Tutorial 6: Sweeps and Blends

Introduction

Sweeping and blending are useful techniques for designing parts which may be difficult to model with extrusions or revolves.  Unlike these other modeling techniques, sweeps and blends allow for parts with varying cross-sections and parts that twist or bend.  In this section you will created a constant cross-section U-shaped part using a sweep and a vase using a blend.

 

Creating a Swept Part

1. Start Pro/E Wildfire. 2. Select [File] -> [New] and name the new part [Example6A]. 3. Select [Insert] -> [Sweep] -> [Protrusion] from the menu bar. 4. Select [Sketch Traj] from the Menu Manager.  This will allow you to sketch the trajectory of the sweep. 5. Select the plane labeled FRONT, and select [Okay] from the DIRECTION menu in the Menu Manager. 6. Select [Default] from SKET VIEW.  Pro/E will switch to Sketcher Mode. 7. Select [Sketch] -> [Intent Manager] from the menu bar. 8. Draw the path shown in Figure 6.1 as follows:

Select [Line] from the GEOMETRY menu.  Click points A and B with the left mouse button, and click the middle mouse button. Click points C and D with the left mouse button, and click the middle mouse button. Select [Arc] from the GEOMETRY menu. Select [Center/Ends] from the ARC TYPE menu. Click points E, B, and D with the left mouse button.

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[Figure 6.1]

 

9. Select [Regenerate] from the SKETCHER menu. 10. Dimension the path as shown in Figure 6.2.  Modify the dimensions if necessary. 

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[Figure 6.2]

 

11. Select [Done] from the SKETCHER menu. 12. Now you will sketch the cross-section of the part.  Select [Sketch] -> [Intent Manager] from the menu bar. 13. Draw the section shown in Figure 6.3 as follows:

Select [Line] from the GEOMETRY menu.  Click points A and B with the left mouse button, and then click the middle mouse button. Select [Arc] from the GEOMETRY menu. Select [Center/Ends] from the ARC TYPE menu.

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Click points C, A, and B with the left mouse button.

[Figure 6.3]

 

14. Select [Regenerate] from the SKETCHER menu. 15. Add the dimensions shown in Figure 6.4 as follows:

Click Edge1 and the plane labeled RIGHT with the left mouse button, and then click point A with the middle mouse button.

Click Arc with the left mouse button, and then click point B with the middle mouse button. Select [Regenerate] and modify dimensions if necessary.

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[Figure 6.4]

 

16. Select [Regenerate] and then [Done] from the SKETCHER menu. 17. Select OK button from the PROTRUSION: Sweep pop-up menu. 18. Rotate the part to view it from all angles.  You should see the image shown in Figure 6.5.

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[Figure 6.5]

 

Creating a Blended Part

 

1. Select [File] -> [New] and name the new part [Example6B]. 2. Select [Insert] -> [Blend] -> [Protrusion] from the menu bar.

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3. Select [Done] from the Menu Manager pop-up.  4. Select [Smooth] and then [Done] from the Attributes menu. 5. Select the plane labeled FRONT, and select [Okay] from the DIRECTION menu in the Menu Manager. 6. Select [Default] from SKET VIEW.  Pro/E will switch to Sketcher Mode. 7. Select [Sketch] -> [Intent Manager] from the menu bar. 8. Select [Circle] from the GEOMETRY menu. 9. Draw a circle and dimension it as shown in Figure 6.6.  This will define the cross-section of the beginning of the blend.

[Figure 6.6]

 

10. Select [Sec Tools] from the SKETCHER menu.

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11. Select [Toggle] from the SEC TOOLS menu.  12. Select [Sketch] from the SKETCHER menu and [Circle] from the GEOMETRY menu. 13. Define the second cross-section by drawing a circle concentric to the first as shown in Figure 6.7.  Dimension it as shown.

[Figure 6.7]

 

14. Repeat steps 10 - 13 twice to add two more circular cross-sections.  Dimension the first one to have a diameter of 30 and the second to have a diameter of 50.  You should see the image shown in Figure 6.8.

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[Figure 6.8]

 

15. Select [Done] from the SKETCHER menu. 16. Enter 75 as the depth for section 2 in the textbox at the bottom of the screen, and click the check button. 17. Enter 75 as the depth for section 3, and click the check button. 18. Enter 25 as the depth for section 4, and click the check button. 19. Select the OK button from the PROTRUSION: Blend menu. 20. Rotate vase to view it from all angles.  You should see the image shown in Figure 6.9.

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[Figure 6.9]

 

21. Select the Shell Tool icon from the tool bar at the right of the screen. 22. Enter 5 into the Thickness textbox at the shell tool bar on the dashboard. 23. Select [References] from the shell tool menu bar on the dashboard. 24. Select the top surface of the vase, as shown in Figure 6.10.

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[Figure 6.10]

 

25. Click the check button.  You should see the shelled vase shown in Figure 6.11.

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[Figure 6.11]

 

26. Select [File] -> [Save] from menu bar to save the part. 27. Test the information you have learned in this tutorial by completing Problem 6.

 

 

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