How to Create a Knurl Texture

Follow these steps to learn how to create a knurled texture on CAD surfaces using a Conformal Lattice from CAD Face.

Set up the faces and bodies

• Start with any imported CAD Body
• Select the faces for knurling and create a  CAD Face List Variable 
• Convert the CAD bodies (main bodies and knurl body) to Implicit bodies by Implicit Body from CAD Body to be used in the last two steps

Create the Knurl Pattern

• Add a Conformal Lattice from CAD Face 
• Double-click in the Face Parameterization input and select Reparameterize CAD Face 
• In the Reparameterize block, set the CAD Face: CAD Face List Variable
• Origin Position: 0,0
• In the Conformal Lattice from CAD Face block, set the Unit Type: Square honeycomb Rotated
• UVW divisions: 15, 15, 5
• Offset distance: -0.1 mm

• Add a Thicken Body (the thickness will define the width of the knurl grooves)
• Body: Conformal Lattice from CAD Face
• Thickness: 0.001 mm
• Boolean Union the Thicken Body to convert from a list to a single body
• Blend Radius: 0 mm

Create the Knurl Texture

• Boolean Subtract the thickened lattice from the knurl section. This will cut into the surface and create the knurling texture
• Blend Type: Chamfered
• Blend Radius: 0.125 mm
• Primary Body: Implicit Knurl Body (from setting up the faces and bodies)
• Subtraction Body: Boolean Union (from creating the Knurl Pattern)

Bring it all Together

• Boolean Union the knurled part with the remaining bodies to complete the part
• Blend Type: Sharp
• Blend Radius: 0.0

Download the example file to follow along and try re-creating the steps on another section of the pen model. Watch the video below to see the knurling process in action.

  nTop Version 2.4.5 - Methods and Interface may have changed if you are using a different version