SolidWorks 2010 Bible

Chapter 27: Working with Surfaces

Knit Surface

The Knit Surface functionality is discussed previously in the terminology section as well as in the
Radiate Surface section.

If the knit operation results in a watertight volume, the Try to form solid option turns the volume

into a solid. You can also make a solid from a surface using two other functions. The Fill Surface

has an option to merge the fill with a solid or to knit it into a surface body; if the knit surface body

is closed, then it gives you the option to make it a solid. This is very nice, complete interface

design, with options that save you many steps. The Fill Surface feature is described in more detail

later in this chapter.

In SolidWorks 2010 the Knit feature has some important new functionality. The Gap Control

panel, shown in Figure 27.7 shows the gap between the edges of surfaces to be knit, and enables

you to see the gaps in a certain range and force gaps of less than a specified tolerance value, called

the Knitting Tolerance, to knit. This replaces the old Minimal Adjustment option in Knit, which

was SolidWorks did not go to any great length to help users understand. The Knitting Tolerance

tools are easier to understand and more powerful when it comes to forcing knit features to work.

FIGURE 27.7

Knitting Surfaces with gaps using tolerances

With all powerful tools the possibility of misusing the tool always exists. The ability to play with

tolerances is a double-edged sword. On one hand it gives you the ability to force surfaces to knit

which may have otherwise not knit at all. On the other hand, if you allow a larger tolerance,

SolidWorks may force together surfaces or edges that have problems that should be solved in other