I'd like to get some modeling advice. I'm working on a part which I'm going to 3D-print. It's going to be a device where hexagon shaped tools can be inserted at different angles. This is how it looks like at the moment. The green body (Body_tool) represents the hexagon tool (just to make it clear what I'm trying to achieve).
What I've done so far
- Create a spreadsheet to hold the dimensions (dim)
- Create the base body (half of it)
- Create a pocket for the tool insert which points upwards
- Make a polar pattern out of that pocket
- Mirror the base body to get the second half of it
Heads up: Currently, I'm using block constraints in the first sketch (used for the pad named Pad), since I'm not sure yet how I want the base body to be shaped in the end. Of course I'm going to replace those with proper dimensions.
What's bothering me
1. Arrange hexagon pockets at curved shape
Basically, I'd like to create an "array" of hexagon shaped pockets side by side along a curved surface (marked in the following screenshot):
It's working with a polar pattern like it's now. I had to play with the parameters. Is there an easier / more straight forward way?
2. Wall thickness
I've marked the minimum wall thickness I'd like to achieve in the end in the following screenshot:
The elements created by the polar pattern are (of course) reducing this wall thickness. Like it is now, I could create a pad to make sure I'm getting my desired wall thickness. Again, I'm wondering - Is there an easier / more straight forward way?
Would it be useful to have a closer look at the array tools of the Draft_Workbench or Lattice2_Workbench?
Thank you very much! I'm looking forward to your ideas and approaches!
Max
FreeCAD version information
Code: Select all
OS: Ubuntu 22.04.2 LTS (ubuntu:GNOME/ubuntu)
Word size of FreeCAD: 64-bit
Version: 0.21.0.33303 (Git) AppImage
Build type: Release
Branch: master
Hash: 5b075a9938b78076fdde9034de4a05685e42690e
Python 3.10.11, Qt 5.15.8, Coin 4.0.0, Vtk 9.1.0, OCC 7.6.3
Locale: English/United States (en_US)
Installed mods:
* LCInterlocking
* kicadStepUpMod 10.19.4
* Lithophane
* lattice2 1.0.0
* Defeaturing 1.2.0
* Manipulator
* fasteners 0.4.56
* Assembly3 0.12.0
* sheetmetal 0.2.63
* Assembly4
* Curves 0.6.9
* POV-Ray-Rendering
* 3DfindIT 1.2.0