This function is used to generate fillet elements at the sharp corners of a part. This function requires a relatively clean mesh without overlapping elements or interior gaps. The Fillet Mesh dialog box is illustrated in Figure 7.1.25.

Figure 7.1.25  Fillet Mesh dialog box

·            FEATURE LINES

ANGLE

This is the angle between the adjacent mesh normal. The default value is 20 degrees.

Upon entering the Fillet Mesh interface, the program will automatically search for feature lines where the angle is larger than or equal to the angle criteria and highlight all features lines that meet the criteria as illustrated in Figure 7.1.26.

Figure 7.1.26  All feature lines

The user may enter a new feature angle and click the Find button. The program will automatically search for feature lines where the angle is larger than or equal to the angle criteria and highlight all features lines that meet the criteria.

ALL

The program will highlight and select all the feature lines. Click Apply button to fillet all the feature lines.

The program has already highlighted all the feature lines when entering the Fillet interface, so the All button is not enabled.

REMOVE

Click this button and select feature lines that are not required to be filleted by left clicking. Click the right button to cancel the last selection and click the middle button to confirm.

PATCH

This function is used to patch non-integrated feature line(s). The operation steps are given below:

1. Click the Patch button to select an end point of the feature line, as illustrated in Figure 7.1.27.

Figure 7.1.27  Select the first point

2. Select nodes on the sharp edge adjacent to this end point in sequence, as illustrated in Figure 7.1.28.

Figure 7.1.28  Select other nodes

3. Click the middle button to confirm. The patched feature line is illustrated in Figure 7.1.29.

Figure 7.1.29  Patched feature line

Note: When patching the feature line, the first point selected must be an end point of the feature line.

SELECT

This function enables the user to fillet the selected feature lines. Click the Select button and select feature lines to be filleted in the display area by using the left mouse button. Click the right button to cancel the last selection and click the middle button to confirm. The program will highlight the selected feature lines, as illustrated in Figure 7.1.30. Click the Apply button to fillet the selected feature lines.

Figure 7.1.30  Highlight the selected feature lines

·           PARAMETER

GLOBAL RADIUS

Define the global radius of all the feature lines.  The default value is 3mm. After clicking the Apply button, the program will use the global radius to fillet the feature lines whose constant radius and variable radius are not defined individually.

Figure 7.1.31  Parameter

CONSTANT

This function is used to define the constant radius, which is different from the global radius. Select Constant and click Change Radius button. Use the left button to select feature lines in the display area. Click the right button to cancel the last selection operation. Click the middle button to confirm and enter the specified fillet radius in the displayed dialog box illustrated in Figure 7.1.32.

Figure 7.1.32  Change radius

When the user clicks OK, the program will show the radius of these feature lines in the display area, as illustrated in Figure 7.1.33.

Figure 7.1.33  Add constant radius fillet

VARIABLE

Select Variable and click Change Radius. Once a feature line is selected, the dialog box illustrated in Figure 7.1.34 appears. Click Add button to add control points on the feature line, as illustrated in Figure 7.1.34. Set radius of the control point in the dialog box and the program automatically highlights the radius value of the control point, as illustrated in Figure 7.1.35.

Figure 7.1.34  Variable radius

Figure 7.1.35  Add control point

Click  button to delete the control point.

APPLY

Click Apply button to fillet the selected feature lines according to the setup parameters.

EDIT

After creating the fillet, the feature line and fillet parameter are disabled, as illustrated in Figure 7.1.36(a). By clicking Edit button, the Parameter is enabled and all the feature lines after filleting are highlighted, as illustrated in Figure 7.1.36(b). The user can change the global radius for the created fillet and add Constant or Variable radius. Once the edit is completed, the Create button is enabled. Click this button to fillet the feature line with new parameters.

      

(a)                                         (b)

Figure 7.1.36  Edit fillet

REMOVE

Click this button and all the filleted feature lines are highlighted. Select feature lines with fillets to be removed in the display area by using the left button. Click the right button to cancel the last selection and click the middle button to confirm. After confirmation, the Create button is enabled. Click this button to remove the fillets on these feature lines, as illustrated in Figure 7.1.37.

     

(a)  Select feature line                                 (b)  Result

Figure 7.1.37  Remove fillet

CANCEL

Click this button to cancel the operations for edit and remove, as illustrated in Figure 7.1.38.

             

(a)                                                  (b)

Figure 7.1.38  Cancel

UNDO

Click this button to undo the fillet result.