Modelling tube with flattened ends

[sacherjj]

Trying to figure out the best way to model an aluminum tube with flattened ends.

I can get lofts to work if I model half a tube, and then either have to boolean merge or assembly.



If I use tubular shapes, a loft doesn't work.

Is there an easier way for this?

 

[Ken226]

Have you tried using a separate loft boss for the OD, and loft cut to create the interior? Or perhaps loft the exterior, then shell the interior:

 

[sacherjj]

Oh, shelling sounds like the right idea. I'll try that route tomorrow.

 

[DavidJ]

Feature Mirror of the loft is often an option.

 

[sacherjj]

Shelling breaks down really quick. If I shell along the way, I can't loft. If I loft, I can't shell through it all.

I'll look at loft feature mirror.

 

[sacherjj]

Is there no way to retain original when mirroring? This would be really helpful. I'm going with boolean join with sub part and main part. Too many other parts to draw for this airplane.

 

[DavidJ]

Is there no way to retain original when mirroring? This would be really helpful.

FEATURE Mirror does retain the original. You can mirror multiple features in one operation - BUT remember it is the FUNCTION of the feature tool, not purely geometry that is mirrored.

 

[jroy]

Hi Sacherjj,

what you want to do looks like something I tried not so long ago, look below...


Make sure that the perimeter of the flatten section is equal or very close to the circumference of the tube section. That's how I was almost able to apply a shell command after the loft.

Hope it helps, have a nice day,

Jocelyn

 

[sacherjj]

Thanks for the options. I'll go back through this when I'm back in draw time. I think once you have drawn a part 4 or 5 different ways, you finally learn the "right" way to do it.

I've found taking old blueprints (1970s) and creating them in 3D to be a great way of learning all parts of the product as you build up things you might not in my normal designing. Since it also is mainly sheet metal, it makes me wish I could swing Expert now, but we will see in a year or so.