FREE FORM BINDER
This function generates a binder surface from the section lines defined on the screen. Figure 6.2.32 shows the available functions in the FREE FORM BINDER dialog window.
Figure 6.2.32 Free Form Binder
DEFINE BINDER ORIENTATION
This function defines the UV-direction of the binder surface. The line with the arrowhead controls the surface shape and must be parallel to the direction of the part boundary. Figure 6.2.35 shows a typical orientation of the U-V axes relative to the part.
CURRENT VIEW AS V-W PLANE
This function enables the user to use the current view to define the points of the binder section line. For certain parts, it is not obvious to define the binder U-V axes from the top view using DEFINE BINDER ORIENTATION function. The user rotates the part to a view that is suitable to define the binder section and clicks the CURRENT VIEW AS V-W PLANE button to define the binder U-V plane according to the current view. The program will define the binder V axis parallel to the screen X direction (from left to right). The binder W axis will be defined parallel to the screen Y direction (from bottom to top). The binder U axis will be obtained by the right hand rule (normal from the screen). In summary, the binder V-W axes are parallel to the screen X-Y axes. The user will be able to define the binder section line in the current view.
DEFINE SECTION LINE
This function is used to select locations on the screen to define the section line at both ends of the binder along the binder U axis. Click DEFINE SECTION LINE to display the SELECT POINT dialog, Figure 6.2.33. The program will display the part model in binder V-W plane automatically and prompt:
CLICK LOCATIONS ON THE SCREEN TO DEFINE SECTION LINE
CLICK LEFT BUTTON TO SELECT, RIGHT TO REJECT, MIDDLE TO EXIT
Figure 6.2.33 Selected points of section line
SHOW GRID Select this option to display the V-W grid plane. Select locations on the grid to define the section line.
LENGTH Defines the edge length of the grid plane.
DIVISION Determines the unit length of the grid plane.
NUMBER Defines the number of grid lines.
UPDATE Updates the grid plane.
The user may define as many locations on the screen as necessary to define the section line. The program will extend the section line according to the binder margin defined in the dialog window. Figure 6.2.34 shows a typical section line defined on the screen.
Figure 6.2.34 Typical Section Line
DYNAFORM assigns the defined section line to both ends of the binder (along the binder U direction) according to the binder margin. The user may use the editing function to modify the section either or both section lines.
DEFINE CONTROL LINE
This function allows the user to define the shape of the binder along the binder U direction. If the user does not define the control line, the program will use a straight line between the section lines at both ends of the binder. Once this function is activated, the program will display the part model in binder U-W plane and prompt the user to select locations on the screen to define the control line.
CLICK LOCATIONS ON THE SCREEN TO DEFINE CONTROL LINE
CLICK LEFT BUTTON TO SELECT, RIGHT TO REJECT, MIDDLE TO EXIT
The user may define as many locations on the screen as necessary to define the control line. The program will map the control line to join the section lines. Figure 6.2.35 shows a typical control line joining the section lines.
Figure 6.2.35 Typical Control Line Joining Section Lines
EDIT SECTION LINE
This function allows the user to modify the shape of the section line or control line. See a detailed description on the EDIT LINE function in Section 6.2.1.
DELETE SECTION LINE
This function allows the user to delete the section line or control line. If a section line is deleted, the program will assign the existing section line to the opposite end of the binder. If the control line is deleted, the program will return to the default setting which uses a straight line between the section lines at both ends of the binder.
COPY SECTION LINE
This function allows the user to copy the section line to the opposite end of the binder. It is usually done after a section line is modified and the user wishes to have the identical section line on the opposite end. The user would delete the other section line before executing this function. Figure 6.2.36 shows a typical free form binder with a curved control line.
Figure 6.2.36 A Typical Free Form Binder with Control Line
For a detailed description of other binder editing functions, refer to Section 6.2.1, TWO-LINE BINDER.