Once Orient is selected, a dialog box as illustrated in Figure 7.3.54 appears. With this dialog box, the user can change the orientation of a profile relatively to the POP Line by using four methods.

Figure 7.3.54  Orient Profile dialog box

·           BY PO POINT

This function allows the user to select a profile to change its orientation relatively to the POP Line. If the function is selected, the following message is printed in the message prompt window:

SELECT PROFILE TO CHANGE ORIENTATION

After a profile is selected, the user needs to pick a location on the POP Line. The selected profile is moved to a plane defined by the original part boundary node and the new POP Line location.  After completing the profile orientation operation by clicking the middle mouse button, the user clicks on Close button to exit the function if Auto Update Addendum is selected. The addendum mesh is automatically updated.

·           BY RANGE

This function allows the user to change the orientation of a selected profile relatively to the POP Line by selecting a profile segment. The user can select this option and click the Apply button to highlight some profiles in order to display the profile region. The user can also customize the profile region. Double click on the left mouse button to cancel the specified highlighted profiles and click on the left mouse button to select and highlight the specified profile. Then, select a profile in the selected region and drag the profile left and right. All the profiles in this region will move accordingly. Therefore, the orientation of this profile segment relatively to the POP Line will be changed. After completing the profile orientation operation by clicking the middle mouse button, the user clicks on Close button to exit the function if Auto Update Addendum is selected. The addendum mesh is automatically updated.

·           BY REF PROFILE

This function allows the user to select a reference profile and then select other profiles. The direction of the reference profile will be an orientation standard for the selected profile. After completing the profile orientation operation by clicking the middle mouse button, the user clicks on Close button to exit the function if Auto Update Addendum is selected. The addendum mesh is automatically updated.

·           BY SYMMETRY AXIS

This function allows the user to adjust the orientation of profile so that it can parallel to the orientation of the symmetry plane. For symmetric parts, after the completion of half addendum, the user usually mirrors the generated addendum onto the other half. Therefore, before the mirror operation, the user needs to adjust the profile orientation into the symmetry plane.

Once this dialog box is selected, the program will prompt the user to select a profile to adjust its orientation. After a profile is selected, if it locates within the symmetry plane, this profile will be adjusted into the symmetry plane automatically. Figure 7.3.55 shows a typical result of symmetry operation.

 

 (a)  Before Profile Adjustment        (b)  After Profile Adjustment

Figure 7.3.55  Profile Adjustment

If the selected profile is not in the symmetry plane, a dialog box as illustrated in Figure 7.3.56 appears.

Figure 7.3.56  eta/DYNAFORM Question dialog box

Click Yes to continue operation. Click No to cancel this operation.

After the completion of operation, the program prompts the user to select other profiles to continue adjustment, or click on the right mouse button to exit this function.

Note: This function is only available for the symmetric parts and cannot be applied on non-symmetrical parts.