2 rail sweep

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Brooderman
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Dec 04, 2014 7:06 pm
Model of CNC Machine: Shopbot

2 rail sweep

Post by Brooderman »

Ramp1.gif
I've watched the tutorials, but I just don't get it. I want to create a female mold that I can use to make male pieces out of fiberglass. I can draw the end of the profile. I'd like to extend this profile along a 6 foot straight line and generate machine code (shopbot) to cut this. It seems like the easiest of processes.

But I don't get it. I could even probe it and create a point cloud of a short length of this. But that is not the smart way to do this.

(And all you 12 year olds can start snickering at all the double entendres - wait you've already started.) Now that I've insulted the twelve year olds that know how to do this let me grovel and apologize. I have version 4.514 of aspire and use the 2.5 processes fluently.

More detail - the finished product - I need a 3% draft on each side to aid in getting the part out of the mold. This part is a side rail 2" high, rounded over on top (1/4" radius but not real important), about 1.2" wide at the base (which in the female would be at the top) and 1" at the bottom where the 1/4" radius rounded over part starts. And it goes straight for 6 feet. I should be able to do this but I just can't get it. My component wants to go in y direction not x,

So I need help. Or someone who wants some bucks in their PayPal account. I'd rather learn how but I'm losing big on the time I've invested in this and I have to move on. I could use the existing side rail as a mold but then I get all the nicks and dents too.

Teach me or I'll pay - either way, gotta get it done for the weekend.

Thanks - I think this is my first post so, Howdy!
Attachments
ramp2.gif
Ramp3.gif

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Alan Male
Vectric Craftsman
Posts: 173
Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 11:31 pm
Model of CNC Machine: heiz 400T
Location: Stevenage - UK

Re: 2 rail sweep

Post by Alan Male »

Are you just wanting to model the straight portion? If so you could use the extrude option (next to two rail sweep).
You then just need 2 objects...
1. A line to represent the vector length and direction
2. A cross sectional curve that will be extruded along the line.
Hope this helps.
CNC m/c - Heiz 400T
Software - Aspire, VCarve Pro, Photo VCarve, WinPC-NC
CAD - Catia V5

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mezalick
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 2970
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:07 am
Model of CNC Machine: Camaster Cobra
Location: Philadelphia, PA USA
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Re: 2 rail sweep

Post by mezalick »

I came up with something like this.
Is this what you're looking for ?
Michael
Attachments
roundover 1.JPG
Michael Mezalick
https://www.youtube.com/user/mezalick
mm@mezalick.com

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mezalick
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 2970
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:07 am
Model of CNC Machine: Camaster Cobra
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Re: 2 rail sweep

Post by mezalick »

Alan Male wrote:Are you just wanting to model the straight portion? If so you could use the extrude option (next to two rail sweep).
You then just need 2 objects...
1. A line to represent the vector length and direction
2. A cross sectional curve that will be extruded along the line.
Hope this helps.
Alan,
You're on the correct path, the issue is, as I see it, is the rounded end.
Here's what the extrude process produces..

Michael
Attachments
roundover 2.JPG
Michael Mezalick
https://www.youtube.com/user/mezalick
mm@mezalick.com

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mezalick
Vectric Wizard
Posts: 2970
Joined: Mon Nov 03, 2008 9:07 am
Model of CNC Machine: Camaster Cobra
Location: Philadelphia, PA USA
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Re: 2 rail sweep

Post by mezalick »

Here’s how I made the shape
1. Create vector of shape needed
2. Create two vectors to represent the vertical rails of a two rail sweep
Create component from these vertical rails
3. Create a oval that would be the end of the shape. ( 1.5” wide x 2” high )
4. In that oval make the left node ( 9 o’clock) the starting node, it should be green
5. Copy that oval and immediately paste it. The new oval should be on top of the first oval.
6. With one of the oval selected ( it’s a pink dotted oval ) change into node editing mode and make the right node ( 3 o’clock) the starting point.
You can do this by hovering the pointer over the node and pressing the “P” key.
7. Select both ovals and click on the 2 rail sweep option.
8. Click on the “ Use Selection” button .
9. Click on the profile shape and click on “Apply.
10. Make sure each component is set to merge.

I made only half of the shape but you could simply flip vertically the component while making a new copy .
Attachments
oval 1.JPG
oval 2.JPG
oval 4.JPG
oval 5.JPG
Michael Mezalick
https://www.youtube.com/user/mezalick
mm@mezalick.com

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