Update loft with parameter change

[m_kesselEA5K6]

Hi,

I am currently working on a grooved curved spike. I am using the loft function to create the grooves from top to bottom circle. I have put a parameter to change the count of the triangles on both top and bottom circle sketches. However, when I change this parameter it changes the amount of triangles but the grooves stay at the same number. I know, it is just a simple deletion of the lofting function and creating a new loft to change the grooves to the newly set number, but I was wondering if there is a way to make the lofted grooves change with my parameter change. Also if I change it, the grooves seem to do some really weird stuff.

In the pictures you first see the newly lofted 9 groove spike, followed by the parameter change 9>11 triangles, and a zoomed in view on how the top looks with the parameter change.

So the goal is: Automatically update the groove numbers with the parameter change.

[g-andresen]

Hi,

please share the file for reply.

File > export > save as f3d on local drive > attach to post

günther

[m_kesselEA5K6]

@g-andresen 

[davebYYPCU]

Do not pattern the sketch, (not recommended and will avoid this result)

Make one flute, pattern the flute.  

Change of parameter effects the gap, and not the material.

Might help….

[TrippyLighting]

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@davebYYPCU wrote:

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Make one flute, pattern the flute.  

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I wonder how you'd make that work in this design?

[TrippyLighting]

How important is it for you that the top remains to be circular, or would it be OK if it becomes oval ?

[TrippyLighting · Accepted solution]

Here's a version that looks a little different from yours but here you can simply modify the number of groove instances and it will update parametrically. 

I do expect it to fail at some point as the sheet metal tool sems to induce some small precision error.

[m_kesselEA5K6]

Amazing! Will have a look at the model right now, think this will be close to what I want and should be able to work out the rest! If not I'll hit you up again! Thanks!

[m_kesselEA5K6]

Okay... So your knowledge and skill in fusion is obviously much greater than mine. I have a couple of wishes which I can't seem to manage with the model you provided.
I want the grooves to be on a 170 degree symmetrical pattern (when spike is facing up the bottom part). Furthermore, I would like the top part to be on a face parallel to the bottom. Also I added a parameter in which I could change the groove count. Could you give me a quick help with this I can't seem to make these changes without getting a lot of errors.

The stitch function seems to be the main issue but maybe you (or somebody else) have a workaround again.

Thanks in advance!

[TrippyLighting]

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@m_kesselEA5K6 wrote:

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I want the grooves to be on a 170 degree symmetrical pattern (when spike is facing up the bottom part).

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That can be done.

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@m_kesselEA5K6 wrote:

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Furthermore, I would like the top part to be on a face parallel to the bottom...

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With the sheet metal bend technique I used, that cannot be done. You could slit the top off, but then the overall shape of the top face is oval rather than circular. That's why I asked the question how important that is 😉

A fully user parameter-driven design will require compromise in this case.

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@m_kesselEA5K6 wrote:

...Also I added a parameter in which I could change the groove count...

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Easy to do.

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@m_kesselEA5K6 wrote:

..The stitch function ...

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The stitch feature shouldn't even be necessary. It's just a workaround for an unexpected issue when using the sheet metal tools. I will report this as an improvement request somewhere else.

[TrippyLighting]

Here is a screencast that explains how I created that object. It will take about an hour from the time of this post to see the higher-resolution versions:

[JamieGilchrist]

Hi @m_kesselEA5K6,

I'm glad you got it resolved.  While @TrippyLightings solution works I think it's a bit overly complicated for what you're trying to achieve (sorry Peter 😁),  I have a bit simpler means of handling this, that works but will still require editing of 1 loft.
So I ended up using your triangle wedges as part of the 1 lofted shape, and generally, I would not use sketch patterns as @davebYYPCU suggests however, there are always exceptions to that rule and I think this is a good example of an acceptable exception.

I'm working under the assumption that you want the pattern to go all the way round, if not, then leaving it at 170 degrees will still work.

I'll make a sample file for you (the image here was built in our development branch which won't work in your version of Fusion)

as you can see the timeline is greatly simplified here.  The only caveat is when your pattern increases in quantity you'll have to edit the Loft feature and clear and re-select your two profiles, but not when the pattern decreases though.  I'd say it's not 100% what you're looking for but it will be easy to edit and get you to results quickly. 

[TrippyLighting]

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@JamieGilchrist wrote:

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While @TrippyLightings solution works I think it's a bit overly complicated for what you're trying to achieve (sorry Peter 😁), 

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It definitely is complicated 😉

It was more of a challenge to make it fully user parameter driven, without the need having to re-select stuff.