Atom3D Q&A 2025

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Atom3D Q&A 2025

This topic has 12 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 23 February 2025 at 16:50 by JasonB.

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23 February 2025 at 08:18 #785058
Diogenes
Participant
@diogenes
..once I’d picked it up, I could not put it down again..

I’m still learning ‘The Principles’ by just playing – this isn’t part of a project – it’s an exercise..

Here is a fluted column. It’s a truncated cone, with 4 tapered cut-outs (‘windows’) disposed radially.

I’d like to ‘frame’ the windows, possibly with an ‘angle’ profile, but perhaps more easily with a ‘flat’ applied to the surface around each aperture.

Sweeping an angled strip around the inside ‘section’ of the cut-out is just do-able, but took several goes, made the processor ache – and the end result is unpleasing.

Q1 – how can I replicate this ‘sweep’ to the other three apertures

Q2 – I can see how a separate frame might be more pleasing – how would one form it – by building a ‘reference cone’?
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23 February 2025 at 08:32 #785059
David Jupp
Participant
@davidjupp51506
Q1 – use a circular feature pattern.

Q2 – not sure I understand either your aim, or “reference cone”.
23 February 2025 at 09:10 #785070
Diogenes
Participant
@diogenes
..the ‘okay’ button will go red, once the error notice is cancelled..
23 February 2025 at 09:20 #785072
Diogenes
Participant
@diogenes
Q2 – How can I make a ‘frame-shaped-structure’ that conforms to the shape of the surface of a cone?
23 February 2025 at 09:57 #785087
David Jupp
Participant
@davidjupp51506
Q2 – again not entirely sure what that means. Is front of frame to be curved around the cone or flat?

If you send your existing file to me, directly (PM me for e-mail address) OR raise a support ticket with Alibre and I’ll pick it up there. https://www.alibre.com/alibre-customer-support-ticket-entry/
23 February 2025 at 10:11 #785090
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
I did draw a Williamson column at one time but can’t find it at the moment.

This is how I have done it with a plain cylinder in the past

1. Draw the shape of the window on one of the central planes and extrude it out beyond the cone. In your case I would just extrude out one sid eand then do a 4 x circular pattern of teh extrude.

Then cut off teh excess protrusion, I did it by cutting a “washer” shape along the length but if you do a shape with one line running parallel to the edge of your cone and do a revolve cut all the way round that will leave the window frame a set distance from the crest of the flutes

Lastly add any edge detail, I did a roundover

Then make it with a nice finish!
23 February 2025 at 10:34 #785099
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Just tried similar method on teh Otto Column
23 February 2025 at 14:25 #785175
Diogenes
Participant
@diogenes
David, thank you for taking the time, Jason has correctly identified the actual part which probably helps with comprehension of the issue – and come up with what looks like a good solution.

Thank you both, I can see how that should work.

Jason – have you ‘done’ a Williamson? – a nice looking engine, but probably above my skill-level to fabricate at present..
23 February 2025 at 14:37 #785176
David Jupp
Participant
@davidjupp51506
As for why the feature pattern didn’t work, I’d need to examine the file with the failed feature to work that out. Say OK/Apply anyway (even though button is red), to have the feature saved into the Design Explorer.
23 February 2025 at 14:50 #785182
Diogenes
Participant
@diogenes
Thanks David, yes, will do.

I had quite a job getting the sweep to ‘take’ in the first place, a whole series of minor ‘tweaks’ to both sweep sketch profile and settings, so could be related to that, also there are 46 flutes (not divisible by 4) so the possibility exists for a ‘clash’ there somewhere too?
23 February 2025 at 15:45 #785208
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
There was talk of a “Big Willy” over on MEM forum, Anthony Mount did some patterns and made a couple to commission. It would not be too difficult to machine the column from thick wall tube, cut the windows and then add the “frames” It is not an easy one to cast as the flutes prevent it from being just a two piece pattern split down the middle as you would not be able to pull them out of the sand. A good candidate for 3D metal printing but you do need to be able to draw it first!

I’ve got the book and will draw up the column again to see how it looks.
23 February 2025 at 16:38 #785214
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Here you go, done much as I described earlier

I’ll send you the file.

And if you wanted the frames separate then the previous features can be suppressed
23 February 2025 at 16:50 #785216
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
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