To create an extruded shell feature, you sketch a profile and extrude it through a specified distance (d), as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1. An extruded shell feature.
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In addition, you can apply either draft or twist to the extrusion, as shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2. An extruded shell feature with draft and one with twist.
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You define the draft angle for an extrusion with draft or the center of twist and the pitch (the extrusion distance in which a 360° twist occurs) for an extrusion with twist. Select from the main menu bar to create this type of feature.
To create a shell loft feature, you transition the shape from the initial loft section to an end section of a different shape or orientation. Abaqus/CAE determines the shape between the start and end sections using tangency constraints, intermediate sections, and a path curve. A simple loft (with only two loft sections, no tangency constraints, and a straight path) is shown in Figure 3. Select from the main menu bar to create this type of feature.
Figure 3. A shell loft feature.
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To create a revolved shell feature, you sketch a profile and revolve it through a specified angle (α). A construction line serves as the axis of revolution, as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4. A revolved shell feature.
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In addition, you can enter a pitch value to translate the profile along the axis of revolution as it is revolved; Figure 5 shows a revolved shell with pitch.
Figure 5. A revolved shell feature with pitch.
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The dimension h represents the translation of the sketched profile due to pitch; h would be equal to the pitch if the part was revolved a full 360°. Select from the main menu bar to create this type of feature.
To create a swept shell feature, you sketch a profile and sweep it along a specified path, as shown in Figure 6.
Figure 6. A swept shell feature.
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Select from the main menu bar to create this type of feature. For more information, see Defining the sweep path and the sweep profile.
To create a planar shell feature, you sketch the outline of the shell on a selected planar face or datum plane, as shown in Figure 7.
Figure 7. A sketched shell feature.
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When you sketch on a planar face (for example, the side of a cube), the shell feature is created only where it extends beyond the face; a shell feature cannot overlap a face. A sketch on a planar face of a cube and the resulting shell feature are shown in Figure 7. In this example the shell feature is a fin extending beyond the selected face of the cube. Select from the main menu bar to create this type of feature.
To create a shell-from-solid feature, you convert the faces of a solid feature to shell features; in effect, hollow out a solid. A shell-from-solid feature is shown in Figure 8. Select from the main menu bar to create this type of feature.
Figure 8. A shell-from-solid feature.
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You can use any of the shell tools to add a shell feature to a part that you created in three-dimensional modeling space; however, when you are working on parts created in two-dimensional or axisymmetric modeling space, you can use only the planar shell tool to add a shell feature. You use the Property module to create a section prescribing the desired thickness and to assign the section to the shell feature. For more information, see Defining sections, and Which properties can I assign to a part?.
Many of the figures illustrate how the shell features might later be meshed. You can mesh a shell feature using: