GROUP SURFACE
This function is used to group the top and bottom surfaces of sheet metal parts.
The GROUP SURFACE procedure is similar to the GENERATE MIDDLE SURFACE function. The following steps are used to group top and bottom surface.
Once the function is selected, the SELECT SURFACE window appears to prompt the user to select a seed surface for the part thickness. Select a surface at the part thickness. Refer to Figure 5.6.7.
After selecting the thickness surface, the THICKNESS window appears with the thickness calculated from the select seed surface. The data field allows the user to enter the average thickness of the part.
After accepting the given thickness value, the program will automatically group the surfaces through the thickness, and the corresponding surfaces will be highlighted. Refer to Figure 5.6.8. At the same time, the OPTION window, Figure 5.6.9, is displayed.
ADD THICK SURFACE and REMOVE THICK SURFACES functions are used to add or remove surfaces from the thickness group in case the program does not produce prefect grouping. In this example it is necessary to add surfaces as in Figure 5.6.10.
After the thickness grouping is done, click GROUP TOP SURFACE, Figure 5.6.9. The program will group the top surfaces of the part. Refer to Figure 5.6.11. The grouped surfaces are highlighted, and at the same time the SELECT OPTION window, Figure 5.6.15, is displayed.
Figure 5.6.15 Group Options
This program groups the surfaces for the top face. If the result is not perfect, use ADD TOP SURFACE or REMOVE TOP SURFACE to adjust the result. In this case, three surfaces must be added to the top surface group. The result is shown in Figure 5.6.13
Click GROUP BOTTOM SURFACE to group the bottom surfaces of the part (Figure 5.6.15). At this point, Figure 5.6.16 and Figure 5.6.17 are displayed.
Figure 5.6.16 Group Bottom Surfaces Options
Figure 5.6.17 Group Bottom Surfaces
The program groups the surfaces for the bottom face. If the result is not perfect, use ADD BOTTOM SURFACES or REMOVE BOTTOM SURFACES to adjust the result. In this instance, it is necessary to add three surfaces to the bottom surface group. The result is shown in Figure 5.6.17.
Click DONE on Figure 5.6.16 to finish grouping. The result is seen in Figure 5.6.18.
Figure 5.6.18 Result of Grouping
The thickness surfaces are put in the part called ThkSrf1, the top surfaces are put in the part called TopSrf1, and the bottom surfaces are put in the part called BotSrf1. The number "1" will be incremented by 1 for each subsequent grouping operation.
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