help autoform-lesson 2

A simple Tool
This lesson describes the complete work flow for the generation of a tool basing on a

simple part geometry. Besides the addendum and binder generation as described in

Lesson 1, the functions for mirroring symmetrical parts, the filling of holes and boundary
fill are introduced in this lesson.

http://www.4shared.com/photo/YryeQtk2/fig_21.html fig 2.1

Left part of the part geometryCreating a new Simulation

File > New > File name: lesson2 > OK User interface

Importing the Part Geometry

Only one half of the part geometry is available in af format for this

lesson. The complete part is created by mirroring the available half

about a symmetry–plane.

Geometry generator

File > Import > af > OK > Files: dd_lesson_02.af > OK

Defining the Symmetry–plane and Generating the Part Boundary

Before mirroring the geometry, a symmetry–plane has to bedefined.

Prepare Symmetry/double …

http://www.4shared.com/photo/LyySOtK1/fig_22.html fig 2.2

Definition of Geometry type and Symmetry plane

Use the second icon (Symmetry, half input) in the area Geometry

type to indicate that only one half of the symmetrical geometry has

been read. This half of the geometry will be mirrored about the symmetry–plane.

Prepare Symmetry, half input > x-z-plane > y: 0 > OK

Generate the boundary by clicking on Apply

Automatic Filling of all Holes

Select the Modify P page and accept the default settings.

Modify P All holes > Apply

Boundary Fill

Go to the Bndry page. Before generating an outer addendum, all

holes have to be filled and the part boundary has to be smoothened.

The generated outer fill faces are called boundary fill. The outer

boundary fill line is determined by tangential points created by a

roll cylinder moving around the part boundary and its roll radius.

The new boundary is called the zero line.

Add bndry fill … > Pick curve: Curve1 > OK Bndry

Bndry fill roll radius: 500

Finally click on Apply.

http://www.4shared.com/photo/BtQkd0B8/fig_23.html fig 2.3

Geometry after mirroring, filling holes and boundary fill

Generating a Binder Surface with Auto–Binder

Use the Auto–Binder function to quickly generate a binder surface.

Accept the default settings as in Lesson 1 with the exception of settings

of the drawing depth. Select Uniform to achieve a uniform

drawing depth over the whole part.

Auto … > Drawing depth: Uniform > Apply

http://www.4shared.com/photo/BtQkd0B8/fig_23.html fig 2.4

Binder surface and representation of the drawing depth over the part Generating an Outer Addendum

To generate an outer addendum go to the Addendum page. Select the zero line:

Addendum Add addendum … > Pick curve: Curve1 > OK

A new tab called Outer is added to the Addendum page. Move the

mouse (without clicking) over the six template icons at the bottom

of the page to see available pre–defined profile templates. Use the

Smooth template for the master–profile. Accept the default settings

with the exception of Punch opening width:PO: 50

or: Move the vertical line up to 50

http://www.4shared.com/photo/IweHIEbK/fig_25.html fig 2.5

Master–profile with Smooth template

Note: Fig 2.5 shows the current settings of the master–profile and

the original state before changing the PO width (dashed line).

Finally click on Addendum Apply

The complete tool is as shown in Fig 2.6:

http://www.4shared.com/photo/U1NCyxGX/fig_26.html fig 2.6

Complete tool (PO line active in Curve manager)

Saving the Data

File > Save