3D Modelling a fan duct

[thomas-roager 0]

Hello Folks

i was wondering how you would go on about creating a fan duct, it seems like it isnt an easy job.

Im using Designspark mechanical/Spaceclaim to create my models.

Maybe any of you knew or had some good inputs on how to go create one.

Thanks in advance.

- Thomas

[Labern 774]

Is this for your printer?

if so Have a read of THIS as it might help you get a few ideas.

In all I have found that fans run better lying flat, Have the same exit hole as the open area of the fan, have enough room for air to move. So a fan blowing onto a flat surface is not so good.

Also @foehnsturm has done a lot of good work on this topic, you can get ideas HERE and HERE

[thomas-roager 0]

Yeah this is for my printer, im trying to create a fan duct for a fan blower so the problem is to get the fan flowing.

Like foehnsturms work, i think its hard to create the twisting inside og a model. i do have some ideas how to create my model but how to get it done in modelling the hole in the model to curve the wind is the hardest part for me.

[Labern 774]

Yeah its hard to give design advice without seeing a current model or knowing your exact idea.

But if you look around at other similar models you might get inspiration or ideas of how it can be done.

[thomas-roager 0]

I do have an idea, but the problem is to curve the wind from the fan like the ideas you came with.

For example this one: http://www.thingiverse.com/make:119497

Lets say i want to create something similar, how to i go on about creating the hole inside the model?

I would go create the fan duct without the hole where the wind should go. and then i would somehow create the hole inside the model. But is this the way to go, and how do i do it

i hope this helps

[Labern 774]

I don't use that design software so probably not the best to help you with.

Are you able to thin extrude the main shape using a loft?

I'm pretty sure @ultiarjan uses that software and hes a pretty switched on designer so he maybe able to point you in the right direction.

[thomas-roager 0]

Yeah i think in designspark its called sweep, where i create 2 squares for example and a line from the middle og both , then i can sweep from 1 object to the other, in that i could create a pyramid. but im not sure about the thin walled extruding. :/

[Labern 774]

you should be able to shell your solid then cut through for your exit hole

[thomas-roager 0]

Thank you Labern, i could try that. ill get back to you later

[Labern 774]

 

video shows the shell feature

[thomas-roager 0]

how would i go for this one: http://imgur.com/vKHpTXw

im trying to create 2 circles, one circle are larger than the other.

Then im trying to sweep one surface to the other. But the shape doesnt get smaller or larger depended of wich circle i take, how to go around that ? :/

[Labern 774]

how about

?

[ultiarjan 1,223]

I don't use that design software so probably not the best to help you with.

Are you able to thin extrude the main shape using a loft?

I'm pretty sure @ultiarjan uses that software and hes a pretty switched on designer so he maybe able to point you in the right direction.

 

Not sure I understand the question completly, but for fuent shapes I usually like to draw a curved line, the extrude the line to a surface, and then extrude that surface to a certain thickness.

If you want to get a fluent connection between to shapes, lets say a square and a circle, you need "spaceclaim" the paid (or otherwise obtained) version of design spark mechanical

[thomas-roager 0]

 

I don't use that design software so probably not the best to help you with.

Are you able to thin extrude the main shape using a loft?

I'm pretty sure @ultiarjan uses that software and hes a pretty switched on designer so he maybe able to point you in the right direction.

 

Not sure I understand the question completly, but for fuent shapes I usually like to draw a curved line, the extrude the line to a surface, and then extrude that surface to a certain thickness.

If you want to get a fluent connection between to shapes, lets say a square and a circle, you need "spaceclaim" the paid (or otherwise obtained) version of design spark mechanical

 

Exactly like you describe it, if i use spaceclaim how would ii do the shape like you just described?

[ultiarjan 1,223]

the function I mean is called "blend"

[thomas-roager 0]

the function I mean is called "blend"

 

Thank you very much ultiarjan !

[thomas-roager 0]

Its a nice feature in spaceclaim, but how would you go at creating some curves like those fan ducts you find?