From Solid to Surface Modelling

Abstract

As a rule any CAD modelling should eventually result in a solid model or a system of solid models with all their functional and aesthetic details. Achieving this goal requires the user to understand modelling with features, solid models and the basic principles of the Boolean algebra of solid CAD bodies. As such, this is an essential part of surface modelling, too. Surface modelling is a valuable tool, providing an experienced CAD designer with a faster and better execution of complex CAD shapes. However, experienced CAD designers will not abandon working with features and solid bodies. Instead, based on their own knowledge, experience and the expected results, they will choose the most appropriate approach—the best tool for creating individual steps and details, while navigating through all their skills. This chapter presents the importance of such navigation for the example of a Kaplan turbine blade. This is an example of a product where one part has a fairly complex but very important surface, defining the efficiency of the hydro power plant, while the other end has a geometrically regular shape, allowing accurate and flexible assembly with the turbine rotor. The fastest possible, good-quality results require concurrent decisions about whether to execute individual steps by means of features or surfaces. This chapter explains the process of creating surfaces, creating solid bodies from surfaces, and combining solid bodies in order to come to the end product.