MFF mt10035 NX W

UNIGRAPHICS
MECHANICAL FREE FORM

WORKBOOK
September 2002
MT10035 - Unigraphics NX
EDS Inc.
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Mechanical Free Form Workbook Publication History:
Version 15.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 1999

Version 16.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 2000
Version 17.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . December 2000
Version 18.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 2001
Unigraphics NX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 2002
Truck Body Panels - Variations in Methodology
The truck panels project is a design study for vehicle packaging. Trucks typically
have less stringent requirements than automobiles, thus, the truck panel
provides practice in sound basic techniques applicable to any free form project.
Data was translated into Unigraphics. To conserve classroom time, much

tedious framing and spline fitting has already been done. The task at hand is to
quickly complete a solid model to be evaluated for fit and interference with
existing designed parts.
Consider the design to be work in progress. It will not be totally complete in this
class.
Design approaches that you will be directed to take are not considered to be
universal. This mimics real life situations. As a design is reviewed by different
disciplines, various possible modeling methods are considered. The design
matures from the recommendations made by those disciplines.
Objectives
In this class, your objective is to employ a variety of Unigraphics Free Form

functions to capture a feeling for creating a solid model that preserves design
intent.
With the above in mind, parts from various industries will also appear in this
workbook, where their use effectively illustrates a process.
EEDS
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Mechanical Free Form
Workbook
-1
Design Criteria
D No reversal of curvature in major sheets.

D Reflection quality is paramount:
D All segments must be extremely smooth.
D Transitions must be curvature continuous."
D The model must be easy to update: design criteria will change often.
Here is an illustration of the panels that you will model:
EEDS Unigraphics NX
-2 Mechanical Free Form
Workbook All Rights Reserved
Splines
Splines
Section 1

1

Assume that another designer did some preliminary work. As you

begin your work, numerous splines are already created. The supplied
curves capture the general design intent for four primary sheet bodies
or panels. You want to evaluate several construction methods, using
various approaches for each of the four panels. Supplied data may be
incomplete for the approach you wish to take. From time to time, you
will improve the quality of existing curves.
Your task in this first section is to verify the quality of existing splines and
create new ones as needed.
Functions you will practice include:
D Fit splines
D Evaluate splines
D Edit spline poles
D Smooth
D Combine curve projection
EEDS
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Workbook
1-1
Splines
Step 1 Open mff_panels from the parts directory.
Points for Fit Spline
You will create a grid of

splines needed to construct
the upper face, shown here.
- Save As the part to your home directory. Use your initials in

place of the mff prefix.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
1-2 Mechanical Free Form
Splines
Step 2 Create a fit spline through the row of white points.

- Use degree 5.

1

Step 3 Evaluate your fit spline.
Is the curvature comb smooth, with no inflections?
How many segments does your spline have?
What Tolerance did you use?
- If necessary, delete and recreate your spline to achieve a

smooth result.
Default tolerance 0.0254
20 Segments
Tolerance 1.0
1 Segment
- Save your work.
EEDS
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Workbook
1-3
Splines
Step 4 Compare your fit spline to the existing splines in the part.
- Enable Poles, Combs, and Peaks analysis display for all seven
splines.
Increasing curvature at the

ends, two peaks.
Constant curvature at
the ends, one peak.
The six existing splines have nearly identical pole structure

and curvature combs. Each spline has one peak at the left
end.
You will use the seven splines, and others you have not yet
created, to define a sheet body.
What will happen in the region near your fit spline, if you
extend the sheet using natural extension?
- Save your work.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Splines
Step 5 Shape your fit spline to match the curvature comb profile

of the six adjacent splines.

- Use Deviation Check to assure that you do not exceed
1

1.5mm variance from the input points.
A Length factor of 100 will work nicely.

What Threshold value is appropriate to be sure you do not
exceed 1.5mm variance?
- Drag only the four interior poles of your fit spline to mimic
the curvature comb structure of the provided splines
0.60990282
Move only the interior 4 poles,

indicated by arrows above.
Do not move the end poles.
One peak, here
TIP The supplied splines were made identical in structure by

Shape by Template, a feature of Shape Studio.
Shape by Template will match two or several splines. If

Shape Studio is available in the classroom, Shape by
Template will appear on the Free Form Shape toolbar.
Shape by Template automatically raises the template and

shaped splines to at least degree five, one segment.
Pole count and segmentation are matched immediately.

A slide adjusts target splines gradually, from their existing
curvature comb profile to a comb profile identical with
the template spline.
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Workbook
1-5
Splines
Step 6 Create Fit splines between the end points of all seven
splines.
1
- If you wish to hide the row of points, make layer 51 Invisible.
- Use:
Curve Degree 5
Tolerance 1.0 mm
- Write the fitting Error values in the spaces below.

Record error amounts for
future reference when you
create a curve mesh sheet.
Spline Spline
- Save your work.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Splines
Step 7 Verify the quality of the two splines at the sides of the

lower panel.

You will improve the quality of

1

splines needed to construct
the lowest face, shown here.
Upper
Side
Side
Lower
- Splines for the lowest panel are in layer 55.
- Use analysis display and Information Spline.
What degree and segmentation do the curves have?

Are they planar curves?
There are planes on layer 62. The side splines should lie
precisely on these planes.
How can you assure that the splines lie precisely on the
planes?
Hint: To verify constant XC values and no torsion: set Combs
Options, Projection Plane None, then Output Listing
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Workbook
1-7
Splines
Step 8 Change the two side splines to single segment, degree 5,

and re-shape as required.
1
TIP Before editing, Copy the splines to another layer, and
make that layer Visible Only. Layer 42 is empty.
Change the color, also. This allows you to visually

monitor the results of your edits.
The two splines at the sides of the lowest

panel were supplied to you in this condition.
Edit copies of the splines to single segment degree 5.

Drag poles until the splines visually match the originals,
with combs similar to these.
- Display combs and peaks for the two splines shown above.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Splines
Step 9 Verify that the curves form a good outline for a sheet.

Qualities that are considered defects in our
scenario:

1

The spline has three peaks.
The curvature comb is slightly uneven.
The upper and lower splines

are non-planar.
Do the end points of the upper and lower spline match

precisely with the end points of the side splines?
The side splines are now data you do not want to change.
- If the end points of the upper and lower splines do not

match the corresponding end points on the side splines, edit
the upper and lower splines now. Hint: End points coincide
with end poles. This is an occasion when it is desirable to
move end poles to destination points.
Step 10 Prepare to rebuild the upper spline.
- Disable (turn off) combs and peaks for the upper spline.
- Using Edit Object Display:
D Isolate the upper spline by moving it to a new layer. 41

should be empty.
D Change the color to make it visually distinct from new
splines you are about to create.
- After you move the spline, make 41 the work layer.

Geometry you create there is for construction."
You will later need to select 2 datums in layer 61.
- Make all layers Invisible, and then make layer 61 Selectable.
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Workbook
1-9
Splines
Step 11 Project copy the spline into XY and ZX components.
- Orient your WCS to Absolute Coordinates to provide a

common reference with illustrations, and then project.
NOTE You do NOT want associative copies. You intend to edit

the copies and later combine them to make a new curve.
Project copy this curve Along

Face Normals to the ZX and
XY planes.
To ZX
To XY
Step 12 Simplify and adjust the two projected splines.
NOTE Do not move the end poles as you adjust the splines!
Why is it important to maintain the location of end points?
- Use Smooth to make the curves single segment, degree 5.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Splines
Smooth will alter the shape of the splines.

Drag poles to shape combs similar to the illustration. Use the
original three dimensional spline as a rough guide to position
- 1
the splines as you shape them.
Hint: Orient View, Top for one, Front for the other. Maintain
your view orientation by using Zoom and Pan rather than a
3D positioning device.
NOTE Exact tolerance is not an issue. Use the original spline

only as a visual reference.
XY spline, Before Editing
XY spline, After Editing
ZX spline, Before Editing
ZX spline, After Editing
- Save your work.
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Workbook
1-11
Splines
Step 13 Prepare to combine the two simplified splines.
- Make layer 55 the Work Layer.

1
The original curves for the lowest panel are in layer 55.
Step 14 Combine Curve Projection to create a new upper curve

for the lowest sheet.
- Use Associative output.
- Project Normal to Plane of Curves.
- Make layers 41 and 61 Invisible after the new curve is

created.
What is the degree of the new curve?
How many segments does it have?
What happens if you attempt to edit the new curve?
There is a trade-off between further simplifying the
combined curve and retaining the ability to edit the two
planar segments to update the combined shape.
For example, if you remove parameters from the combined
curve feature, you can Smooth it to one segment, degree 5.
You would give up the ability to modify the 3D shape by
editing the two planar splines used to create it.
- Enable inflection points, poles, and peaks display on the new
curve.
- Save your work.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Splines
In several steps you were asked not to move end points. In another step, you

were asked to move end poles to coincide with adjacent splines.

In the next section you will create several sheets.

1

Two sheets will be curve mesh surfaces using the grids of curves you developed
in this section. In these grids, your roughly horizontal" and roughly vertical"
curves meet at a common point.
You will soon learn that, although it is not essential, results are much more
predicable when corner points of grids match.
Layer 55 should still be the work layer.
Step 15 Display the curves in layer 52.
Step 16 Turn all curve analysis options OFF" for all curves.
- Save your work.
EEDS
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Workbook
1-13
Splines
(This Page Intentionally Left Blank)
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Primary Sheets
Primary Sheets
Section 2
Creating main or primary sheets is your next task. The truck panel
consists of four primary surfaces, built from splines you enhanced to a
smooth shape earlier. The quality of your spline smoothing work,
particularly adjacent to end points, directly affects your ability to
construct and use the primary sheets.

2
You will use three Free Form functions to create primary sheets:

D Through Curve Mesh
D Through Curves
D Swept
You will construct primary sheets in the shaded areas, using the
functions indicated.
Curve Mesh
Swept
Through
Curves
Curve Mesh
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Workbook
2-1
Primary Sheets
Step 1 Open the part ***_panels, where *** is your initials.
Layer
52
Layer 55
TIP Did you miss Session 1?
Part mff_panels_s2 is complete to this point.
If necessary open the part and Save As into your home

directory. Use your initials to replace mff!"
Step 2 Make Layer 81 the Work Layer.
Step 3 Make layer 59 Selectable.

To what layer categories does layer 81 belong?
NOTE Please use the spine curve in layer 59 when a spine is

optional or required, throughout this project.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Primary Sheets
Step 4 Construct a Through Curve Mesh sheet using the curves

in layer 52.
What emphasis will you use, and why?
What Tolerance will you use? Why? Hint: Refer to page 1-6.
Will spine selection appear? Why, or why not?
Hint: Refer to page 4-39 in the Student Manual.
- If spine selection appears, select the Medium Violet

Magenta line in layer 59.

2
Primary 1
Cross 2

Cross 1
Primary 7
What is the U degree? V?

How many patches are there in U? V?
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Workbook
2-3
Primary Sheets
Step 5 Construct a Through Curve Mesh sheet using the curves

in layer 55.
- Use Emphasis Both.
Is Tolerance an issue? Why, or why not?

Will spine selection appear? Why, or why not?
Hint: Information Spline
Output to Information Window Complete. Are
coordinate values for XC all identical?
2 Use the splines as they are.
What would you have had to do to further correct the

primary splines?
When would have been an appropriate moment to get
information on the primary splines, and make corrections?
Primary 1
Cross 1
Primary 2
Cross 2
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Primary Sheets
Step 6 Construct a Through Curves sheet using the curves in

layer 54.
- Verify the quality of the curves before you begin.
- Use Multiple Patch, V degree 5.
7 Sections

2

What is the U degree?

How many patches are there in U? V?
What would be the degree and patch counts in U and V if you
had asked for a single patch surface?
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Workbook
2-5
Primary Sheets
Step 7 Construct a Swept sheet using the curves in layer 53.

What interpolation method will you use? Why?
Does Alignment matter? Why?
Is the Scale method important? Why?
2
Guide 1
Section 1
Guide 2
Section 2
- Make all layers except 81 Invisible.
Step 8 Save your work.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Transition Sheets
Transition Sheets
Section 3
In this section you will create transition sheets between pairs of

primary sheets. You will need to exploit your developed curve creation
talent to control your transition sheet tangencies.
All transitions must be curvature continuous.
The soft blend is set back 100mm from the intersection of sheets
and .
The fillet bridge will extend 150mm into the vertical" sheet and
50mm into the horizontal" sheet.
The fillet-rho will be variable in both lateral extent and rho. Lateral
extent changes from ~150mm at the left (in trimetric orientation) to

half that on the right. Rho is ~ 0.7 at the left and 0.5 at the right.

Free Form and Feature functions you will practice include:
3

S Enlarge Sheet S Soft Blend
S Intersection Curves S Swept
S Free Form Section
You will construct transition sheets in the

shaded areas, using the functions
indicated.
You will need to modify the above design
intent when sheets exhibit problems using Soft
the values specified. Blend
Section
Final proportions not Fillet-
as illustrated. Bridge

Section
Fillet-
The numbers appearing on this illustration Rho
will be used throughout the session to
identify primary sheets.
EEDS
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Workbook
3-1
Transition Sheets
Modeling Strategy
Here is the procedure you will follow to meet the design intent.
D Enlarge all of the primary sheets to:

D intersect each other.
D overbuild beyond the final extent of the panels.
D Create intersection curves or edges at sheet to sheet junctions.
D Using intersection curves or edges as guide strings, create tube or
swept bodies along the intersections of pairs of sheets.
D Intersect the tubular" bodies with adjacent faces to create tangency
control strings for various transition sheets.
D Trim the primary sheets to their final width, leaving ample length
control curves.
At left, original and enlarged sheets with

intersection curves. Tubular bodies will be
used to determine extent of transition
sheets.
Spine
At right, trimmed sheets with intersection

curves extending nicely beyond the
sheets.
Spine
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Transition Sheets

3


directory. Use your initials to replace mff!
- Make 82 the Work Layer.
- Make layer 62 Selectable.
NOTE From time to time this text will recommend layer settings.
These recommendations are intended to help you to
organize your data. They follow the standard discussed in
our course overview.
EEDS
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Workbook
3-3
Transition Sheets
Step 2 Enlarge the uppermost sheet.

Enlarge this sheet until it
intersects the full width of ...

... this sheet.
- Orient the view to Top.
- Enlarge sheet to the proportions indicated.
3

V-Min
U
50 mm
V
V-Max
~100 mm

U-Min
Extend U-Min.
almost to this edge.
Datum Datum

Plane Plane
Before
Enlarge
After
Enlarge
You will soon create an intersection curve between the two

sheets identified in the first illustration.
As you create this and other curves, it is important that all
sheets extend about 100 mm beyond the two datum planes.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Transition Sheets
Step 3 Enlarge the remaining sheets.
- Extend all sheets about 100 mm beyond the datums.
- Sheet must be slightly wider along XC than sheet .
Exact values are not necessary.

Sheet is slightly wider than

3

sheet .
All sheets ~100 mm beyond the

datums, both sides
- After all sheets are enlarged, make layers 62 and 81

Invisible.
Why did we enlarge the sheets?
EEDS
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Workbook
3-5
Transition Sheets
Step 4 Create intersection curves.
- Set the modeling tolerance to 0.01.

Hint: Preferences Modeling Distance Tolerance.
TIP Narrowing the modeling tolerance to create curves that

are approximated from sheets will minimize sheet to
sheet deviations later, when you use these curves to build
transition sheets.

Layer 43

Layer 44
- Use a layer scheme.
A layer scheme will make it easy to work with the curves

individually.
Intersection Curve Layer Scheme:
Sheets and . . . . . 43
Sheets and . . . . . 44
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Transition Sheets
Step 5 Create a Single Segment Tube through the intersection

between sheets and .

3

Settings:
Outer Diameter . . . . . . 200
Inner Diameter . . . . . . 0.0
Single Segment
Why do we use Single Segment?
Step 6 Intersect the tube with sheets and .

- Change the Work Layer to 43.
Layer 43 contains the intersection between sheets and .
- Create associative intersection curves between the
cylindrical" face of the tube and sheet .
- Create a second associative intersection with sheet .
NOTE It is very likely that more than one curve will result from
each intersection feature. You will need to remember this
later. You will have to use the Curve mask button as you
select strings on faces to control transition surfaces.
EEDS
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Workbook
3-7
Transition Sheets
Step 7 Trim sheet with sheet .
- Use Feature Operation Trim.
Later in the course you will learn Free Form trim methods.
Target
body

Trim
Direction
Trim
body

3
Sheet will
be trimmed to
this position
Why was it important, earlier, to make sure sheet 2 was

slightly longer along the X-axis than sheet 3?
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Transition Sheets
Step 8 Create a Single Segment Tube along the trimmed edge of

sheet .
- Make layers 15 and 43 Invisible.

Settings:
Outer Diameter . . . . . . 300
Inner Diameter . . . . . . 100
Single Segment

This edge is the
guide string

3

Step 9 Intersect the Outer Diameter of the tube with sheet and
the Inner Diameter with sheet .
- Create an associative intersection curve feature between the

Outer Diameter of the tube and sheet .
- Create an associative intersection curve feature between the

Inner Diameter of the tube and sheet .
EEDS
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Workbook
3-9
Transition Sheets
Step 10 Create a datum through the end point of the intersection

curve between sheets and .
- Make layers 14 and 45 Invisible.
- Create a datum plane Through Curve, Through Point at the

end point of the intersection curve, as illustrated:
Normal Direction
This curve as first object.
Through Curve constraint will appear.

3

This curve again, at this end, as second object.
Through Point constraint will appear.
The direction vector can be toggled, if necessary, via the

button Cycle Plane Normal Dir.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Transition Sheets
Step 11 Create a sketched circle at the end point of the

intersection curve.
You will use the new datum you just created to hold a sketch.
You need a horizontal reference for the sketch. There is a
suitable datum plane in XC-YC in layer 61.
- Make Layer 61 Selectable.
- Create a new sketch, using the new datum plane as the

attachment face, and the XC-YC datum as a horizontal
reference.
To reduce display clutter, make layer 61 Invisible as soon as

the sketch is created.
300 mm
Arc Center and Curve

Endpoint are coincident
EEDS
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Workbook
3-11
Transition Sheets
The Design Intent is to vary the radius" or lateral extent of the

transition sheet linearly from ~150mm at the sketch location to
~75mm at the opposite end.
Radius 150 to radius 75.
Other parameters are left to you to determine.
You will create the swept body in Step 12. Before you
proceed, plan your modeling strategy.
How will you control the size of the swept feature that you
create from the circle and intersection curve?
3
Hint: Scaling Method Blending Function is probably the best
to use in this case. If the start scale factor is 1.0, what would
be the ending scale factor to reduce a dimension from 150 to
75?
Can you think of other methods?
What advantages and disadvantages apply to each method?
Discuss this with your instructor later.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Transition Sheets
Step 12 Create a swept body using the sketched circle and the
intersection curve.
- Create the body.

Section
String

3

Guide String
Step 13 Intersect the swept body with sheets and .
- Make layer 21 Invisible.
- Intersect the newly swept body with sheets and .
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Workbook
3-13
Transition Sheets
Step 14 Trim the sheets to the final width of the panel.
- Make layers 43, 44, 45, 59 and 62 Selectable.
It should be apparent that the tubes and swept body do not necessarily
intersect the primary sheets across their entire width.
Your modeling strategy of overbuilding primary sheets to ensure that

tangency curves are long enough is complete. You made the curve
layers visible so that you can visually check your curve lengths after you
trim the primary sheets between the two datums in layer 62.
Why is the length of these curves important?
If you need extra curve length, what will you do?

Hint: All parameters were retained.
It is a good practice to provide datums to control important objects

and dimensions. The datum planes in layer 62 were provided for
exactly this reason.
Using Feature Operation Trim... trim all of the primary
-
3 sheets in layer 82 to the two datums in layer 62.
This is a top view of the trimmed primary sheets,

showing tangency control curves extending past
the trimmed edges of the sheets.
Datum Datum
Plane Plane
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Transition Sheets
Step 15 Create a soft blend between sheets and .
- Restore the modeling tolerance to 0.0254, the default.

Hint: Preferences Modeling Distance Tolerance.
- If you want to simplify your display, Blank all unnecessary

curves, such as guide curves and extra curves from multiple
intersections.
- Create a curvature continuous soft blend between faces

and , illustrated below:
Curve on face 1

3

Curve on face 2
Spine
The picture above shows the soft blend, created using the
Trim & Attach All option, and the spine curve in layer 59.
It also shows the control curves left visible after unnecessary
curves were blanked.
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Workbook
3-15
Transition Sheets
Step 16 Create a Section fillet-bridge between sheets and .

- Remember to match curvatures.

Do you get an error message? Why?
Hint: Refer to the Note on page 3-7.
Spine
Does the sheet look good" in a shaded view?

- Find the tube in the feature list. It will appear as a CABLE.
Modify:
Outside Diameter . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Inside Diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
- Edit the SECTION_SURF feature. Hint: Drag.

Modify:
Bridge Depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Later, you will use free form trim in this area.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Transition Sheets
Step 17 Create a Section fillet-rho between sheets and .
- Create a Section, fillet-rho sheet:
D Use Quintic Section Type and Fitting Type.

Hint: Make these option settings in the section dialog
before you choose the fillet-rho icon.
D Use linear rho variation. Hint: General.
D Rho 0.7 at the end where you pick the spine, shown
below.
D Rho 0.5 at the other end.

3

0.7 rho

Select
Spine on
this end 0.5 rho
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Workbook
3-17
Transition Sheets
- Make All layers Invisible except make layer 82 Selectable.

The Work Layer is still 83.
You will trim the sheets later.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
N-Sided Sheets
N-Sided Sheets
Section 4
In this section you will create shaped control buttons on a corporate

jet sidewall panel.
D Planar curves are provided.

D Project the curves to the sidewall panel surface.
D Create and shape four buttons using the N-Sided Surface
feature with Shape Control.
Step 1 Open the part mff_n-sided_3 and start the Modeling

application.

4

Step 2 Make Layer 41 Selectable to see a planar representation
of the buttons.
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Workbook
4-1
N-Sided Sheets
Project outer curve

Project curve
to this surface
Step 3 Project the outer curve along the negative Z-axis to the
surface of the sidewall panel.
Projected curve
4
Step 4 Create an N-Sided Surface on the sidewall panel using
the projected curve.
Dimple the N-Sided surface so that it has a slight protrusion
upward. To do this, create a Trimmed Single Sheet type of
N-Sided, but instead of choosing the face(s) for boundary
constraint, simply choose OK to display the Shape Control
dialog. Shape the surface so that it has a slight outward
protrusion from the sidewall surface.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
N-Sided Sheets
NOTE Notice how the N-Sided operation automatically trims

the sidewall panel surface for insertion of the N-Sided
surface.
Step 5 Project the two larger inner curves along the negative
Z-axis to the newly created N-Sided surface.
Project
these
curves
Step 6 Use the Trimmed Sheet feature to trim the N-Sided

surface with the newly projected inner curves. This will
create two holes in the N-Sided surface.
4

Step 7 Create another N-Sided surface, this time using one of
the newly projected inner curves.
Again, create the N-Sided surface using the Trimmed Single
Sheet type and choose OK instead of selecting a face for
boundary constraint. This will display the Shape Control dialog.
Shape the button surface so that it has a slight outward
protrusion from the original N-Sided surface.
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N-Sided Sheets
Step 8 Use the other projected inner curve to create another

N-Sided surface, this one with a slight protrusion
inward.
Create the N-Sided surface using the type Trimmed Single
Sheet again. With the Shape Control dialog, shape the second
button surface so that it has a slight inward protrusion.
Slight outward
protrusion
Slight inward
protrusion
Step 9 From the planar representation of the curves, project

each of the small innermost curves to the corresponding
button surface.
Project the curves along the negative Z-axis. These small
curves will become fine-tune" buttons on each of the larger
two buttons. They will protrude opposite of the larger button
protrusions.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
N-Sided Sheets
Step 10 Use the Trimmed Sheet feature to trim the two N-Sided
button surfaces with the respective projected innermost
curves.

4
Step 11 Use the newly projected curves to create two N-Sided
surfaces to represent the fine-tune" buttons.

Create the small N-Sided surfaces using the type Trimmed
Single Sheet. With the Shape Control dialog, shape the small
button on the outwardly protruding larger button to protrude
inward. Conversely, shape the small button on the inwardly
protruding larger button to protrude outward.
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N-Sided Sheets
This button should

protrude inward
This button
should protrude
outward
Step 12 Move the curves on the sidewall armrest to an empty
layer.
4
Step 13 Using the Face Blend feature, blend all the button surface
edges with a 1 mm radius.
Hint: For each blend, start with the smaller surface as the first face
set.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
N-Sided Sheets
We will now add a bezel around the buttons to set it off from the interior
sidewall panel.
Step 14 Project a larger outer offset curve to the surface.
- Make Layer 42 Selectable.
Project the outermost

curve to the sidewall
surface

4

- Project the outermost offset curve to the surface of the
sidewall panel. Project along the negative Z-axis.
- Create an extruded sheet from the projected curve. We will

use this extruded sheet to trim the sidewall panel around the
buttons. Extrude from a Start=-5 mm to End=5 mm.
NOTE It is important to first choose Preferences"Modeling and

change Body Type from Solid to Sheet. Why?
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N-Sided Sheets
- Use the Trim Body feature to trim the surface of the sidewall
panel to the extruded surface. Make sure the direction vector
is pointing in the proper direction.
Why use Trim Body instead of Trimmed Sheet?
- Move the extruded surface and projected curve to an unused

layer.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
N-Sided Sheets
- Leave Layer 51 as the Work Layer, make Layer 55 selectable

and all other layers invisible.
Layer 55 contains a small spline that we will use to sweep a solid

bezel between the buttons and the sidewall panel.
- Using the Swept feature, sweep the small spline shown below
around the oval guide curve to create the bezel surface.
Sweep this curve

(Section string)
Guide string
- After creating the Swept bezel feature, make layer 55

invisible.
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N-Sided Sheets
Step 15 Optionally, save-as your work, using your initials as part

of the file name.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
N-Sided Sheets
In this section you will create transitions for a household appliance.
The part has some small step" faces that resulted from an earlier
modeling approach the produced a major shape very efficiently.
Modeling Strategy:
D Use transitions to create a pleasing appearance and

simultaneously remove unwanted geometry.
D Planar styled curves are provided.
D Extrude styled curves into sheets that intersect the faces to be
blended."
D Intersect sheets to define the limits of transitions.
D Use familiar functions in a new way to create a suitable and fully
associative 3D spine curve for a soft blend.
D Create a soft blend in area .
D Create a section fillet-bridge in area .
D Complete a closed boundary on the section sheet, sew, and
patch the resulting sheet to the solid body.
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N-Sided Sheets
Step 1 Open the part mff_transition_prj_1 and start the

Modeling application.
- Examine the part.
Notice the planar faces of the base section that protrude

beyond the tubular shape of the handle.
Step 2 Extrude planar styled curves that define transition limits.
- Make layers 21 and 22 Selectable.
- Verify that 81 is the Work Layer.
- Extrude the splines along the default direction:

Start Distance . . . . -50
End Distance . . . . 50
TIP The styled splines were added to two sketches.
You probably noticed that this makes selection easier. It

would be even faster if all four, or more, splines were
added to one sketch.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
N-Sided Sheets
Step 3 Intersect sheets to create limit curves on primary faces.

- Make layers 21 and 22 Invisible, and make 41 the Work
Layer.
The least number of features needed to intersect the new
sheets with the body is four. The pictures show how you can
accomplish this quickly by judicious use of Reuse First Set."
First Set (one face)

Second Set First Feature
Second Set Second Feature
First Set (5 faces)

Second Set Third Feature
Second Set Fourth Feature
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N-Sided Sheets
Step 4 Create a spine curve for a soft blend.

- Make layer 81 Invisible, and make 82 the Work Layer.
- Create a Ruled sheet between two strings at the back of the

handle, as shown above.
Which alignment option is better, Parameter, or Arclength?
D The two strings have different numbers of curves.
D Curves in one string are considerably different in length.
- Enlarge the ruled surface you just created.
- Choose an enlarge parameter that will create an edge at
exactly 50% of the ruled width in the direction shown below:
EEDS Unigraphics NX
N-Sided Sheets
Step 5 Create a soft blend as the first transition sheet.
- Make layer 82 Invisible, and make 1 the Work Layer.
First Set (1 face)

Second Set (5 faces total, 3 shown)
String on First Set (1 curve)
String on Second Set (5 curves)
Spine String (1 edge)
- Create a Soft Blend using the geometry shown above.

Hint: Use Reverse Normal as needed.

4
- Make the Soft Blend Match Curvature.

- Use a Rho of 0.4.
The exact Rho is not critical. You may adjust it later to suit
your taste.
- Make layer 83 Invisible, and layer 84 the Work Layer.
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N-Sided Sheets
Step 6 Create a Section Fillet-Bridge as the second transition

sheet.
- Use Match Curvatures.
First Set (1 face)

String on First Set (1 curve)
Second Set (5 faces total, 3 shown)
String on Second Set (1 curve feature)
No Spine
- If it is necessary to correct self-intersection (shown below),

use Reverse Direction:
- Make the Bridge Depth approximately 40.0.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
N-Sided Sheets
Step 7 Create a Ruled sheet to close the fillet-bridge sheet.
- Make layers 1 and 41 Invisible. Continue with layer 84 as the

Work Layer.
- Create a ruled sheet between the two edges shown below:
Step 8 Sew and Patch the second transition sheet.
- Sew the Ruled sheet to the fillet-bridge.
- Use patch body to apply the sewn sheet to the body. Practice
choosing workable settings on your own.
- Make all layers except 1 Invisible when you finish.
Step 9 Optionally, use any method to evaluate your work.
Step 10 Optionally, save your work.
This concludes the session.
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N-Sided Sheets
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Face Analysis
Face Analysis
Section 5
In this section you will evaluate your primary and transition sheets.
One of the sheets has an unsightly bulge. Early in the design process
an engineer adjusted the sheet to make room for an interior part.
A single analysis method is seldom sufficient to reveal everything you

want to know about a sheet. You will use several methods, and judge
for yourself which is most relevant.
Later, we will pretend that you discuss the problem sheet in a design review.
Aesthetics will be given priority. You will be authorized to adjust the sheet. The
engineer will have to find another way to package his components!
Luckily, your part is parametric. The adjustment will be easy.
Functions you will use include:

D Analysis Face Reflections
D Analysis Face Radius
D Analysis Section...
D Information B-Surface...
Analysis will reveal a bulge in this area.

5

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Face Analysis

EEDS Unigraphics NX
Face Analysis
Step 2 Perform Reflections Analysis.
- Experiment with various reflection methods.
- With only the three faces shown below selected for

Reflection analysis, use Black Lines in Front orientation.

Horizontal bands in
sheet clearly have a
different character from
the other vertical"
sheet , and from the
adjacent transition
sheet .
There is no single type of analysis that is universally superior.

Reflections might be difficult to interpret to reveal the
aesthetic problem with the sheet in this part.

5

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5-3
Face Analysis
Step 3 Perform Radius Analysis.
- Retain the same selection, the three faces from the previous
step.
- Change the face analysis to Radius, Gaussian.
TIP Through any point, we let "r" and "R" denote the
Minimum and Maximum radii of curvature respectively.
The Gaussian radius of curvature at that point is
rRrR. The sign of r and R is dependent on the
direction of the face normal vector N, thus if the
Gaussian radius is negative, the surface is saddle
shaped."
Sheet has a very

slight saddle shape at
the outer edges. This is
unexpected, as the
parent curves are all
convex.
- Try the other radius analysis types.
What Radius Type, other than Gaussian, also clearly shows

distortion in the same area?
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Face Analysis
Step 4 Perform Section Analysis, Section Type V.
NOTE Section Analysis is available with a Shape Studio license.
- Analyze sheet , as shown below, using section type V.
- Use the curvature comb options.

Hint: Expand the dialog using the More Options icon.
The view below is in Top orientation.

5
Are there any reversals of curvature in the extended sheet?
Are you sure? Use Inflections. Rotate the view.

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Face Analysis
Step 5 Get B-Surface Information.

Analysis is not complete until we take a look at patch counts,
degree, and continuity.
- Enable Output to Listing Window.
- Select the same sheet, labelled below.
Display fonts: C0 - dotted; C1 - dashed; C2 - solid

--------------------------------------
Information on b-surface # 1
Degree in u 3
Degree in v 3
Rational status Polynomial
Number poles in u 14
Number poles in v 9
Number C0 seams u 0
Number C1 seams u 0
Number C2 seams u 10
Number C0 seams v 0
Number C1 seams v 0
Number C2 seams v 5
Number patches in u 11
Number patches in v 6
You will replace a guide string to repair" the bad" face in

the next session.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Face Analysis
Step 6 Check other sheets for potential problems.

How does the fillet-rho section look?
Can you detect a problem with regular shaded display?
You will improve this sheet in the next session.
Step 7 Close the part without saving.

5

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Face Analysis
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Working with Sheets
Working with Sheets

Section 6

6

You will replace a rail on a primary sheet you evaluated in the last
section.
Primary and transition sheets must be trimmed to the same planes to

prepare for eventual sewing and thickening.
You will plan a strategy to make an associative cutout for the wheel.

D Remove String
D Add String
D Evaluation functions
D Trimmed Sheet
D Offset Surface
D Offset Curve
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Working with Sheets
TIP Did you miss Session 3 or 4? No changes were made in

session 4.

EEDS Unigraphics NX
Working with Sheets
Step 2 Replace the lower rail of the primary panel that has the

bulge."

- Make Layers 57 and 81 Selectable.
6

Layer 57 contains a replacement guide curve for the swept
sheet in layer 81.
- Replace the lower guide curve on the swept sheet with the
spline in layer 57.
Replace the lower guide

on this swept sheet...
... with this spline. (Layer 57)
What happens to the adjacent primary sheet, enlarged

sheets, and adjacent transition sheet when the part updates?
- Make Layers 57 and 81 Invisible.
- Evaluate the sheets again.
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Working with Sheets
Step 3 Use Trimmed Sheet to trim primary panels to transition

sheets.
- Trim primary sheets , , and to the shaded transition

sheets:
Step 4 Use Analysis " Deviation " Edge to Edge to check the
trimmed transition sheets against the adjacent primary
sheets.
If the distance tolerance is exceeded anywhere, the sheets
will later fail to sew together.
If the angle tolerance is exceeded, the model can be
constructed, but the appearance might not be acceptable to a
stylist.
Do you anticipate problems?
There are many ways to make sheets match; rebuilding and
smoothing curves, changing tolerances, or possibly resorting
to non-parametric edge matching.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Working with Sheets
Step 5 Edit the first SECTION_SURF tolerance from 0.0254

(default) to 0.00254 to eliminate the deviation problem.

TIP Mask for feature selection, and pick it on the screen. If

6

the geometry has more than one feature (it does) use
Quick Pick to get the correct feature.
The MB3 menu (only when the cursor is over the feature)
will have Edit Parameters...
What is the edge deviation now?
Step 6 Repair the Section fillet-rho sheet.

What are the U and V degrees of the sheet?
Do the Poles line up evenly? Hint: Information " B-Surface
- Edit the Fitting Type (V-Direction) to Cubic.
What are the U and V degrees of the sheet now?
Does the sheet look better? Why? Or why not?
Did the edge to edge deviation improve?
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Working with Sheets
An automotive designer might take the time to smooth the 3

intersection curves used to develop this face:
D The sheet to sheet intersection used to sweep the tube"

in layer 13.
D The 2 intersections used to provide tangency control for
the section sheet.
Additionally, a designer with access to Shape Studio would
probably use a sheet called Styled Blend for most or all
transition sheets in this project.
Step 7 Use Trim Body to trim transition sheets.
- Layer 62 contains trim datums.
Trim these sheets ...
... to these datums.
- Make layer 62 Invisible when trim body is complete.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Working with Sheets
Modeling Strategy

The wheel opening has a thickened" lip around the cut line.

6

The specification calls for the section to be offset 10mm from the
main panel, and 20mm wide. It was suggested to transition to the
main panel over a further 20mm distance.
Here is the procedure you will follow to meet the design intent.
D Offset the primary sheet by 10mm, the specified lip thickness.
D A spline defines the wheel opening, at position in the section view.
Offset this spline 20mm, the width of the lip, to position .
D Continue the offset curve operation by offsetting the first result a
further 20mm, the suggested transition distance, to position .
D Trim the offset sheet to lie between the wheel opening spline and its
first offset curve. This defines the lip.
D Trim the main panel to the second offset curve, to prepare a second
edge for the transition sheet.
D Create a transition sheet to join the trimmed offset lip with the
trimmed primary sheet.
lip

10 mm offset

transition
20 mm 20 mm

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Working with Sheets
TIP Did you miss the first part of session 5?
Part mff_panels_m5 is complete to this point.

Step 8 Offset the primary panel adjacent to the wheel opening.

- Continue to work in layer 83.
- Create an Offset Surface from the shaded sheet (below)

10mm in the direction shown.
The offset distance in the illustration is exaggerated for

clarity.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Working with Sheets
Step 9 Offset the spline that defines the wheel opening.


6
- Create a pair of associative offset curves at 20mm spacing on
the convex side of the wheel opening spline.
Offset direction is opposite to this vector. The

vector is shown as it appears upon selection.
Make two associative offsets, 20 mm each.
Original wheel opening spline
First Offset
Second Offset
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Working with Sheets
Step 10 Use Trimmed Sheet to trim the sheets adjacent to the

wheel opening.
6
- Use Vector Constructor, not the default method for the
Projection Along vector. Why?
Which vector direction will you choose? Why?
Main Panel
This curve trims

the main panel
Offset lip
These curves trim the lip
We could have extruded sheets and created intersection

curves to use as trim objects. In this case, this further
construction was not necessary. Our recommended practice
is to keep the model as simple as possible.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Working with Sheets
Step 11 Create a fillet bridge to join the main panel and offset lip

at the wheel opening.

- Make 83 the Work Layer, and layer 58 Invisible.
6

- Make the fillet-bridge curvature continuous.
- Do not choose a spine curve.
- Evaluate the sheets at the opening.

Transition at

40 mm width

Lip

Step 12 For a smoother look, increase the width of the
fillet-bridge.
- Edit the second offset curve. Double the offset distance to

40mm.
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6-11
Working with Sheets
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Additional Working with Sheets Projects

Section 7
In this section you will use a part containing the circular saw handle
surfaces you created in an earlier activity.
You will:
D Compare the curve mesh surfaces to the manufacturer's styling

7
D
curves.
Analyze and identify the problem areas.

D Add cross strings to the surfaces to better match the styling
curves.
Step 1 Open the part mff_add_strings and start the Modeling

application.
Step 2 Investigate the existing surfaces in relation to the

manufacturer's styling curves.
- Make Layers 43 and 44 Selectable.
The manufacturer has provided the styling curves that the saw
handle surfaces should follow.
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Your company requires you to keep the surfaces as simple as

possible. To use of all the manufacturer's styling curves would
result in very complex surfaces.
Check the existing surfaces to see how well they coincide with
the manufacturer's curves.
Hint: Use visual inspection methods and the Analysis"Deviation

tool.
- Inspection of the curves and surfaces reveals that the center
7
surface does not follow the provided styling curves in the
area of high curvature (circled below).
EEDS Unigraphics NX
- Change the view to a Trimetric orientation. From this

perspective, you can see that the surface does not match the
curves in other areas (see below).
You will add strings to the two targeted surfaces so that they
more closely match the manufacturer's styling curves.
Step 3 Add a string to the center surface.
- Edit the feature parameters of the center curve mesh surface

to add the string shown below.
NOTE Don't forget that the added string is made up of multiple

curves. Make sure to select all curves that make up the
string.
Select the string labeled Cross #1 and After First String,

then select the new cross string to be added.
Hint: It may be easier to select the curves by choosing the

Curve filter in the Edit Parameters dialog.
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Cross #1
7
Add this
string
- After adding the string to the curve mesh surface, rotate the
model to visually inspect the surface. Does it better match
the styling curves? Use the Analysis"Deviation tool.
Step 4 Add a string to the larger surface.
- Edit the feature parameters of the larger curve mesh surface

to add the string shown on the next page.
NOTE Again make sure to select all curves that make up the
string.
EEDS Unigraphics NX

Cross #1

7
Add this
string

- After adding the string to the curve mesh surface, rotate the
model to visually inspect the surface. Orient the view to
Trimetric. Does the surface better match the styling curves?
In the area where the string was added, the surface now
matches the styling curves more closely; however, the surface is
still pulled away from the curves at the other end of the surface.
You will add three additional cross curves to the curve mesh to
better match the surface to the styling curves.
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Step 5 Add three additional cross strings to the surface.
- Edit the feature parameters of the newly edited curve mesh

surface to add the three additional strings shown below.
Each string must be added separately!

During each operation, the string after which the new string
will be added must be selected as the String to be Added
After. Keep an eye on the cue line!
7
NOTE When adding the string on the far right, select the
existing cross string to its left as the String to be Added

After.
Existing Add this

cross string
string
Cross #2
Add this string

Add this string
- After adding the additional strings, rotate the model to

visually inspect the surface. Orient the view to Trimetric.
Does the surface match the styling curves?
- Use the AnalysisDeviation tool to check the distance

between the edited surfaces and the styling curves. The
surface is now much closer to the manufacturer's styling
curves.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
In this session, you will:
D Create a sheet representing half of a free form body.

D Mirror the sheet.
D Analyze deviation between the sheet and its mirror.
D Take appropriate corrective actions.

Step 1 Open the part mff_mesh_4 and start the Modeling

application.
7

The part is the same as one you worked with earlier.
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Step 2 Create a Through Curve Mesh feature.
- Selection points and geometry are illustrated below:
Primary String 1 (sketch)

Cross 1 (mask curves! 4 curves)
Cross 2 (1 curve)
Cross 3 (mask curves! 4 curves)
NO Spine
Be careful to align each primary string consistently!
- Accept the default parameter options.
- Choose Create as the Boolean option.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Step 3 Mirror the sheet body.
- Make layer 61 Selectable, and layers 21 to 41 Invisible.
- Create an instance mirror body of the through curve mesh

sheet in layer 82, using the datum plane in layer 61.
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Step 4 Analyze deviation between the original sheet and its

mirror image.
- Use Analysis " Deviation " Edge to Edge.
- Select the two locations indicated above.
What is the maximum angle deviation?

The primary curve strings are all perpendicular to the datum
plane where they are in contact; however, you can see that the
angle that the curves make with the plane is not propagated
along the sheet edges.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Step 5 Add tangency constraints to the first and last cross

strings of the curve mesh.
Cross 1 (4 faces)
Cross 3 (4 faces)
Step 6 Analyze the deviation once again.
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In this activity you will work with imported surfaces.
D Sew the supplied sheets

D Diagnose problems
D Repair or replace faulty data
D Sew to create a solid body
Step 1 Open the part mff_imported and start the Modeling
7
application.
Step 2 Attempt to Sew the surfaces together to create a solid.
- Select the large surface as the target sheet to sew and the
remaining surfaces as the tool sheets.
NOTE Make sure to watch the Status Line.
If the Sew operation is completely successful, the status line will

report that a Solid Body was created.
If the operation was not completely successful, the status line
will report that a Sheet Body was created. The system will
highlight the boundaries of the sheet it created.
Which type of body was created?
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Step 3 Use Examine Geometry to identify the problem area.
- Use the Examine Geometry feature with all options toggled

on.
- The Information listing window identifies that there are

inconsistencies.
You need to figure out where the self-intersection occurs.

- Use the Highlight Results dialog to find any Consistency,

Sheet Boundary, or Self Intersection problems.
7
- The problem surface, where self-intersection occurs, will be
highlighted on the graphics screen and the approximate area

of interest is marked with an asterisk.
Step 4 Investigate the problem surface using

Information"B-Surface.
- Accept the default options.
Zooming on the specific area where the self-intersection occurs

sheds light on the problem.
In this area there are three rows of poles converging on each
other. This is an example of a surface that is not repairable.
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Step 5 Using the Model Navigator, Delete the Sew feature.
Step 6 Delete the problem surface.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Step 7 Using the Curve Mesh feature, create another surface to

replace the deleted surface.
- Use the Primary strings and Cross strings as shown below.
NOTE Use the Cross string #1 as the Spine Curve. This will
provide a more desirable pole structure.
Primary #2

7

Cross #1
Cross #2
Primary #1
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- After creating the new curve mesh, analyze the surface using
InformationB-Surface. By inspection of the pole
structure, does the new surface looks smoother in the
corner?
EEDS Unigraphics NX

7

Step 8 Now that the corner surface has been rebuilt, the larger
top surface must be re-trimmed around the opening.
- Use Edit Free Form Feature"Boundary"Remove Hole to

remove the hole cutout from the large top surface.
Indicate hole
to remove
Target
surface
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Step 9 Re-trim the large top surface to the new hole edge.
- Use the Trimmed Sheet feature. Select the large top surface
as the target sheet and the hole edges shown below as the
trimming objects.
Target sheet
Trimming
objects
EEDS Unigraphics NX

7

Step 10 Sew the new surfaces into a solid body.
NOTE Watch the Status Line to make sure a Solid Body is

created.
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EEDS Unigraphics NX
Sheets and Solids
Sheets and Solids

Section 8
You will mirror the sheets you have created thus far, and create a
smooth bridge across the vehicle center plane.
You will use Sheet to Solid Assistant to create a solid body.
You will practice various techniques by adding a mounting bracket

inside the sculptured sheet metal.
D Mirror Feature
D Sheet to Solid Assistant

D Sew Sheets

D
D
Thicken Sheet
Extract Face

8

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Sheets and Solids

Step 2 Sew the existing sheets.
TIP Sew will quickly identify problems with sheets; this gives
you an opportunity to repair them.
Sewing reduces the number selections in the next step,

the mirror operation, from 7 to 1.
It is easier to manage a single mirrored body.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Sheets and Solids
Step 3 Mirror the faces.
- Make layer 63 Selectable.
- Use Insert " Feature Operation " Instance " Mirror Body.
Step 4 Construct a curvature continuous Bridge sheet between

the two sheets shown above, and .
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Sheets and Solids
Step 5 Use Sheet to Solid Assistant on all currently visible sheets

to create a 1.0mm thick solid body in layer 1.
- Layer 1 will be the Work Layer. Layers 82 and 83 should be

the only other visible layers.
- You will have to change the Sew Tolerance to .0254 in the

Sheet to Solid Assistant.
- Make certain that the offset value corresponds to the vector

indicator. The existing sheets define the outer skin of the
vehicle.
The offset direction will vary, depending upon:

D what sheet you select as the target.
or
D where you selected faces as you created the bridge.
If the direction vector

8 points outward, use a
negative offset.
If the direction vector

points inward, use a
positive offset.
- Perform reflection analysis on the completed body.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Sheets and Solids
Step 6 Display an existing sketch in layer 22.
This sketch could be WAVE linked from another part.
The sketch represents two extents of a required support bracket.
The remaining dimensional requirements of the bracket are:

D Must extend 25mm from the inner skin of the vehicle at a 90
angle to the sheet metal.
D Match the contour of the inner sheet metal.
D Bracket thickness 3mm.
D Inside radius 2mm at the bend.
- Make layer 22 Selectable, 82 and 83 Invisible.
- Zoom in on the area shown in the gray circle below.
25 mm
3 mm thick
R. 2 mm inside
EEDS
All Rights Reserved
Workbook
8-5
Sheets and Solids
Step 7 Extract associative copies of the interior two faces

adjacent to the sketch. and .
- Make 84 the Work Layer.
- Use Same Type surfaces.
- Make layer 1 Invisible after the two sheets are created.

8

Be sure to copy the inner

faces, and not the exterior
faces.

What surface type is created?
Step 8 Trim the extracted sheets to the sketch, projected in the

YC direction.
- Make layer 22 Invisible when trims are complete.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Sheets and Solids
Step 9 Create a 25mm wide flange at 90 to the sheets.
- Use a Law Extension.
What constant value will you use for the angle law? Why?
How many faces does your sheet have? Why?
25 mm

Is there an edge here?
Why or why not?
Step 10 Sew the two trimmed sheets and the extension.
EEDS
All Rights Reserved
Workbook
8-7
Sheets and Solids
Step 11 Create an Edge Blend along the 90 bend of the bracket.
TIP Edge Blend is not a Free Form Feature; however, it

works perfectly well on sheets that are sewn into one
sheet body!
TIP With Add Tangent Edges, you need to select only one
edge.
What radius will you use? Why?

Hint: The requirement is 2mm inside radius. The bracket
will be 3mm thick.
EEDS Unigraphics NX
Sheets and Solids
Step 12 Thicken the bracket.
- Use thickness 3mm.
Be sure that the offset is in the inward direction.
Step 13 Mirror the body through the vehicle center datum.
- The datum is in layer 63.
EEDS
All Rights Reserved
Workbook
8-9
Sheets and Solids
Step 14 Examine the solid bodies.
- Make Layer 1 the Work Layer, 2 Selectable, and all others

Invisible.
- Fit the view.
EEDS Unigraphics NX

MFF mt10035 NX W

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UNIGRAPHICS

MECHANICAL FREE FORM

E2002 Electronic Data Systems Corporation. All rights reserved.

Restricted Rights Legend

Warranties and Liabilities

EDS, the EDS logo, UNIGRAPHICS SOLUTIONSR, UNIGRAPHICSR, GRIPR, PARASOLIDR,

Version 15.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . February 1999

Truck Body Panels - Variations in Methodology

Data was translated into Unigraphics. To conserve classroom time, much

In this class, your objective is to employ a variety of Unigraphics Free Form

D No reversal of curvature in major sheets.

Here is an illustration of the panels that you will model:

Assume that another designer did some preliminary work. As you

Functions you will practice include:

Step 1 Open mff_panels from the parts directory.

Points for Fit Spline

You will create a grid of

- Save As the part to your home directory. Use your initials in

Step 2 Create a fit spline through the row of white points.

- If necessary, delete and recreate your spline to achieve a

Default tolerance 0.0254

- Save your work.

Increasing curvature at the

The six existing splines have nearly identical pole structure

- Save your work.

A Length factor of 100 will work nicely.

Move only the interior 4 poles,

One peak, here

TIP The supplied splines were made identical in structure by

Shape by Template will match two or several splines. If

Shape by Template automatically raises the template and

Pole count and segmentation are matched immediately.

- Write the fitting Error values in the spaces below.

- Save your work.

- Splines for the lowest panel are in layer 55.

- Use analysis display and Information Spline.

What degree and segmentation do the curves have?

Step 8 Change the two side splines to single segment, degree 5,

Change the color, also. This allows you to visually

The two splines at the sides of the lowest

Edit copies of the splines to single segment degree 5.

The upper and lower splines

Do the end points of the upper and lower spline match

- If the end points of the upper and lower splines do not

Step 10 Prepare to rebuild the upper spline.

- Using Edit Object Display:

D Isolate the upper spline by moving it to a new layer. 41

- After you move the spline, make 41 the work layer.

You will later need to select 2 datums in layer 61.

- Make all layers Invisible, and then make layer 61 Selectable.

Step 11 Project copy the spline into XY and ZX components.

- Orient your WCS to Absolute Coordinates to provide a

NOTE You do NOT want associative copies. You intend to edit

Project copy this curve Along

Step 12 Simplify and adjust the two projected splines.

Why is it important to maintain the location of end points?

- Use Smooth to make the curves single segment, degree 5.

Smooth will alter the shape of the splines.

NOTE Exact tolerance is not an issue. Use the original spline

XY spline, Before Editing

XY spline, After Editing

ZX spline, Before Editing

ZX spline, After Editing

Step 1 Open the part _panels, where is your initials.

Step 1 Open the part _panels, where is your initials.