Geometry Definition
All functions creating surfaces are ideally suited for tool, model and mold making. The technologically necessary blendings, surface transitions and draft surfaces are created in a practical and flexible way. Also EUKLID offers functions to compensate the mold part geometry for future shrinkage.
The system’s high level of integration gives you the following advantages:
- All geometric data can be used both in two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) drafting without any conversion or intermediate steps.
- The same geometric database is used to control all the manufacturing and quality assurance systems.
- The software and hardware concepts are modular, allowing a customized configuration tailored to your operating environment.
2D Contours
Most products to be machined are based on 2D CAD data or drawings. To define the geometry, EUKLID CAD/CAM offers a wide range of 2D construction possibilities. As an example, you may enter outline contours or cross sections from the given data or reconstruct them directly from the drawing.
To do so, the Sketcher is offered, a highly efficient tool with which you create 2D curves in a quick and simple way. The position and form of the curves are defined by dimensioned conditions. Modifications of the curves, e.g. by moving an element or by modifying a dimension, will automatically create a new, adapted curve.
In other words: The Sketcher takes care of the curve´s consistency, always respecting the given constraints. After a modification, the adjacent curve segments are easily adapted.
3D Modeling
A number of standard functions make it easy to define the 3D model. Most functions are based on 2D/3D curves or on given surfaces. Some surfaces are simply defined by entering such parameters as length, width, height and so on.
2D/3D curves: Defining 2D curves out of circles, lines or splines and 3D Bezier polygons allows you to create a wide range of free-form surfaces.
- Surface between several profiles
- Surfaces along one or two directrices with as many intermediate profiles as you like
- Surface with (variable) draft angle to a directrix
- Surface with (variable) draft angle to given surfaces
- Surfaces of rotation
- Profile surfaces, with directrix
- Intersecting surfaces, filling surfaces
Draft Surfaces
A geometry’s capacity to demold is a must for tool and model making as well as for casting and forging.
Special EUKLID functions automatically create smooth tangential draft surfaces, with given length and draft angle, onto a plane, or onto a 2D-/3D-curve with variable draft angle.
Characteristics of draft surfaces:
- Draft surfaces are always ruled surfaces, i.e., a straight line in one direction
- may blend tangentially into the surface at a constant draft angle
- or tangentially into the surface or curve (cseg), at a varying draft angle
- starts from a curve at a freely selectable draft angle, or at a varying draft angle
- or through two curves at a varying draft angle
Blendings
Blending or rounding connects surfaces with each other and trims their boundaries automatically. The rolling-ball method allows blending of multiple surfaces, regardless of their complexity. The radius may be fixed or variable.
The resulting compound of surfaces does not show the smallest gap. EUKLID CAD/CAM finds its way in even the most complex situations, blending the surfaces automatically. EUKLID CAD/CAM offers full access to the surface boundaries at all times. If necessary, you may easily extract boundary curves, e.g. to generate theoretical edges, or, if third party surfaces are involved, to repair them.Furthermore, you may define free, variable rounding of individual surfaces or groups of surfaces.
Volume Calculation
EUKLID CAD/CAM calculates the volume of any geometrical form you like, including complex freeform surfaces, allowing the user to make assessments about future weight and cost of a component at a very early stage.
Shrinkage
With EUKLID CAD/CAM, you may scale all the 3D-geometry in whatever planes or directions you like, allowing the user to select the same or different scale factors for each 3D-axis. For forging and casting, the most important expansion and calibration are realized by partial expansion.
Mold Separation / Pattern Partition
EUKLID CAD/CAM creates automatic mold separations and separation lines almost immediately.
The model is separated into upper and lower parts, creating two half patterns. Then, more branch-specific standard elements, such as sprues, open feeders and flash of the die are defined and prepared for machining.