Projecting Geometry to Curved Surfaces

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Autodesk Inventor Tips & Tricks

Projecting Geometry to Curved Surfaces

By David Melvin, PE, TEDCF Publishing

This tip uses Autodesk Inventor 2012 to demonstrate how to create a sweep along a curved surface like this one. The technique described in the tip can be used to create features that are far more complicated than cosmetic designs.

The Trick

The trick is to project the path onto the surface using the Project Geometry to Surface command.

The Process

First you need to have a curved surface. There’s no need to use this procedure on a flat surface.

The next step is to draw the shape of the path on a 2D Sketch. You may have to create work planes to get the right sketch orientation. It also helps to add a work point so that you can project it to the surface, and then use it to position the profile.

Exit the sketch, and then create a 3D Sketch. Once you’ve done that, click the Project Geometry to Surface command in the 3D Sketch tab.

Hold the Control key down and select all the surfaces that you plan to project to.

Click the Curves button, and then select the geometry you plan to project. If you added a work point, be sure to select it as well.

Click OK to project the geometry.

Now all you have to do is create a profile for the sweep operation. Use the projected work point to position the profile on the 2D sketch, and then sweep it along the path.

The result is a sweep along the surface.

How is this Beneficial?

This technique is used to create complicated sweep paths and guide rails along surfaces, and it’s not limited to cosmetic designs. For example, you can use it to create a pump impeller.

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