thschrader wrote: ↑Sun Sep 12, 2021 2:50 pm
@Laurie:
We need a better approach for drafting the structure.
Changing the geometry is impossible, we need a parametric design. Sketcher only?
How to add hinges (= subdivide beams)? curves-wb, "discretize edge" tool?
Thanks for the explanation on the reactions Thomas. Its starting to fall in to place for me now.
On the need for a parametric design and Sketcher. I think I can make a start on that. This would be my approach:-
Sketcher with Spreadsheet Workbenches
Square on square grid size = 1500 (or whatever)
Therefore chord length = xxxx
Therefore strut length = xxxx
Therefore plan brace length = xxxx
SHS section size of chord = xxxx (eg 65)
SHS section thickness of chord = xxxx (eg 4)
SHS section size of strut = xxxx (eg 50)
SHS section thickness of strut = xxxx (eg 4)
SHS section size of plan brace = xxxx (eg 50)
SHS section thickness of chord = xxxx (eg 4)
Dimensions of “node cube” = H x W x D (I can get the volume of my node from the model
Switch to Part Design Work Bench
Create circular bar chord based on sketcher dimensions
Create circular bar strut based on sketcher dimension
Create circular bar plan brace based on sketcher dimension
Create solid cube based on sketcher dimensions
Switch to Assembly 2 workbench
Assemble base model from parts created using Array tool
Maybe a macro to define “bays (“wedges”?) long x bays (wedges) wide.
Then I do what I always used to do - hand it over to the engineers to do the serious stuff in the FEM workbench.
Before I start ——- Am I on the right track??
EDIT: - apologies - I overlooked your reference to the curves workbench (I did not know about it) - it looks interesting. I have made a start on the sketcher/spreadsheet geometry but I will investigate the curve workbench in more detail before proceeding.