Help with creating useable components out of .skp file

[Anonymous]

Hi all. Need to have a model of a PeliCase 1600 for work. Unfortunately, the files that PeliCase gives out are laughable garbage. Simple rectangles....

Anyways, the only Pelicase 1600 model I was able to find that wasn't an .spk or DAE was behind a paywall (3Dcadbrowser)

So it looks as if I'm stuck with making the .spk work.

I'm able to create the components I need. Top, Bottom, Handle, Hinge piece

However - once I create those components... I have no way to align them and create joints as there are no faces. I also need to be able to slightly modify (some holes) in the body of the case. 

I'm not sure of the best way to make this work well. If anybody can give some advice, it would be much appreciated. I'll attach some files and pictures. 

*Looks like I can't attach a .spk - here is the link to where I got it. https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/94995584-16d8-4c2e-bf2c-f8ae5726310e/Unmodified-Pelican-1600-... *

Thanks,

Sydney

[Phil.E]

Lots of pelican cases made with real solid modeling tools on GrabCAD.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the suggestion - I think I looked through everything on there. Unfortunately... for how 'standard' of a case the 1600 looks like... there aren't many models of it floating around 😞

There are two unlabeled that look very close on grabcad, but IIRC I checked them and they were all slightly too small in length with a few other small discrepancies. Will double check  tomorrowa work though

[Phil.E]

Just curious, why not model your own case? It sounds like you have a very specific design in mind, and know all the sizes. The examples on GrabCAD demonstrate it's not hard to model one. (they are quite simple designs/shapes) 

Another question, if you don't mind, why do you need a perfectly modeled case like this? Perhaps if I knew what you were after I could help in more meaningful ways.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, there aren't very amazing answers to any of your questions...

So - the case is used as a control box for a product that we have. We are building a brand new control box for a new product, using the same PeliCase, and using some of the same organizational aspects inside of the box used for the old product - but also taking everything that we thought was ****ty, and finding new ways to put every component in the box and route the wires, etc. 

The simple answer for the 'perfect model' - I don't. The production manager I report to doesn't either, but it would look nice on the blown up views we print and put on our walls. I could get by with a rectangle with radius'd corners. However - the people not part of the engineering team - finance, marketing, etc... they won't like the 'simple box' - even if you explain to them exactly why it was used...  they would like a nice, modeled case, as it's what we actually use in practice. So in short - cause bull****, as always(?)

To finish off - I could model the case, it's just that I'm trying not to given the fact I already have a perfect mesh model of it. I just need to make some aspects of the mesh model sketchable on, as well as the ability to relatively accurately align parts inside of it - which seems hard without a face to snap it to. 

[Phil.E]

Got it. I think what you want is totally reasonable. You are doing design that relies on an accurate model for many valid reasons, not the least of which is a nice picture.

I'll take a closer look at your .skp file to see what can be done. No promises but I'd like to check out the workflow you need to see what happens or if we can improve it. This is a good case, pardon the pun. 

[Phil.E]

I'm not having a lot of luck with your model. Mesh files are not built for Brep modeling.

I did find another source, did you try anything like this? https://www.3dcadbrowser.com/3d-model/pelican-case-model-1600

[Anonymous]

Thanks for trying to help. Unfortunately, that model is behind a paywall once you register. I don't seem to be in immediate need of a working accurate model of the box, so I'll try to dig deeper sometime