Adding a shell loft feature

Context:

You add a shell loft feature by creating two or more sections from selected edges and by defining one or more loft paths. Loft sections, a loft path, and the resulting shell loft feature are illustrated in the following figure:

You can allow Abaqus/CAE to define a single loft path using a smooth path to connect the center of each loft section. If you allow Abaqus/CAE to define the path, you can apply tangency methods to the start and end sections of the loft. The curve and tangencies define the path of the loft feature between sections. Alternatively, you can define one or more loft paths by selecting curves that connect a point on each loft section to a point on the next loft section. Each loft path must provide a continuous line connecting each consecutive loft section. If a loft path is not smooth (if there is more than one tangent to any point along the path), Abaqus/CAE will display an error message when you try to create the loft. For more information about loft sections, loft paths, and loft tangencies, see What is lofting?.

Note:

You do not use the Sketcher while adding a loft feature. As a result, all of the edges that define the loft sections and the loft paths must exist in the part geometry before you create the loft. To create a loft path or to create a nonplanar loft section, you can use the tool, located with the wire tools in the Part module toolbox, to create a spline wire (see Adding a point-to-point wire feature, for more information).

From the main menu bar, select ShapeShellLoft.

Abaqus/CAE displays prompts in the prompt area to guide you through the procedure.

Tip: You can also add a shell loft feature using the

tool, located with the shell tools in the Part module toolbox. For a diagram of the tools in the Part module toolbox, see Using the Part module toolbox.

The Edit Loft dialog box appears.

Create the loft sections by selecting edges from the part in the viewport. See Creating loft sections, for detailed instructions on creating loft sections.
Toggle on Keep internal boundaries to maintain any faces or edges that are generated between the lofted shell feature and the existing part. The internal boundaries may create regions that can be structured or swept meshed without having to resort to partitioning.
When you have finished creating the loft sections, click on the Transition tab in the Edit Loft dialog box.
Do one of the following:
- Click Select path to create the loft path (or paths) by selecting edges from the part in the viewport.
- Click Specify tangencies to create the loft path (or paths) by using loft tangencies.
See Creating a loft path, for detailed instructions on creating a loft path.
Click Preview.
Abaqus/CAE displays a wireframe representation of the loft that would be created with your current settings.
If desired, you can add or remove loft sections, change the loft path definition method, or edit the loft tangency options to change the shape of the loft feature. Click Preview to see the effect of your changes in the viewport.
If desired, you can have Abaqus/CAE test for self-intersection as it creates the loft feature. This test prevents creating a feature that would be difficult or impossible to mesh and analyze, but it becomes computationally expensive as the complexity of the loft feature increases. For more information, see Self-intersection checks. To use self-intersection checks, select FeatureOptions to open the Feature Options dialog box, and toggle on Perform self-intersection checks.
Click Done to create the loft and to close the Edit Loft dialog box.
If you choose to test for self-intersection and the test fails, the Edit Loft dialog box will reappear so that you can make changes. Otherwise, the shell loft feature is created in the viewport.