Using a surface with kerf to split a shape.

scott_hess

As a challenge, I was trying to model an "impossible dovetail" box for a 3d printer.  A bit I'm a little stuck on is how to slice the box into two parts with consideration of tolerance.  As far as I can tell, the sketch I'm using to split the box is a zero-thickness surface.  Based on past experience, I know I'll need a something like .1mm on either side of the cut to make for a reasonable interlock.

The best I can figure right now would be to build a shape and use that to split things, which will be ... annoying.  Certainly doable, but annoying.

Work in progress:
   https://cad.onshape.com/documents/d8640e8237336dfd1fceeefe

Jake_Rosenfeld

@scott_hess

Instead of a 'Split' feature, you could try a "Thicken" feature on your surface with the "Remove" option (merge scope of the block).  This will split your part into two pieces with the desired offset:

Jake_Rosenfeld

@scott_hess

Instead of a 'Split' feature, you could try a "Thicken" feature on your surface with the "Remove" option (merge scope of the block).  This will split your part into two pieces with the desired offset:

scott_hess

Wait, where did  ... oh.  Oh, looks like I managed to double-post somehow?  This was the answer suggested over at https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/8459/using-a-surface-with-kerf-to-split-a-shape , and it worked well.  Thanks!