Creating Surfaces of Revolution

This task shows how to create a surface by revolving a planar profile about an axis.
The rotation of a planar or 3D curve ('generator curve') about an axis traces the shape of a surface of revolution.

In ICEM Surf the creation of surfaces of revolution covers the creation of the shape of spherically symmetric surfaces for which the generator curve will be provided (surface of revolution types Cylinder, Cone, Sphere, Torus and Barrel), as well as the generation of surfaces by rotation of previously defined curves (Freeform).


 

After being created, the surface of revolution can be modified with the manipulators.

Open the SurfaceOfRevolution.CATPart document.

  1. Click Surface of Revolution .
    The Surface of Revolution dialog box appears.


 
 

  1. Select the type of surface of revolution Barrel and Line.1 as axis of rotation.

  2. For Range, specify start and end values of -50 and 50.

  3. Click Apply to create a barrel surface.
 

  1. Start and end angle can be modified by manipulating the handles at the tips of the red manipulators.
 

  1. Start and end ranges can be modified by manipulating the handles at the tips of the blue manipulators.
 

  1. Activate the display of the element Sketch.1 via 'Hide/Show' in the contextual menu.

  2. Set the type of surface of revolution Freeform in the Surface of Revolution dialog box and select Sketch.1 as Guide.

  3. Click OK  to create a surface of revolution from the freeform curve.
 
You can define the following options:
  • Type: Definition of the type of surface of revolution:
 
  • Cylinder
     
    Generatrix Parameters
    straight line parallel to the axis of rotation cylinder radius (option Radius)
    cylinder height (option Height)

 
  • Cone
     
    Generatrix Parameters
    straight line radius at bottom (option Radius)
    radius at top (option Minor)
    height of cone (option Height)

 
  • Sphere
     
    Generatrix Parameters
    semicircle with centre on the axis of rotation radius of sphere (option Radius)

 
  • Torus
     
    Generatrix Parameters
    circle major radius (option Radius)
    minor radius (option Minor)

 
  • Barrel:
     
    Generatrix Parameters
    circular arc radius of arc (option Radius)
    curve radius (option Minor)

 
  • Freeform:
     
    Generatrix Parameters
    planar or 3D Bezier curve none

 
  • Axis: Definition of the axis of rotation.
  • Attachment Point: Definition of the starting position of the rotation (= origin of the local coordinate system).
  • Guide: Selection of a guide for the type of surface of revolution Freeform.
  Options tab
 
  • Parameter:
    • Radius: According to the selected type of surface of revolution, the following values may be defined:
       
      Type of surface of revolution Parameters
      Cylinder cylinder radius (see figure Cylinder)
      Cone start radius (see figure Cone)
      Sphere sphere radius (see figure Sphere)
      Torus major radius (see figure Torus)
      Barrel rotation radius (see figure Barrel)

       

    • Height: Only for the types Cylinder  and Cone.
      According to the selected type of surface of revolution, the following values may be defined:

       

      Type of surface of revolution Parameters
      Cylinder cylinder height (see figure Cylinder)
      Cone height of the frustum of a cone (see figure Cone)

       

    • Minor: Only for the types Cone, Torus and Barrel.

      According to the selected type of surface of revolution, the following values may be defined:
       

      Type of surface of revolution Parameters
      Cone end radius (see figure Cone)
      Torus minor radius (see figure Torus)
      Barrel curve radius (= radius of the generating arc) (see figure Barrel)
 
  • Rotation: The surface of revolution is defined by start and end angles by which the generator curve is rotated about the Z axis of the local coordinate system of rotation. Values between 0° and 360° can be specified for the angles. The surface of revolution is always created in positive rotational direction, i. e. from the start to the end angle.
    • Start/End: Defines the start and end angle of the surface of revolution.
    • Closed: A closed surface of revolution is created.
 
  • Range: Only for the types Sphere, Torus and Barrel.
    The values specified here determine the part of the generator curve that is to be used if only a segment of a cylindrical surface is going to be created. For the range angles can be specified values between -90° and +90°.
    • Start/End: Defines start and end angle of the range.
    • Closed: A surface of revolution with closed range is created.
  See Approximation tab
  See Output tab
  Click onto the 'More Info' button to display deviations and output results.
 
  • Display: Depending on the options selected, values are displayed in the graphics area.
  • Deviation: Maximum deviation between the edges of the created surface and the original curves.
    • Guide: Displays the deviation of the approximated guide.
    • Form: Displays the deviation from the surface of revolution.
  • UV: Display of the UV vectors of curves and surfaces.
  • Output Result: See Output Result