Chamfer
Chamfers are similar to fillets and rounds in that they add and remove material.
In the case of chamfers, the edge is beveled. When a Chamfer is created on an
inside edge, material is added to increase strength. If a chamfer is created on the
outside edge, material is cut away. In this tutorial, we will investigate the three
methods of creating chamfers: using Distance, a Distance and an Angle, and
using Two Distances.
Procedure
Create a rectangular solid of dimensions 3 x 2 x 1.5 inches. Sketch a rectangle
on the front face with the dimensions as shown in Figure 1.
Fig.1 Starting Geometry
Extrude the sketch .75 inch, joining it with the base feature.
Fig.2 Completed Block
Note:
If you had difficulty creating this block, please review the tutorial on
Extruding.
Adding Chamfers
We will apply chamfers along various edges of the block, using the three different
methods.
First: The Distance Chamfer
Choose
from the Features Tool Bar.
The Chamfer dialog box is displayed.
Fig.3 The Chamfer dialog box
On the left side of the box, there are three buttons: one for each of the three
ways to add a chamfer.
The top left is the button for the Distance chamfer. This creates a new face at an
equal distance along the two faces that meet at that edge. We will use that on the
interior edges. Make the distance .25 inches and choose the edges shown. You
may need to rotate the part to get the four edges indicated.
Fig.4 Distance Chamfer Option
Click OK.
Notice that the inside edge has had material added to it to strengthen the
intersection of those faces.
Fig.5 Distance Chamfer Added
Second: The Distance and Angle Chamfer
Choose
from the Features Tool Bar.
This time choose the middle button on the left, the Distance and Angle option.
This creates a new face at a distance from the edge and at an angle from a
selected face. We will use this Chamfer on the top edges of the added extrusion.
Use the specifications shown.
Fig.6 Distance and Angle Dialog Box
Notice that the Face button is depressed. Choose the top face.
Fig.7 Top face chosen
Now the Edges button is depressed. Choose the four edges on the face.
Fig.8 Four edges chosen
Click OK.
Notice that material is removed from the edge, in unequal distances from the
faces.
Fig.9 Distance and Angle Chamfer
Third: Two Distances Chamfer
Choose
from the Features Tool Bar.
This time choose the bottom left button: Two Distances. This chamfer creates a
face at different offset distances from the edge chosen. Use the specifications
shown.
Fig.10 Two Distances Dialog Box
Notice that the Edge button is depressed. Choose the edge shown.
Fig.11 Selected Edge
Click on the Direction button under Edge several times. Notice how this
changes the orientation of the chamfer.
Depress the Direction button to make your chamfer look like the one in Figure
12. Click OK.
Fig. 12 Chamfer orientation
Repeat this process for the opposite edge.
Fig.13 Completed Exercise
Additional Exercises:
- Create a box, with a square hole and a round hole placed in it (size is
unimportant for this exercise). Place a chamfer of equal distance on the top
edge of the square hole, and a distance/angle chamfer on the top of the round
hole.