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Workflow for hexnuts that doesnt hose solver? (by Daniel Lewis)
Tl;dr -- What are your SolveSpace workflows?


I'm working on a robot arm in SolveSpace and using the trapped-nut mounting design for 3d printing.

example nut model: https://puu.sh/x5SZT/bb5c46a039.png



The problem I keep running into is that once I've introduced the dozen-or-so hexnuts to difference into the main model the constraint solver stops solving and all points become independently moveable.


Ideas I've had:

- DXF import.

It makes sense to import a static pre-constrained 2d CAD file and extrude it, if the dimensions can be exempt from the solver. DXF allows us to extrude for differencing and union, but DXF import does not fully-constrain the sketch or exempt it from the solver.

- Linkages.

Linkages *are* unchangable from the assembly file, so they may be exempt from the solver! Is it normal practice to load a bunch of "linkages" into a file to separate the complex and/or reusable portions of a model?

- Grouping to fully-constrain

If there were a way to "group" a subset of my model and call it fully-constrained to exempt it's internal constraints from the solver, I would definitely use that! This is admittedly similar to Linkages, but within the same file.



How do you folks use SolveSpace for big projects?
Wed Aug 9 2017, 14:34:29
(no subject) (by User1)
> What are your SolveSpace workflows? I'm working on a robot arm in SolveSpace

Interesting, because I also working on "6DoF robot arm"

http://hnng.moe/f/T7X

> Linkages *are* unchangable from the assembly file

It changable!

1) Try open assembly and any part already linked in two separeted window.

2) Now edit this part and save it

3) Switch to window where assembly model opened and press "Space" tab

4) Magic! ;-)
Wed Aug 9 2017, 19:56:48
(no subject) (by Daniel Lewis)
It'll reload dependencies? Neat!

That's a pretty hot robot arm! How are you going to mount the motors?
Thu Aug 10 2017, 01:02:18
(no subject) (by User1)
> How are you going to mount the motors?

Its hard to me tell all process of linking each half-arms to each other, because its dirty concept.

This week I will finish it and publish more screens and step-by-step instruction (maybe screencast too), so wait a little.
Thu Aug 10 2017, 04:25:42
(no subject) (by User1)
> It'll reload dependencies? Neat!

Yeah. Also, as a tip, you could try do this:

1) Design your hexnut as line segment (like main axis of it) and save it as separate "hexnut.slvs";

2) Create new file that would be main assembly file - "my-asm.slvs";

3) Design your assembled model and link and locate "hexnut.slvs" for all needed hexnuts placements;

4) When you finish your assembly save it and open separate window for finish "hexnut.slvs";
5) Finish geometry of hexnut in "hexnut.slvs" and save it;
6) Switch back to window with "my-asm.slvs" and push "Space" tab.
7) Now you are ready to export complete assembly in needed format.


P.S.: This is only one of many possible ways create assembly that include manycparts
Thu Aug 10 2017, 06:51:36
(no subject) (by Daniel Lewis)
I decided last night I'm going to leave the motor-mount holes out until the assembly file, that seems to make the most sense.

Do you know if there's any way to link an slvs file by relative path?



Also, if you make your files public somewhere (like github) I'd love to take a look at them :), maybe even contribute!
Thu Aug 10 2017, 16:32:07
(no subject) (by User1)
> Do you know if there's any way to link an slvs file by relative path?

As I know, SolveSpace firstly try search linked files in same folder, where main assembly file stored. If it couldn't find it in same folder then try use direct link (path from where part was linked). But need read the docs on assembly deeply.


> Also, if you make your files public somewhere (like github) I'd love to take a look at them :), maybe even contribute!

Of course, I will let you know when finaly create such repo (has plan for do it this week)

Currently follow repositary, where I will collect my expirence on Reddit CAD Challenge tasks completing using SolveSpace (and maybe some other FLOSS CAD's, such as QCAD, LibreCAD, FreeCAD etc.)

http://github.com/symbian9/reddit_cad_challenge
Thu Aug 10 2017, 20:02:34
Github repos ... (by Roland Frank)
> http://github.com/symbian9/reddit_cad_challenge

I already made some parts and Eric Buijs even made two videos
about Reddit CAD challenge parts.
Do you accept pull requests ?

> (and maybe some other FLOSS CAD's, such as QCAD, LibreCAD, FreeCAD etc.)
For FreeCAD you could take a look here:
https://github.com/gsegura96/CAD-Challenge

But that is different.
There are several workflows possible in FreeCAD ...

BTW:
I did publish a first "Basic sample parts"-project for solvespace on GrabCAD.
https://grabcad.com/library/basic-parts-collection-1-1
Since GrabCAD does not yet support native solvespace files
I had to upload a neutral format as well (I chose OBJ).
Fri Aug 11 2017, 08:09:47
(no subject) (by whitequark)
@Daniel, I like your "Group" idea.
Fri Aug 11 2017, 08:12:12
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