Adding Fillet, Shell, and Draft Features

I-DEAS Tutorials: Fundamental Skills

Learn how to:
add draft features
add fillet features
use the Ball Corner Fillet option
add shell features
2
Before you begin...
Prerequisite tutorials:
1. Introducing the IDEAS Interface
Quick Tips to Using I-DEAS
and
Creating Parts
2. Sketching and Constraining
3. Dimensioning
4. Using Sketch Planes and Understanding
Sketch Pads
5. Building Sections
6. Extruding and Revolving Features
3
Setup 1 of 3
If you didnt start I-DEAS with a new (empty) model file,
open a new one now and give it a unique name.
File
Open
Open Model File form
Model File name: any unique name
OK
Make sure youre in the following application and task:
Design, Manufacturing, or Simulation
Modeler
Set your units to mm.
Options
Units
mm (milli newton)
This tutorial shows some draft, fillet, and shell options
using a model of a computer keyboard key that you will
create.
4
Setup 2 of 3
Step 1. Create a part and give it a unique name. Pick
the XY plane to sketch on.
Step 2. Sketch a rectangle representative of the basic
size of a keyboard key. Modify dimensions to those
shown.
Step 3. Sketch a 3-point arc to shape the keys top
surface.
5
Setup 3 of 3
Step 4. Extrude the section with the arc 15mm to create
the basic key shape.
Save your model file.
File
Save
Warning!
If you are prompted by I-DEAS to save your model file,
respond:
No
Save only when the tutorial instructions tell you tonot
when I-DEAS prompts for a save.
If you make a mistake at any time between saves and
cant recover, you can reopen your model file to the last
save and start over from that point.
Hint
To reopen your model file to the previous save, press
Control-z.
2
3
4
1
6
Add draft features 1 of 5
Add a draft angle of 10 degrees to the two shorter sides,
using the bottom face as the stationary face.
1
Direction of pull
Yes (if arrow up)
Face to draft
2

3
shift-pick

4
Stationary edge or face


Things to notice
Pay attention to the graphic preview, which shows the
pull direction and direction of rotation of the faces to
draft.
General Draft form
Constant Angle
10
OK
7
Add draft features 2 of 5
Result
Recovery Point
File
Save
2
3
4
1
8
Add draft features 3 of 5
Draft the front and back (the longer) faces with a draft
angle of 5 degrees.
Normal to Surface
1

Key In

Yes (if arrow up)
2

3
shift-pick

4
pick bottom surface


General Draft form
Constant Angle
5
OK
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Add draft features 4 of 5
Result
10
Add draft features 5 of 5
Check the history tree to see how the general draft
operations are stored as features.
1
2
3
1. base extrusion
2. draft info
3. draft info
You could have done the draft operation in one step,
which would have made the history tree shorter. We
chose to do it in two steps to give you more practice.
Dismiss
Deselect All
Recovery Point
File
Save
11
Add fillet features 1 of 4
The Fillet icon fillets (rounds) the edges of parts. You can
select edges by picking:
surfaces (pick all associated edges)
edges
vertices (pick all edges coming into corner)
In most cases, youll enter just one radius value, but
there are several other options, such as variable radii
and ball corner fillets, that are demonstrated in this
section.
Dont confuse the 2D Fillet command and the 3D
Fillet command.
The 2D fillet works on wireframe.
The 3D fillet works on part edges.
12
Add fillet features 2 of 4
To see the difference between a constant and a variable
radius, fillet one vertical edge with a constant 3mm
radius.
1

(Done)
1
Check I-DEAS Prompt.
3 (type in and press Return)
(Done)
13
Add fillet features 3 of 4
Next, fillet another edge with a variable radius fillet, with
3mm at the top and 6mm at the bottom.
1
pick edge
1
(Done)
Variable Radius
Check I-DEAS Prompt.
6 (type in and press Return)
If your circle is on the top corner, enter 3 in the
I-DEAS Prompt window and press Return.
Continued on next page...
14
Add fillet features 4 of 4
Check I-DEAS Prompt.
3 (type in and press Return)
If your circle is on the bottom corner, enter 6 in the
I-DEAS Prompt window and press Return.
(Done)
Things to notice
This fillet is larger at the bottom than at the top, resulting
in a more natural looking fillet, because of the draft
angle. Before you create this type of fillet, make sure
your manufacturing facility has the capability to
manufacture them.
Do not save your model file.
15
Use the Ball Corner Fillet option 1 of 3
A ball corner fillet allows a larger radius at the corner.
This is useful for formed sheet metal parts to minimize
the stretch in the corner. It also produces a more durable
part because the corner isnt as sharp.
To try this fillet option, first open your model file to the
point before you applied the two fillets.
Hint
Control-z.
16
Use the Ball Corner Fillet option 2 of 3
Fillet by selecting the four upper vertices. Use a ball
corner radius of 1.5mm and 1mm on the edges.
1
pick vertex
2
shift-pick
3
shift-pick
4
shift-pick
(Done)
1
2
3
4
Options...
17
Use the Ball Corner Fillet option 3 of 3
Fillet Options form
Corner Radius
Corner Radius 1.5
OK
Check I-DEAS Prompt.
1 (type in and press Return)
(Done)
Recovery Point
File
Save
18
Add shell features 1 of 5
The Shell command adds thickness to surfaces. This
command can be used to convert open-surface parts
into thin solid parts.
The Shell command can also create thin-walled parts
from solid parts by deleting faces during the shell
operation.
In this section, you will shell the part, leaving the bottom
surface open to create a thin-walled plastic key cap.
1
2
19
Add shell features 2 of 5
Shell the part with a thickness of 2.0mm, deleting the
bottom surface, which will be left open.
1
pick anywhere on part
(Done)
Shell form
Thickness: 2.0
(to delete the bottom face)
2
pick face
(Done)
Shell form
OK
Things to notice
Use Redisplay to remove the temporary graphics that
display the surfaces that are swallowed by the shell.
20
Add shell features 3 of 5
Result
Things to notice
Notice that the part is now open from the bottom.
21
Add shell features 4 of 5
Check the parts history to see how the fillet, shell, and
draft features are stored with the part.
5
2
3
4
1
Things to notice
If you made the part following the instructions exactly,
your history tree will have these features:
1. extrude
2. draft info
3. draft info
4. fillet round info
5. shell info
22
Add shell features 5 of 5
In most parts, fillet, shell, and draft feature types are
related. Usually, you should apply draft before fillets.
You may, in some cases, want to also shell before
applying fillets. You would then fillet the inside and
outside separately.
Before exiting the tutorial, try the On your own exercise
on the next page. If you would rather try it later, skip to
the last page for wrap-up instructions.
23
On your own... 1 of 2
Design a simple pencil holder as a thin-walled shelled
plastic part.
Try this on your own. You should be able to do this with
the skills learned in this and previous tutorials.
If you need help, refer to the next page, which gives you
the dimensions and hints on how to create the part
shown.
24
On your own... 2 of 2
Hint
Step 1. Start with a filleted square (the shape of the top).
Step 2. Extrude with draft (negative value).
Step 3. Fillet the bottom surface.
Step 4. Shell the part, deleting the top face.
25
Tutorial wrap-up
You have completed the Adding Fillet, Shell, and Draft
Features tutorial.
Delete or put away the parts. These parts are not used in
any other tutorials.