Feature Edges
Feature Edges are an additional strut applied to defined edges.
STRUT LATTICE (operation)
- Advanced (tab)
- Boundary Struts (sub-menu)
- Apply Feature Edges
- Feature Edge Mesh
- Feature Edge Angle
- Feature Edge Diameter
When this feature is checked, Design Engine will apply an edge strut where the angle between normals is 45 degrees or greater (shown here in 30 degree increments for illustrative purposes).
Edges are measured as the angle between the normals of two adjacent triangles (stl mesh files consist of triangles on the surface of the model).
Some applications may not have an angled edge in the areas where you want a feature edge strut. In these cases, Feature Edge Mesh allows you to use an imported surface (from CAD) to define where edge struts should be placed.
Wrist Pad Example
In this example, the goal is to have a feature edge not only on the bottom edge where we have a sharp 90 degree angle, but also along the top surface defining where a wrist would rest.
Option A
Option B
Answer
Design Engine allows for adjustment of the angle between normals to fine tune where an edge is applied.
- You can achieve an edge on angles shallower than the standard 45 degrees.
- Or you can eliminate angles above 45 degrees. For example, you may only want angles 90 degrees or greater to have an edge applied.
Angles shallower than the standard 45 degrees.
30 degree feature edge angle
In a multi-zone lattice, the strut diameter of feature edges is defined by the boundary mesh, not by the zone where the edge occurs.
There may be cases, particularly in a multi-zone part, where you want a different strut diameter on a feature edge than the diameter defined by the boundary mesh.
In this example, the center of the part is populated with a 1.0 mm strut diameter, which is defined by the boundary mesh's unit cell. The outer zone of the part has a smaller 0.5 mm strut diameter.
By default, the feature edge uses the boundary mesh's diameter of 1.0 mm, but this may not be the desired output. The part works better to have the feature edge match the smaller 0.5 mm diameter to match the zone.
