11. Cross section - Sweep
![](../__attachments/34341794/G4_72.png?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)
Exercise 11: Cross Section
![](../__attachments/34341794/poikkil1.gif?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)
![](../__attachments/34341794/poikkil2.gif?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)
Version compatibility
This exercise was carried out with version 27.0 (Vertex 2021).
Table of Contents
In this exercise you will learn to
- To sketch cross sections of profiles.
- To save the cross section in the profile library.
- Sweeping a profile-type library feature along a guide line.
- Cut out the sketch lines.
Functions to be used:
- New Sketch > To horizontal (XY) plane.
- Sketching: Two point rectangle, Two Point Line, Circle with Center and Radii Point and Acr with Tree Points.
- Sketching constraints: Distance, Symmetry, Tangential and Diameter.
- Sketching: Delete Section of Line.
- Operation: Guide curve.
- Operation: Cross Section.
- Part: Sweep.
Create a new part
- File > New > Part.
- Enter the label (which is also the name of the model and by default will be the name of the drawing).
- Enter the archive information by clicking Arc.Data.
- Select the project for model.
- OK.
![](../__attachments/34341794/NewPartDocument.png?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)
Create the only sketch of the model
- New Sketch > To horizontal (XY) plane.
- Line style: Guide line.
- Sketch a rectangle.
- Sketch a line segment. (Two point line)
- Use the midpoints of the lines as the start and end points of the segment.
Model suitable for profile cross-section
- The model may have only one history stage, i.e. one sketch.
- The sketch must be made to Horizontal (XY) plane.
- No handle is added to the model, such as for features or components to be saved in library.
Note that the default placement point for the cross-section added from the library is the origo of the sketch.
- The placement point can be changed when performing a sweep.
![](../__attachments/34341794/Prof1.png?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)
Significance of cross-sectional control geometry
The lines above could also be Constructional, in which case they would not appear in the model or in the feature retrieved from the library.
It is a good idea to define guide lines as lines that can be used (also endpoints) can be used when positioning a cross-sectional feature in a sweep or in profile structure design relative to a guide curve.
Add a symmetry constraint and main dimensions
- Add a symmetry constraint for the vertical lines with respect to the vertical line of the center cross.
- Give the width and height dimensions.
If the origo is outside the rectangle, drag the rectangle so that the origo is inside.
![](../__attachments/34341794/Prof2.png?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)
Sketch and position the circles
- Sketch two circles, in the figure A.
- The second circle so that its center is attached to the origo.
- Add tangential constraint to the circles, in the figure B.
- Left circle tangential to the lower horizontal line and the left vertical line.
- The circle of origo tangential to the upper horizontal line.
- Mirror the left circle with respect to the vertical axis of the center cross, in the figure C.
![](../__attachments/34341794/Prof3.png?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)
Sketch and place the arc, add the equal radius constraint to the circles
- Sketch Arc with three Points, in the figure D.
- Note that the tangentiality (mini toolbar) is selected with the arc drawing.
- Click the left circle.
- Click the right circle.
- Add tangential to the arc, in the figure E.
- Click to the arc and top guide line.
- Click the arc and the circle on the right.
- Add the Equal Radius constraint between two circles, in the figure F.
![](../__attachments/34341794/Prof4.png?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)
Add offset arc, inner circles, and tangential constraint.
- Add an offset line to the arc 4mm inside, in the figure H.
- Sketch three circles, in the figure I.
- Click to the location of the center of the circle from the center of the old circles.
- Add a tangential constraint to these circles and the inner arc, in the figure J.
![](../__attachments/34341794/Prof5.png?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)
Cut out extra line sections and add a concentricity constraint.
- Remove extra sections from the lines, in the figure K.
- Function: Delete Section.
- Add Concentricity constraint to arcs, in the figure L.
![](../__attachments/34341794/Prof6.png?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)
Add a diameter constraint and check the sketch
- Add a Diameter constraint for one circle, in the figure M.
- If the there is open line endpoints in the sketch (red dot), edit the sketch.
- The arc is too long, in the figure N.
- Use Function: Delete Section.
![](../__attachments/34341794/Prof7.png?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)
Add roundings to sharp corners
- Click four points (Use Crtl key when selecting).
- Right-click function: Round.
- Enter: 6.
![](../__attachments/34341794/Prof8.png?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)
Check the distance between the holes
- Add a Dimension (or distance condition) between the center of circles, remember to deselect: Drives geometry.
- If the dimension drives geometry, then the sketch is overdefined.
Non drives geometry
- Dimensions do not modify the geometry.
- But they can serve as inspection dimensions
- And they assist the designer by showing the dimensions needed elsewhere.
![](../__attachments/34341794/Prof9.png?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)
Perform the Cross Section operation
- Stop sketching (the green OK button).
- Select: Cross Section.
- Click OK.
![](../__attachments/34341794/ProfiilinPoikkileikkaus.png?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)
Save the cross section to the library
- Right-click function: Save to Library > As Profile.
- Select a folder or create a new folder.
- It's a recommended to save Cross Section (= Profile) of the same type in the same folder.
- Create a new folder, in the figure 1).
- Enter a name for the folder, in the figure 2).
- Select the folder, in the figure 3).
- Enter the name for profile, in the figure 4).
- Save the profile, in the figure 5).
![](../__attachments/34341794/Prof11.png?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)
Save the model
- File > Save or click or press
Create a new part
- File > New > Part.
- Enter the label (which is also the name of the model and by default will be the name of the drawing).
- Enter the archive information by clicking Arc.Data.
- Select the project for the model.
- OK.
![](../__attachments/34341794/NewPartDocument.png?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)
Model guide line
Create a sketch in a vertical plane
- New Sketch > To Vertical (XZ) plane
- Sketch a vertical line: A Two Point Line.
Operation:
- Guide curve
![](../__attachments/34341794/Prof10.png?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)
Create a part from the cross section and the guide line
- Function: Add boss using cross-section from library.
- Select a feature from the library: Profiles > Own > folder > profile (In this exercise FOLDER1 > PROF_NAME1)
- Double-click the feature or
- Grab it and drag it a little.
- Place the cross section on the line.
- The program goes to sketching mode, and you could use constraints to place the sketch.
![](../__attachments/34341794/Prof12.png?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)
- Exit sketch: OK.
- The program presents the sweep information.
- Now you could provide other information to guide the sweep.
- OK: Perform a sweep.
![](../__attachments/34341794/Prof13.png?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)
Save the model
- File > Save or click or press
Examples
Below there is an example where the above cross-section has been used, but the guide curve is different.
![](../__attachments/34341794/Prof12.png?inst-v=e2317961-98f4-43b1-bb7b-5b7c5b59eeea)