Re: Angled holes?
 

Elgin,

Thanks for the explanation. I think the method in SW is exactly how it would be done in IV, as shown by Andy's example.

Regards,
Henry

Re: Angled holes?
 

thank you very much for posting that Andy!! i neglected to look for a "work plane" button last time i tried, but now i figured it out and it's a lot easier.

Re: Angled holes?
 

The easiest way, in my opinion, would have to be the sweep command. It is a little confusing at first. Mainly because it uses two sketches. Just make a sketch with the hole drawn on it just like you would for an extrusion. Then make another sketch that shows what path you want to cut along. Then just select 'Sweep' and insert the two sketches. This should get you a near perfect cut. (It might mention a possible error about the cut not intersecting with the path but 99% of the time just ignore the warning.):cool:

Re: Angled holes?
 

Lol...i was thinking the same thing. i'm like "um...it's easy."

Re: Angled holes?
 

What I do is make 2 sketches. Draw the first one on where the hole will be. Offset a workplane to the depth of the hole and draw another circle on it. Then, use loft (shift+L) to connect the 2 circles and use the cut option and you have the angled hole!

Re: Angled holes?
 

I take back my advice on using the sweep command in this particular case because though you are cutting a circle, it is an ellipse on each surface. Unless you want to draw the ellipse, you can not use the sweep or loft. I would have to agree with others when they say to use the rotated work plane with extrude.

Re: Angled holes?
 

An angled work plane is perhaps the easiest, most direct approach. However, I would discourage the use of boolean subtraction (cutting a hole with an extrude command). The power of programs like Inventor and Solid works is that the models are parametric. By using a hole feature and constraining it's position with relations and dimensions, you can quickly and easily change the size, location thread treatment and depth of that hole, among other things. An extrusion is less flexible.

The rule of thumb is that if the hole is going to be drilled in some way, use a hole feature. If it is innate to the part, like in a casting or forging, use a cut hole (extrusion).

-Andy A.

Re: Angled holes?
 

It is trivial in Inventor. Create a sketch line at the desired angle to the axis. Exit sketch. Create a workplane by selecting the line and its endpoint. Create your hole at the endpoint. Done.

JD
Autodesk Inventor Certified Expert
Certified SolidWorks Professional