Part Thickness

Part Thickness
Menu location
Part → Thickness...
Workbenches
Part
Default shortcut
None
Introduced in version
-
See also
Part Offset, PartDesign Thickness

Description

The Part Thickness command works on a solid shape and transforms it into a hollow object, giving to each of its faces a defined and constant thickness. On some solids it allows you to significantly speed up the work, and avoids making extrusions and pockets.

Hollowed out half of a sphere

Usage

1. Select one or more faces of an existing solid.
2. There are several ways to invoke the command:
   • Press the Thickness... button.
   • Select the Part → Thickness... option from the menu.
3. A Thickness object is created and the Thickness task panel opens.
   • Set the parameters (see Options).
   • Optionally press the Faces button to reselect one or more faces.
4. Press OK to close the task panel.

Options

• Thickness: Wall thickness of the resulting object, set the desired value.
  • A positive value will offset the faces outward
  • A negative value will offset the faces inward
• Mode
  • Skin: Only this mode is currently implemented in OCC.
  • Pipe: This mode has no effect as it's currently not implemented in OCC.
  • Recto Verso: This mode has no effect as it's currently not implemented in OCC.
• Join Type
  • Arc: Removes the outer edges and creates a fillet with a radius equal to the thickness defined.
  • Tangent: Results in sharp corners.
  • Intersection: Results in sharp corners.
• Intersection: When enabled, self-intersections in some models are avoided.
• Self-intersection: This option is currently not implemented in OCC and should be left with the default value (false).
• Faces: Select the faces to be removed, then click Done.
• Update view: Automatically updates the view in real time.

Notes

• App Link objects linked to the appropriate object types can also be used as source objects. introduced in 0.20
• Complex shapes may produce bizarre, hard to predict results. Carefully inspect the resulting shape and save your work before applying the operation.
• As noted in the OCC documentation and mentioned in the Options section, some options are not implemented yet.

Links

A good example on how to use this command on the forum: Re: Help designing a simple enclosure

Examples

Hollow cylinder

1. Create Cylinder with radius 10mm and height 20mm
2. Select the top and bottom surface of the cylinder
3. Click on the Thickness button (no need to change default settings) and press OK

Notes:

• For this shape, consider using Tube instead.
• Select the cylinder's top surface only to create a receptacle.

Box enclosure