Modified on
13 Sep 2024 06:24 pm
Mastering Surface Design in CATIA V5: Creating Complex Geometries for Industrial Applications
Skill-Lync
Welcome back to our CATIA V5 Design Series! In this session, we’re venturing into the world of surface design, a powerful method used in the creation of complex, freeform shapes. Surface design is critical for developing intricate components like automotive bumpers or interior panels, which are often molded from plastic.
This blog will guide you through building a rectangular boss and its accompanying features using the Wireframe and Surface Design Workbench. We’ll focus on using key commands like extrude, trim, and split, and demonstrate how to create complex surfaces and convert them into solid bodies. Let’s get started!
Building the Rectangular Boss: From Sketch to Surface
The first step in building the rectangular boss is to sketch the base and extrude it into a surface. Let’s break down the process.
- Insert a New Geometrical Set: Name it as Rectangular Boss to keep your project organized. Then, copy the sketch of the circular boss (created earlier) and paste it under this geometrical set for reference.
- Draw the Base Sketch: Hide the circular boss surface to improve visibility. Using the Sketcher Workbench, draw two centered rectangles and constrain them as needed. Next, add two circles and apply constraints to define their positions.
- Applying the Corner Command: Use the Corner Command with a radius of 18 mm to round all four corners of the outer rectangle. This will ensure smooth transitions in the final design.
- Add Cutouts and Holes: Complete the sketch by drawing circles for cutouts and holes on the outer frame. Use the Quick Trim Command to remove any unwanted edges, cleaning up the sketch for extrusion.
- Offset Curves: To avoid potential errors when working with complex geometries, you may need to use the Offset Command to duplicate curves at a 0 mm offset.
Creating the 3D profiles
Once the base sketch is complete, we can convert the 2D geometry into 3D profiles, which will then be extruded into surfaces.
- Convert to 3D Profiles: Select the outer frame profile, the rectangular boss, and the bush circle from the sketch. Convert these into 3D profiles to generate the necessary surfaces.
- List of 3D Profiles: Notice how these profiles are listed under the outputs branch of the sketch in the Geometrical Set. These 3D profiles are independent entities in the graphics area.
_1726226736.png)
Extruding the rectangular boss surface
With the 3D profiles in place, it’s time to extrude the rectangular surface and create a flat surface to intersect with it.
- Extrude the Rectangular Profile: Use the Extrude Command from the surface's toolbar. Select the 3D profile of the rectangle and update the direction field to the YZ plane. Set the height of the rectangular boss to 66 mm, as specified in the drawing.
- Create an Intersecting Flat Surface: To add more structure, edit the sketch and create another 3D profile by drawing a horizontal line 66 mm above the base frame. Extrude this line with mirrored extent checked and set the XY plane as the extrusion direction.
_1726226887.png)
Trimming and joining surfaces
Now that we have two intersecting surfaces, we need to trim the excess and join them into a unified surface.
- Trim the Surfaces: Select the Trim Command from the operations toolbar. First, choose the rectangular surface and the flat surface to define which parts should be trimmed. You can switch between surfaces using the other side or next element buttons.
- Join the Surfaces: Since we used the Trim Command instead of Split, we’ll need to join these surfaces to apply edge fillets later. Use the Join Command from the operations toolbar to combine the trimmed surfaces into a single entity.
- Apply Edge Fillets: Now that the surfaces are joined, apply a 9 mm fillet radius to the edges using the Edge Fillet Command. This will round the edges and give the surface a polished appearance.
_1726229991.png)
Constructing the base frame surface
Next, we’ll create the base frame that surrounds the rectangular boss. This involves extruding additional lines from the sketch.
- Create a New Geometrical Set: Name it Base and hide the rectangular boss for better visibility.
- Extrude the Base Frame: Select the 3D profile of the base frame and extrude it in both directions, normal to the YZ plane. This will create the foundation of the base surface.
- Extrude Additional Lines: Extrude another horizontal line in both directions, normal to the XY plane. Now we have surfaces for the circular boss, rectangular boss, and base frame.
Converting Surfaces into solid bodies
Once the surfaces are in place, it’s time to convert them into solid bodies by adding thickness. This will prepare the surfaces for manufacturing.
- Switch to the Part Design Workbench: From the start menu, switch to the Part Design Workbench to use the solid modeling tools. Define the Part Body to prepare for adding thickness.
- Apply the Thick Surface Command: Select the Thick Surface Command from the surface-based features toolbar. Update the first offset value to 6 mm and apply it to the rectangular and circular surfaces to give them solid thickness.
- Split the Base Frame: Use the Split Command to cut the base frame using the profiles of the rectangular and circular bosses. This will integrate the bosses into the base frame for a unified structure.
_1726230979.png)
Creating the bushes
The final step is to create the bushes on top of the bosses. These will be cut through the bosses to form holes for the bushes.
- Create a New Geometrical Set: Name it Bushes and switch to the Generative Shape Design Workbench to start building the bush surfaces.
- Extrude the Bush Profiles: Select the 3D profiles of the bushes and use the Extrude Command to create surfaces for each bush. Adjust the extrusion limits as specified in the drawing.
- Apply the Split Command: Return to the Part Design Workbench to apply the Split Command. Use this to create holes in the bosses by trimming away the material where the bushes will sit.
- Add Thickness to the Bushes: Finally, apply the Thick Surface Command to the bushes, with varying thicknesses based on the drawing specifications. This step converts the bush surfaces into solid bodies.
_1726231086.png)
Conclusion
In this session, we walked through the entire process of designing a rectangular boss and its base frame using surface design in CATIA V5. We used tools like extrude, trim, and split to construct the surfaces and then converted them into solid bodies using the Thick Surface Command.
By mastering these surface design techniques, you’ll be able to create intricate components that are common in industries like automotive and aerospace. Stay tuned for more in-depth tutorials as we continue to explore the powerful features of CATIA V5!
This blog is part of our ongoing CATIA Design Series. If you missed the previous posts, check them out here
Would you like to have a more interactive experience going through the CATIA user interface?
Skill-Lync has released a FREE comprehensive course covering CATIA in detail! Check it out here.
Right from the user interface's fundamentals, menus and options, this course covers most aspects of the tool from a practical perspective. It even includes a certificate to add to your resume after completion!
Check out our hands-on course today and add CATIA to your list of skills!
Let’s get #IndustryReady together, one skill at a time!
Author
Alda Rovina
Author
Skill-Lync
Subscribe to Our Free Newsletter
Continue Reading
Related Blogs
Explore the fundamentals of vehicle dynamics and ultimate trends in the field from design and modeling to control with Skill Lync's exclusive course on the subject. Read about how Skill-Lync's CAE courses can help you get employed.
29 Jul 2020
In this article, we will briefly discuss the working, applications, and features of the one-dimensional systematic simulation tool, GT-Power, in Emission Control Strategy, engine calibration, hybrid vehicle modeling. Read about how Skill-Lync's CAE courses can help you get employed.
29 Jul 2020
This article offers a brief introduction to the globally accepted standard of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing, and its importance for the entire manufacturing process. Read about how Skill-Lync's CAE courses can help you get employed.
29 Jul 2020
In this blog we will read about Going a step into Biomechanics and how Skill-Lync's CAE course will help you get employed.
10 May 2020
The powertrain is the most prominent source of vibrations that affects the driving experience for the people on board. This blog from Skill-Lync examines these vibrations to help enhance that experience.
22 Aug 2020
Author
Skill-Lync
Subscribe to Our Free Newsletter
Continue Reading
Related Blogs
Explore the fundamentals of vehicle dynamics and ultimate trends in the field from design and modeling to control with Skill Lync's exclusive course on the subject. Read about how Skill-Lync's CAE courses can help you get employed.
29 Jul 2020
In this article, we will briefly discuss the working, applications, and features of the one-dimensional systematic simulation tool, GT-Power, in Emission Control Strategy, engine calibration, hybrid vehicle modeling. Read about how Skill-Lync's CAE courses can help you get employed.
29 Jul 2020
This article offers a brief introduction to the globally accepted standard of Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing, and its importance for the entire manufacturing process. Read about how Skill-Lync's CAE courses can help you get employed.
29 Jul 2020
In this blog we will read about Going a step into Biomechanics and how Skill-Lync's CAE course will help you get employed.
10 May 2020
The powertrain is the most prominent source of vibrations that affects the driving experience for the people on board. This blog from Skill-Lync examines these vibrations to help enhance that experience.
22 Aug 2020
Related Courses
