3D geometry based on polyline constraints

[oliver.pec]

Hello,

I need to create a dynamic block that´s based on an inclined conveyor (for transport of totes and cartons) to connect conveyors on different heights with each other.

I attached a screenshot of the basic parameters I need and how the block should basically look like in ISO view.

By using constraints and polylines, I already achieved a dynamic block, but my problem is, that I don´t really know how I can do the side geometry (green).

The dark middle section is easy, only an associative surface extrude out of the polylines.

As far as I extracted from researches on the net, there is no possibility to use volumetric bodies?

Or would this only be possible to create something like a scripted block?

Has anyone an idea of how to achieve this, because I couldn´t really find anything.

[j.palmeL29YX]

Attached an example how you can create the "side geometry" (based on your specifications). 

You can change the four values in the properties window or dragging the grips. >>Click for demo<<. 

If you need a more detailed explanation post your block please. 

If my reply solves your problem, click the "accept as solution" button. This can help others find solutions faster

[oliver.pec]

Hello  j.palmeL29YX,

Thanks for your reply, and yes: technically that would definetely solve my problem.

I also had success by sweeping the different sections (green / black) along the guide curve, which I also constrained quite similar to your approach, so thank you.

But I as I need to turn it into a block that is easy to handle and meets our requirements, I have two other questions:

I attached a picture. Here you can see, that the conveyor will be inserted in the way, that you can see the side faces in Z-axis direction
But I would need the block to be automatically rotated -90° around the X-axis (so it is aligned "correctly").
I want to avoid to rotate it manually for a better usability for our designers
Is this possible to achieve?

Height and angle at the moment are geometric constrained values. Is it possible to link them to attribute fields? I need to visualize some key values in the block

 

[j.palmeL29YX]

to 1st question:

Parametric constraints work only in the XY-plane. So you must draw the guide curves whose dimensions you want to vary in the XY-plane.
One possibility to get the block reference automatically rotated can be, to use a macro similar to this:
^C^C_UCS;X;90;_insert;your_block_name;\;;;_UCS;x;-90

Of course you can modify it to your needs. 

>>Demo<<

to 2nd question: 

Do you really need attributes for some purposes? I'm not sure what you mean with "I need to visualize some key values"? 

Do you want a table where the values are listed? 

Or do you want to see the values like dimensions (similar to your image above)? 

Please show an example what you expect  (or describe more detailed). 

[oliver.pec]

Okay, then my first question is answered, thank you 🙂

Regarding 2nd question:

Yes, I need attributes. In the picture attached, you can see a simple conveyor  with visible information about e.g.: insertion point Z-value (FOK), total length (FL) and so on.
This is necessary because we calculate our solutions in an excel file and need to go manually through our layouts.

And we also need to see that information in the drawings so our manufacturer has an overview of the elements needed for the whole facility.

It is planned to have some sort of an automatic export (at the moment I am working on a prototype using "ATTEXT") but this may take a while until we can fully integrate it in our workflow

[j.palmeL29YX · Accepted solution]

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@oliver.pec wrote:

Yes, I need attributes. 

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The short answer: Use BlockPlaceholders

The more detailed answer: >>Click<<