Best practices for re-usable features.

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sliptonic
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Best practices for re-usable features.

Post by sliptonic »

I'm working on a design that uses t-slot connectors in laser-cut acrylic like in these images. The 'feature' is really corresponding features on two different bodies. I need to reproduce it in many different places on several different bodies.

In dream-land, I would be able to model the different parts of the connection feature. The whole thing would be fully parametric but could be arbitrarily placed. I imagine being able to select a point where two faces meet in an assembly and clicking the 'put a t-slot joint here button'. The holes would appear on one body and the slots/tabs would appear on the other.

I know I can't get there with FreeCAD but I want to find a workflow that minimizes rework. I'll put all the important dimensions in a spreadsheet and refer to them in the constraints to make it easier to update. But how can I reuse the feature design in multiple bodies? What's the best way to model something like this?
biased-box-corner-with-pettis-joints.png
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pettis-joint.png
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meme2704
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Re: Best practices for re-usable features.

Post by meme2704 »

hi
In your case, I will build a library of "puncher" (in orange) which I will place juditiously for each use
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chrisb
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Re: Best practices for re-usable features.

Post by chrisb »

I had a similar task with dovetail joints, It was really a hassle and I did not come up with a satisfying solution. So I would like to see a fruitful discussion here.
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quick61
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Re: Best practices for re-usable features.

Post by quick61 »

Have a look at the LCInterlocking addon workbench. Don't know how good or usable it is, but it looks along the lines of what your looking for.

Mark
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DeepSOIC
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Re: Best practices for re-usable features.

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sliptonic
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Re: Best practices for re-usable features.

Post by sliptonic »

2019-05-13_18-57.png
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I've tried to learn Lattice2 a couple times and given up. I stuck with it today for several hours and made some headway. :D I'm absolutely thrilled. This is so awesome. I may have to do a video on just this one feature!

Lattice2 is a crazy-powerful tool. It can do amazing things which I think many users would kill to have. And I'm sure I'm barely scratching the surface!

But, I'm going to offer one unsolicited opinion: the user interface is not for ordinary mortals.There's just TOO MUCH here.

It gives me this feeling:
funny-wenger-swiss-army-knife-amazon-reviews-2.jpg
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DeepSOIC
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Re: Best practices for re-usable features.

Post by DeepSOIC »

sliptonic wrote: Tue May 14, 2019 12:18 am I've tried to learn Lattice2 a couple times and given up. I stuck with it today for several hours and made some headway. I'm absolutely thrilled
I'm glad you made it!


sliptonic wrote: Tue May 14, 2019 12:18 am It gives me this feeling: funny-wenger-swiss-army-knife-amazon-reviews-2.jpg
Yea, that's quite a problem.
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sliptonic
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Re: Best practices for re-usable features.

Post by sliptonic »

phpBB [video]
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DeepSOIC
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Re: Best practices for re-usable features.

Post by DeepSOIC »

sliptonic wrote: Sat May 25, 2019 6:04 pm video
What a great video! :mrgreen:
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Re: Best practices for re-usable features.

Post by cox »

DeepSOIC wrote: Sat May 25, 2019 7:01 pm
sliptonic wrote: Sat May 25, 2019 6:04 pm video
What a great video! :mrgreen:
Indeed!!!, and what an awesome workbench :-) for a beautiful 3D modeller :-) Tanks again, all involved!!!!
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