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POINT / HOLE PATTERN ON A HEMISPHERE
michael_mcewen
OS Professional Posts: 77 PRO
I'm trying to create a file for a 5 axis laser to cut a "random" pattern of a few sizes of holes in a hemispherical metal spinning. I have no idea how to approach this with any efficiency. If I create a plane perpendicular to the center of the hemisphere, there is really only one hole (at the center of the plane) that is truly round; all others will be elliptical. Using the circular pattern tool to multiply planes with one hole each seems like a ridiculous approach. There has to be a better way.
It doesn't help that I want to achieve the appearance of a random hole pattern AND that I need to taper off the density of holes as I move from the mid-line of the hemisphere to the top. Please, any guidance or suggestions would be so appreciated. Here's my link. You can see what I've tried. Thank you. -Michael
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/e1cca344bad6e0e580120f90/w/8ffe0ab198d505b1d9d0e8d2/e/9c1da7b05a43f79418ff6508
It doesn't help that I want to achieve the appearance of a random hole pattern AND that I need to taper off the density of holes as I move from the mid-line of the hemisphere to the top. Please, any guidance or suggestions would be so appreciated. Here's my link. You can see what I've tried. Thank you. -Michael
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/e1cca344bad6e0e580120f90/w/8ffe0ab198d505b1d9d0e8d2/e/9c1da7b05a43f79418ff6508
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From the perspective of a programmer, I see this as the perfect task for FeatureScript. What I would do here is the following:
Define some CSV file full of "directions" and "radiuses" in some consistent format. What I'm thinking is direction from center and radius of each hole.
For each of these holes, make a circular sketch with the specified radius at the origin of the sphere, and extrude it through all in the specified direction. Then subtract from the sphere.
These steps are not really feasible manually, but something that would be super easy with a custom feature. I'll put together an example you can "borrow"
Thank you so much for suggesting an approach to my issue, although I'm not certain I fully understand how to go about it. You mentioned putting together an example. Is that something you'd still be willing to do?
Thanks again, -Michael
Apologies for the delay, here's that feature I promised:
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/e874e4ea694604c34d62559c/w/36edd35a378142bf9226b3ca/e/2f8ab58a8264606476383827
To add it to your toolbar just navigate to the example part studio and press the "+ custom features" button. You'll have to make your own CSV file and import it into your own document. There is a link to an example in google docs provided in the documentation. You can make a copy of this google doc and edit it to your liking, then save as CSV and import into your Onshape doc. Or if you have some other preferred method of making the CSV you can do it a different way.