Loft following bridging curve is boxy when viewed from above

richard_hartmann

Dear all,

I am pretty new at all this; matter of fact, I only started with 3D design a week ago and with Onshape early this week. While I watched the training material and searched the forum, I suspect that I lack the terms and concepts to meaningfully search for information.

When viewing https://cad.onshape.com/documents/d927183037eea7c537772439/v/6fd1257f8187153525d74729/e/e3593362ec5528415a06102e from the top, it looks boxy; it has eight clearly visible segments. I am at a loss as to how to make this a circular belly around the pen holder. I did try a third circle in between the two existing ones, but could not place it to come out at this rough shape. A closely similar shape would also be a success; I am not fixed on any one way to implement this and don't need to follow this exact shape, I just want to achieve something roughly similar and circular.

If there was a way to replace the solid wall with a gyroid pattern or have ridges spiral up around the pen holder that would be even better. I am positive this is doable, but I don't know how to, yet.

The context of this is, of course, 3D printing with filament.


Thanks in advance for any hints, URLs, edits, or so,
Richard

John_P_Desilets

@richard_hartmann Thanks for sharing!  I don't think it is necessary to use splines for this type of loft. The splines are causing the flats on the outside of the surface. If you use "tangent to profile" for the start and end profile condition, you can achieve this shape without guides. By adjusting the end magnitude you can control how much to influence the shape of the surface. 

Here is my attempt. Please let us know how you make out!


https://cad.onshape.com/documents/15a957f2f0bfa6d953c51ea3/w/33d4f5c6097a5f34ab1a5a44/e/2401cfb529ee48d7b91fe4e4

mahir

Even more simple, you can make the desired shape with one Sketch and one Revolve feature. Lofts and Sweeps are generally used for more complicated shapes. But simple linear/circular shapes are best done with Revolves and Extrudes.

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/4e14b287408500209de3bf07/w/ffec7519dab55c77f1929fae/e/85935d2cfdd91a798afeb03f

richard_hartmann

Thanks to both of you! I will try both approaches over the weekend. This as much about the learning as it is about the result and both approaches seem handy.