Extrude Feature - CREO Parametric

1. Introduction

Extrude is a feature, creates protrusion geometries in 3d. A base sketch is mandatory for extrude feature. The base sketch is integrated along a straight path in the extrude feature. The geometry created by extrude feature can be material addition type or material removal type. The example of extrude feature is shown below in the Figure 1:

Figure 1

In this model the base sketch (shown in Figure 2) is protruded along a straight line to create the desired model.

2. Uses:

Extrude is widely used in CAD modelling Software. In extrude feature, the sections can be a simple section consisting few entities or complex section with many entities. Section consists of few entities are less-time consuming to create and easily editable. Section with complex and more entities are more time consuming to create and often difficult to edit. In some situations, it is also advantageous to create multiple extrusion of simple feature to create a complete geometry than creating a complex geometry in one extrusion. The following figures illustrates Extrude section with simple and complex entities:

Figure 2

Figure 3: Simple Block with Extrude Feature

Figure 4: A machine part with Extrude Feature

3. Options in Extrude:

1. Make Surface

It creates the extrusion as surface instead of solid. Example Figure 5: The boundaries of the sketch are extruded as surface.

Figure 5

2. Thicken the part:

This option adds thickness to the boundaries of sketch during extrusion. Example Figure 6 shown below:

Figure 6

3. Select External Sketch:

First creating a sketch and the select the sketch for extrusion is better while creating a complex sketch or a sketch to be used multiple times. Since any error in the extrusion feature may create an invalid geometry, the separate sketch often found stable and saves times under conflicting scenarios. However, creating separate sketch adds a separate sketch entity in the model tree, which will unnecessarily lengthen the tree size.

4. Side 1 and Side 2:

Extrusion can have different value for side 1 and side 2 keeping the sketch plane in principle position. Example Figure 7:

Figure 7

5. Addition of Taper:

This option adds taper value to the model. This option is very useful to create casting model where taper is necessary for removal of the product from casting. Example Figure 8:

Figure 8

4. Example of use of Extrude feature in CREO Parametric 4.0

Basic use of Extrude feature includes use the extrude feature for simple components.

Steps:

Figure 9

5. When it is appropriate to use?

Extrude Feature is appropriate to use for most simple block and orthogonal geometries. For complex geometries, multiple extrudes with different sections are better. It is a good practise to follow manufacturing procedure of the material for creation of 3D model.