Defining the Manufacturing Parameters

This page shows how to define the manufacturing parameters to create a light guide that can be manufactured.

To define the Manufacturing parameters:

Prerequisites: A Light Guide Body should already be defined.

The milling parameters can be set as constant, variable or file based whatever the operation selected (Add, Remove, Hybrid). For more information on the parameters, refer to the Manufacturing Parameters.

Make sure to apply consistent parameters values, otherwise you may generate prism with wrong shape. For instance, a milling radius larger than the prism size may generate wrong prism shape after applying the milling.

  1. Before setting the Top prism milling and/or Bottom prism milling parameters value, define its construction mode:
    • Select Constant to exclude parameter variation along the guide. This mode ensures milling parameters are constant along the guide curve.
    • Select Control points if you want to create parameter variation along the guide curve.
    • Select Input file to import a *.csv file defining the prism repartition along the light guide body.
      Note: When using *.csv files, make sure the regional settings and number format of the workstation are correctly defined. A dot "." should be defined as Decimal symbol.
      Tip: From the Design panel, right-click the light guide feature and click Export as CSV file to export all prisms parameters. The file can then be modified and used as input for light guide definition.
    • Select None if you do not want to apply a milling.
  2. Once the milling's construction mode is defined:
    • In case of a Constant mode, set the Parameter value that will be constant along the guide curve.
    • In case of a Control points mode:

      1. Click to add as many control points as needed.
      2. Set their Position along the curve. The position is expressed in % (a position of 50 places the control point in the middle of the guide).
      3. Define the parameter's value for each control point.
      Note: The variation is measured on the curve minus the Start and End.

    • In case of an Input file mode, browse and load the CSV file.

  3. Set Drafting to By angle if you want to create an angle between the demolding axis and the prism to ensure a safe removal of the guide from the mold.
    1. Select a Demolding axis.
    2. Define a Draft angle that takes into account the manufacturing constraints.
    Important: The Drafting may sometimes be incorrectly applied. Make sure to check the Drafting after computing the Light Guide, and increase it if necessary.
  4. Click Compute to build the feature.
The Light Guide is created and appears in the 3D view.