Fillet : Options and Results

The Fillet function allows you to create fillet faces with a Constant Radius or a Variable Radius. You can also trim the fillet faces, or split them if this will yield better results than trimming (for example, to develop a smooth binder that can be pulled off the part).

Constant Radius	Variable Radius

Examples

The following examples show the multiple ways Fillet can be used to produce the required results. The videos and practice files below are also helpful tools to understand and implement the Fillet function in your work environment.

• Constant Radius and Variable Radius
• Multi-Face example of external sharp corner

Demo: Press the button below to view a short movie demonstrating the function:	Practice: Press the button below to open Cimatron with a practice ELT file similar to that used to create the movie (if the relevant feature already exists in the ELT file, you can either edit it or delete it and create a new feature).
Fillet > Constant Radius
Fillet > Variable Radius

Required Step 1

1. Enter a value for the Max. Gap parameter.
   (The Parameters section below provides a definition of the Max. Gap parameter as well as the other parameters available for this function.)

2. PickPick(left mouse button) the first set of faces - Picked faces are displayed in brown.
   

3. When you have finished selecting the first set of faces, exitexit(middle mouse button) to proceed to Required Step 2.
   
   In the example above, all vertical faces have been picked (shown highlighted in green).

   Cimatron performs a check after a set of faces are selected. Any gaps within a group of faces that exceed the Max. Gap value are highlighted on screen, these gaps must be removed before you can proceed. The gap may be a space between edges or excessive overlap, and may only affect a portion of the highlighted edge.

Required Step 2

1. Pick the faces for the second set - Faces selected in the first step are displayed in green. Faces picked in this step are displayed in brown.
   

2. When you have finished selecting the second set of faces, exitexit(middle mouse button) to proceed to Required Step 3.
   
   In the image above, faces selected in the second set are highlighted in purple.

   Cimatron performs a check after a set of faces are selected. Any gaps within a group of faces that exceed the Max. Gap value are highlighted on screen, these gaps must be removed before you can proceed. The gap may be a space between edges or excessive overlap, and may only affect a portion of the highlighted edge.

Required Step 3

1. Set the parameters as required and optionally edit the direction arrows for each set.
   

2. The following parameters are displayed (The Parameters section below provides a complete list of parameters available for this function with their definitions).

   Constant Radius parameters	Variable Radius parameters
   Note that the Fillet preview is displayed (as per the Round / Flat parameter).

Trim Split Status indicators

The colors applied to the preview indicate which faces have been designated for trimming or splitting during the fillet operation. The darker or lighter shades of the set colors (purple and green) show which faces will be trimmed or split.

• Faces in Set 1 that are not selected for Trim or Split are displayed in the darker shade of green.
  
• Faces in Set 2 that are not selected for Trim or Split are displayed in the darker shade of purple.
  
• Faces in either set that are selected for Trim or Split are shown in a lighter shade of their assigned color.
  

Optional Step (Constant Radius only) 

Fine tune your selection by picking any individual faces to include or exclude for Split or Trim. When you enter this step, the display colors highlight the Trim or Split status of the individual faces in each set.

1. Pick which of the selected faces you wish to remove or reselect for Split or Trim. As you pick the faces, the display color will toggle from red to the original color when deselected and from the original color (fillet faces that were not selected for split or trim) back to red when they are selected, to show the status of the face.
   • Single pick and box selection options are available.

   

2. In this image, a subset of the faces have been selected.
   
3. When you have finished, exit Optional Step 1 to return to Required Step 3.
   • If you selected any faces for Trim or Split in Optional Step 1, the parameter menu will identify which set has been edited by displaying Partial Trim or Partial Split. This is a status notification only and cannot be used for selection - Selection of individual faces to be trimmed or split is only available in Optional Step 1.
     
   • Selections made during the Optional Step 1 (Partial Trim or Partial Split) can be reset by selecting Trim All, Split All, or None from the dropdown.
     
4. Click OKOK or ApplyApply in the Feature Guide to complete the function. A fillet is created between the face sets. The faces highlighted in the red rectangle have been trimmed, other filleted faces have not.
   
5. When completed, the Fillet feature will appear in the Feature Tree.
   
   

Parameters

Constant Radius / Variable Radius	This toggle option defines the type of radius for the fillet. Constant Radius Define a fillet with a constant radius. ExampleExample See the Constant Radius-specific parameters below. Variable Radius Define a fillet with a variable radius. ExampleExample See the Variable Radius-specific parameters below.
Extend / Don't Extend	When working with non-periodic groups (when the Guide Curve is not closed), this toggle parameter defines whether or not the ends of the fillet face (or group of fillet faces) will be extended to meet the boundaries of the input faces. In case of a closed Guide Curve, this parameter does not affect the result. ExampleExample
First Set  Second Set	These parameters are not editable (are grayed out) and only function as descriptors for the two sets of faces that are defined in Required Step 1 and Required Step 2. Each set has a parameter displayed directly below it that features a dropdown list for the Trim All / Split All / None parameter that allows you to trim all faces, split all faces, or retain the original faces in a set.
Normal / By Direction	This parameter enables you to create a normal fillet or create a fillet by defining a direction.  Normal Create a normal fillet. ExampleExample By Direction Create a fillet by defining a direction. The direction arrow is displayed (the default is the Z direction of the active UCS). This option displays a third vector, and the radius size you choose will be kept normal to it. ExampleExample Define the Direction In this example, "Along X"   Results using By Direction
Max. Gap	This parameter allows you to define the Max. Gap tolerance value between the neighboring faces. If the gaps between the neighboring faces are smaller than the Max Gap value, fillets are created and healed to each other. If they are larger, the fillets are not created and a warning is displayed. The initial default tolerance value is defined in Preferences, which also includes a preference setting for the tolerance range. The value for the Max. Gap parameter is defined in Required Step 1. For subsequent steps, the parameter is grayed out and cannot be edited unless you return to Required Step 1.  Note: Cimatron performs a check after a set of faces are selected. Any gaps within a group of faces that exceed the Max. Gap value are highlighted on screen, these gaps must be removed before you can proceed. The gap may be a space between edges or excessive overlap, and may only affect a portion of the highlighted edge.
Round / Flat	This toggle parameter defines the resulting fillet as either Round or Flat. ExampleExample Round Flat When the Constant Radius option is used, a fillet preview  is displayed between the selected sets of faces. This preview changes according to the Round or Flat option selected. Note that the result of the fillet face Flat option is not the same as the result produced by the Solid > Chamfer function. With the Solid > Chamfer function, the chamfer is created according to the distance from the corner edge. The Fillet face Flat option is created according to the imaginary round fillet face. ExampleExample   In the Solid > Chamfer function, the chamfer is created according to the distance from the corner edge. The Fillet face Flat option is created based on the imaginary round fillet face.   The Solid > Chamfer result together with the outline of the fillet face Flat option. The Fillet face Flat option result is based on the round fillet face (shown below). The Fillet face Flat result.
Trim All / Split All / None	Toggle parameter that is available for each set of fillet faces (selected in Required Step 1 and Required Step 2) that allows you to trim all faces in a set, split all faces in a set, or retain the original faces in a set. Individual faces can be selected or deselected in Optional Step 1. Trim All Trim all faces in a set. This is the default option.  ExampleExample Original Faces Results of Trim All Split All Split all faces in a set at the new Fillet boundaries. Use Split All for cases where it will yield better results than Trim All. For example, to develop a smooth binder that can be pulled off the part. ExampleExample Original Faces Results of Split All None The original faces in a set are not changed; they remain the same. ExampleExample Original Faces Results of None Partial Trim / Partial Split Status indicator only - Specific individual faces have been selected for Trim or Split in Optional Step 1.
Constant Radius-specific parameters
Constant Radius	Define a fillet with a constant radius. ExampleExample
Radius	Enter the desired constant Radius for the fillet. The Radius can either be set by entering the required value into the field or selecting to take the information from existing geometry (see the definition for this button below).
	Define the radius value by picking an arc, cylindrical face, torus face, or a point (for point, see the note below). The Radius value is set according to the radius value of the selected geometry (the value is not associative to the selected geometry. This is simply a quick way of setting the radius based on existing geometry). ExamplesExamples Note the current radius value. Click  and pick the appropriate geometry. An arc and cylindrical face example are shown below. Pick an edge: Pick a face: The Radius value is set according to the radius value of the selected geometry. The final applied fillet uses the updated radius. Note: A point can also be used to define the radius value. To enable you to pick a point, manually select the Point option in the Selection Filter. This automatically selects the Close to Face point filter option. This enables you to pick the closest point to any face (except a planar or planar nurb) and the minimum radius at this point is selected.
Variable Radius-specific parameters
Variable Radius	Define a fillet with a variable radius. ExampleExample To set variable radius values for the fillet, pick any point on the First or Second set of picked faces or on their edges. You can use any of the Point Selection options to select the points. A parameter label is attached to each picked point. Edit the parameter labels to set the radius value at each point. The point is also marked with a preview arc displaying the size and shape of the intended fillet using the current parameter values. ExampleExample
Linear Transition / Spline Transition	This toggle parameter defines the type of transition between the various radii.  Linear Transition Define a linear transition between the variable round radii. ExampleExample Spline Transition Define a spline transition between the variable round radii. ExampleExample
Remove All Figures	Click this parameter to remove all the radius value labels from the display.

Multi-Face example of external sharp corner

Required Step 1

PickPick(left mouse button) the first set of faces - As they are picked, faces are displayed in brown; When you exit this step they are displayed in green.

Required Step 2

Pick the faces for the second set - As they are picked, faces are displayed in brown; When you exit this step they are displayed in purple.

Required Step 3:

Set parameters as required.

Click OK or Apply in the Feature Guide to complete the function.

Results with Trim All

Results with None

 

Some functionality may be dependent on the product package. Contact your Reseller if you require a license.