Chamfer

 Chamfer Feature

Replacing an edge with a planar ‘ribbon’ surface with (by default) an equal angular relationship to the two parent surfaces

If the parent surfaces meet with an external angle greater than 180 degrees then material is removed, if less then material is added.

 

To create a Chamfer:

Activate the  chamfer tool

Select the edge(s)

Set the chamfer size

 

Edge chains and Sets

Use Ctrl to select multiple edges to create an edge chain and fillet with the same parameters.

Use Ctrl to select multiple unconnected edges to fillet with the same parameters

The edges form a Set.

If you select different edges without pressing Ctrl the a new Set is created with new parameters.  This allows you to manage your fillets under one feature and is an efficient method for reducing the length of your model tree.

 

 

If the selected edge is connected to a subsequent edge with a tangent connection then an edge chain will be created and the edges will be chamfered until a non tangent junction is reached.

Intent edges

When selecting edge references for a chamfer feature, either toggle (momentary RMB) or RMB > Pick from list and you will find Intent Edges – edges which define the design intent.  This edge chain or collection of edges is identified by the surrounding features and not by the edge identity.

In the example above, the chamfer at the base of the smaller extrusion was referenced to the Intent Edge around the base – the edge between the two features.  The intention is to create a chamfer between the features and not to create a chamfer on specific edges.

The parent feature is altered and creates a new set of edges between the two features, the chamfers adapts accordingly

 

Chamfer cross section

The dimensioning scheme for the chamfer cross section can be:

This is accessed through the dashboard.  Unlike the fillet, the chamfer section cannot vary along the length of the edge chain.

 

Transitions

At some point, chamfered edges will meet each other in the model, the chamfer surfaces will have to be ‘blended’ together – this patch is the transition.

Pick the  Transition mode icon in the dashboard, select a highlighted transition on the model and, depending on the geometry, you may be given different options for the shape of the transition.

 

Failures

Chamfers can sometimes fail – particularly at points where multiple edges join with complex transitions.  Try and visualise what you are asking the system to do.

If chamfers failure you will have to resort to surface modelling techniques to create your geometry.

Options tab > Attachment > Surface

This option creates the chamfer surface but doesn’t alter the solid, it creates a construction surface which is more likely to be succeed when a chamfer fails and can be used to construct the chamfer manually.