drafted Face

Specifies the edges that are allowed to move during the draft operation. The fixed

position constraints for these objects are relaxed and free to move during draft

creation.

Select Edge is available.



Faces to

Draft

Faces to Draft

Selects the faces that you want to draft.

Select Face is available.

Faces to Move to Drafted Face

Specifies the faces that are allowed to move during the draft operation. The fixed

position constraints for these objects are free to move during draft creation.

Select Face is available.

Draft Angle

Angle Specifies the angle of the taper that you want to draw.

Match Faces at Parting Object

Match

Option

Adds material, if necessary, to opposing drafts at the parting sheet to ensure that they meet

evenly.

None

Match All

Match All but Selected

Repair

Option

Available when Match Option is set to Match All or Match All but Selected.

Automatically repairs sharp mitered edges on the drafted surface.

None

Unmatched edges are not repaired.

Repair with Blends

Smoothes sharp edges so that they appear to have been replaced with blends.

Repair with Planes

Replaces sharp edges with a set of planes that are tangent to the faces.

Repair with Both



Smoothes sharp edges using both the blend and plane methods.

Match edges without repair

Match edges using the Repair with Blends option

Repair

Radius Specifies the radius of the blend used to repair the concave corner.

Extreme

Face

Point

Override

s

Stationar

y

Available when the Match Option is set to None.

Lets you specify that the draft must be applied from the parting object to a point on the face of

the body that is furthest from the parting object.

If you edit the body such that the furthest point on the face is at a different location, the draft

is applied from the new point.

The face furthest from the parting object in the original body. The draft is applied from a

point on this face.

The face furthest from the parting object in the edited body. The draft is applied from a

point on this face.

Parting object.

Settings

Draft

Method

Specifies the method used to create the draft.

Isocline

Creates draft faces using an isocline surface which is created by extending the



envelope of opposing infinite cones whose apex lie on the stationary edge.

This is the default mode for creating all tapers. Draft faces created with this method

generally use the exact specified draft angle.

For more information, see Isocline method.

True Draft

Creates the draft faces using a true draft surface which is defined by a set of infinite

planes and lines are created at every point on the stationary edge.

Draft faces created with this method may not use the exact specified draft angle.

For more information, see True Draft method.

Toleranc

e

Specifies a distance tolerance between the input geometry and the resulting body.

The default value is taken from the Modeling Preferences dialog box. For more information,

see Modeling Preferences — General.

Mục lục Detail Feature ............................................................................................................................................................... 1

1. Edge Blend ........................................................................................................................................................ 1

1.1. Create a circular edge blend with constant radius................................................................................... 2

1.2. Create a conic edge blend ........................................................................................................................ 4

1.3. Create an edge blend of variable radius .................................................................................................. 5

1.4. Add setback points to an edge blend corner ............................................................................................ 7

1.5. Stop an edge blend short of a corner ....................................................................................................... 9

1.6. Edge Blend dialog box ............................................................................................................................ 11

1.7. Edge Blend Allowed Overflow Resolutions ............................................................................................. 22

1.8. Hierarchy for Allowed Overflow Resolutions in edge blends ................................................................. 22

2. Face Blend ...................................................................................................................................................... 24

2.1. Create a rolling ball face blend with a constant radius.......................................................................... 25

2.2. Create a swept section face blend ......................................................................................................... 26

2.3. Create a face blend with an asymmetrical conic cross section .............................................................. 28

2.4. Create a face blend with a tangent curve .............................................................................................. 29

2.5. Create a three-face blend ....................................................................................................................... 31

2.6. Choose a face blend from multiple solutions ......................................................................................... 33

2.7. Face Blend dialog box ............................................................................................................................ 34

2.8. Rho and the shape of conic face blends ................................................................................................. 46

3. Soft Blend ....................................................................................................................................................... 47



3.1. Create a soft blend sheet between two surfaces ................................................................................... 47

3.2. Soft Blend dialog box.............................................................................................................................. 49

3.3. Comparing Soft Blend, Edge Blend, Face Blend, and Bridge .................................................................. 53

4. Fillet ................................................................................................................................................................ 53

4.1. Error Messages ....................................................................................................................................... 59

5. Bridge ............................................................................................................................................................. 59

5.1. Create a bridge between two faces ....................................................................................................... 60

5.2. Bridge Surface dialog box....................................................................................................................... 63

6. Spherical Corner ............................................................................................................................................. 67

6.1. Create a spherical corner ....................................................................................................................... 68

6.2. Spherical Corner dialog box ................................................................................................................... 69

7. Chamfer overview .......................................................................................................................................... 70

7.1. Create a chamfer with asymmetric offsets ............................................................................................ 70

7.2. Chamfer dialog box ................................................................................................................................ 72

8. Draft ............................................................................................................................................................... 74

8.1. Isocline and True Draft methods ............................................................................................................ 75

8.2. Create a draft from a plane .................................................................................................................... 76

8.3. Create a draft from an edge ................................................................................................................... 77

8.4. Create a draft tangent to faces .............................................................................................................. 78

8.5. Create a draft to parting edges .............................................................................................................. 79

8.6. Draft dialog box ..................................................................................................................................... 81

9. Draft Body ...................................................................................................................................................... 84

9.1. Create a double-sided draft ................................................................................................................... 85

9.2. Draft a body based on an extreme face point ........................................................................................ 87

9.3. Draft a body by resizing selected faces .................................................................................................. 89

9.4. Draft a body to remove an undercut ...................................................................................................... 91

9.5. Draft Body dialog box ............................................................................................................................. 92

Documents

Unigraphics NX8 - Detail Feature