Combining bodies for 3D printing

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1

I have a mechanically welded assembly with sheet metal parts and volume parts.
For a question of assembly, there is play (1mm) between many parts as well as angles of positioning of the sheets.

To 3D print my part , I need to get a single body (with all the parts combined) and then fill all the hollow bodies.
The Solidworks combine feature does not handle "non-joint" bodies.
Do you have a solution (or software) to do this easily (without tracing all the functions)?

2

Hello

Look at my tutorial, it should be able to help you. It allows you to create a part from an assembly and merge the parts together to facilitate simulation, and this part keeps a link with the assembly. If you modify a part in the assembly, the part that you created from it will follow.

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3

Hello

I do not quite understand your question.

When you are in your head assembly, just press "Save As" and then select the "Part" type. This will result in a part file with all your parts converted to volume bodies.

I am attaching an example (SW2016).

Kind regards


combiner_sw.zip
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4

Thanks for the tutorial, but it's the same as recording in Part and then combining.
The parts of the assembly are joined only by edges (sheet metal on sheet metal).
When registering in .prt, the bodies are not combined since they do not touch each other.


face.jpg
5

Re

If I understand correctly, you want to fill in the gaps and create a complete volume, is that right?

You can then use the "Intersection" function in the parts context. In your case, you will have to go through several manipulations since you have an assembly.

1- Save your assembly in parts (you will get volume bodies.

2- Create an extrusion boss feature enveloping all the volume bodies (do not merge, this way you can hide the function and find your bodies).

3- Use the "Insert" function (see the different options if needed in the help). And eventually you can "Combine" the bodies afterwards since there will be no more spaces.

I will attach another example

Kind regards


assemblage_combiner.zip
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6

I tried but the bodies are linked by edges so "zero thickness" so it doesn't work.

7

Hello

Indeed, SW does not allow you to combine bodies in tangent contact. I don't see a solution/trick to offer you.

Kind regards

8

Hello

To try

Make bosses to the opposite surface by merging the bosses.

You will no longer have tangent contact. your part must be exportable in STL  and compatible with 3D printer...

Chrtof.

9

True, but given the complexity of the model, this operation takes a day (to be done each time if there is an evolution of the 3D model...)

We're moving towards another app to do that

10

Hello

you can try with the "Move Face" function to put the faces in contact or make it cross and then merge everything.

11

and why not simply thicken the sheets to fill the gap between the tube and the sheets

and then create a part of your assembly

@+ 

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