SolidWorks & wings

[zx32tt]

I would like to loft wing ribs using solidworks 2007. How do I do this? I've imported a .dwg airfoil for the profile, but I get a error msg. My plan was to generate the wing as a solid, and section thru it at the rib stations to create the individual ribs. I've many yrs of solidworks experience, but I've never done lofting of this type. Any suggestions?
thanks,
Chuck

[Fromeco]

Chuck can you get the .dwg to come in at all loft or not? It sounds like you are on the right track, if I were going to create a wing using SW a loft would be my first thought as well.

Have you tried just bring in the .dwg as a sketch on a single plane and saving it as a solidworks part or .SLDPRT? Save that part start over again on your loft and use the .SLDPRT as your template for the different planes in the loft?

Just spitballing here, don't know if your problem is a problem bringing in the dwg, or what you are trying to do with the dwg. I spent 2hrs. last night trying to make a cut on something in SW, however it kept trying to cut my shape at a 45deg. angle. At about the 1.45hr mark I realized my part was snapped to a 45deg. grid, argh, won't ever do that again. I like SW for all the bells and whistles like Cosmos and what not, but the modeling part of SW kind of sucks. I use Rhino Cad if I really want to start FreeHanding parts.

KC

[zx32tt]

I have the airfoil in .dwg format, and insert it into a sketch. I didn't generate the airfoil, a friend of mine did. I may re-do it and change the outline to a polyline and see if that will work. For some reason, SW doesn't like the curves in the airfoil. I can do a loft with shape of straight lines & angles OK. I came across a "how to" at the "other" website, but it was quite involved. There has to be an easier way. That may be why God created ModelCad.

[Fromeco]

Yeah, your probably right. Don't curse me, but you could get out the Calipers and,,,, well,,,, you know, redraw it in SW. I know kinda defeats the purpose.

Should have read your post a little more closely, sounds like that is what you are going to do. Yes, yes I agree there should be an easier way in SW, I try to stay away from lofting, the few times that I have used it, when sucessful, I then get a part that is little harder to work with. Good luck I would be interested to see what you come up with when finished.

[HeliPilotWannaBe]

Chuck,

In the part file create a plane at each rib location. Then create a rib profile sketch on each plane. Once all the sketches are made make sure you are out of the sketch feature. Now select the loft icon. Now select each sketch in order. Also try to select the same area on each sketch for instance try to select the leading edge of each rib. I hope this helps.

Grady

[Mithrandir]

Can you get the airfoil as a step or iges or neutral file?
Also... in Pro/E Wildfire III you can create a curve thru imported points... so can you get the text of the points for the section?

In Pro/E.. what you want to do is about 15 minutes.

One other tip.. if the airfoil goes to a point at the trailing edge, make a trim or cut so that it has thickness....
some CAD systems get a little finnicky when surfaces come to a shallow point/edge.

[sideways]

You may be having problems with your .dwg file because the curves are actualy made up of lots of short lines rather than true arcs? If you can simplify the .dwg sketch, or trace over it in solidworks you might find things become easier.

Why not start with something simple like a box. Import it as a .dwg and insert onto a plane as a skletch as mentioned in the previous post. Then try something more complicated.

From memory it helps if you select the same section in each loft sketch when creating the loft?
I think this helps the software select the loft path.
For example, when lofting a row of squares, always select side one, in order of the loft.
I have seen it twist the loft (loft path) if say side one is selected, followed by side two, etc.

What version are you using?

[sideways]

I don't think the software is the problem

The sharp edge should not be an issue. (Might be for Pro-E )
I think the only problem could be if the path crosses and creates a zero thickness, but you should get told that when it tries to creat the feature.

Sorry, didn't want to start a brand war......but it was to hard to resist.
Truth is i've never realy used Pro-E, but have known a few people to use both.

Anyway, happy lofting. I'm sure this isn't a new concept....someone will have done it.

	Quote: Originally Posted by Mithrandir
	Can you get the airfoil as a step or iges or neutral file? Also... in Pro/E Wildfire III you can create a curve thru imported points... so can you get the text of the points for the section? In Pro/E.. what you want to do is about 15 minutes. One other tip.. if the airfoil goes to a point at the trailing edge, make a trim or cut so that it has thickness.... some CAD systems get a little finnicky when surfaces come to a shallow point/edge.

[zx32tt]

Sideways, I think you are correct in your thinking. I'll try a different approach & see what happens.

[Anna Wood]

	Quote: Originally Posted by zx32tt
	I would like to loft wing ribs using solidworks 2007. How do I do this? I've imported a .dwg airfoil for the profile, but I get a error msg. My plan was to generate the wing as a solid, and section thru it at the rib stations to create the individual ribs. I've many yrs of solidworks experience, but I've never done lofting of this type. Any suggestions? thanks, Chuck

Send me your SW model and the butt, tip rib. dwg. I will take a look and set you on the correct path. Should be no problem at all to get what you need. I have SW2007 thru SW2009 available to me so I can send you back a SW2007 model.

anna.wood@auerprecision.com

Cheers,

Anna Wood
www.solidmuse.com

[McFueler]

Compufoil3D will do lofting for you.

[zx32tt]

Anna, I sent you the SW file.

[Anna Wood]

Chuck,

Did you get the model I sent you? I will have time to post on some other techniques on my blog over the weekend.

Cheers,

Anna

[zx32tt]

I got the model you sent. Thanks for your efforts. I'll check out your blog.
Chuck

[Spooky]

Hi, new guy here.
I thought I'd throw these pics out there to give you an example of lofting in SolidWorks... I like to sketch the outline of the wing and use that as a guide curve(s) to connect the airfoil sketch's, that way you get the wing shape you want and not some funky, twisted mess. One tip when lofting with guide curves is make sure your airfoil sketchs intersect with the guide curve(s); use the pierce mate where the airfoil and guide curve meet, makes life much easier.
First pic is just the sketch's...Second is after lofted, and third is how it looks in place.