create structural shape of profile built from several different profiles

[mmatanlevi]

Hello,

In advance I would say that I saw similar post but I dont sure if it valid for here too. 

For the sake of the explanation, I want to build a frame of a window built from aluminium profile and rubber gasket. For this I make two different stractural shapes for each profile, this is by create each one in different part: sketch the profile section, then extrude it with distance (length) equal to "L=10" which create a driven length, and then create a structural shape. after that I insert them to a frame separately in a precise manner to ensure they located correctly in relation to one another. I wonder if I can make structural shape of both the aluminium and rubber in once to avoid inserting each one separately in the frame. Image attached to demonstrate it: the sketch contain the profile section of the aluminium and the rubber - I want to make this a structural shape built from different materials actually.

Thank you very much!

[henryjoseph9804]

Hi @mmatanlevi ,

This is definitely doable! What you want to do is use the multi-body solid methodology.

You have both sketch in the same ipt. you extrude both as separate bodies

From here you can 'push' the components into an assembly and it will automatically be grounded and in the place you sketched and extruded them in. This is good if you have no moving parts and just want components in the right position without having to constrain them.

 

After selecting "Make Components" you just follow the prompts and it will automatically create an assembly for you.

 

[mmatanlevi]

Hey, thank you very much! I actually didnt really understand the process.

1. I should extrude the sketch to two different bodies with "share sketch"?
2. In the distance of the extrude (of each body), what should I type? driven length isnt working in this case.
3. how do I "push" the components to assemly?
4. where is the part of create the structural shape?

sorry mate, if you could elaborate more about the process steps, it would be great.

[henryjoseph9804]

No Problem, it can be a bit confusing initially but once you understand it, it becomes a powerful tool.

To answer your questions:

1. Yes you could have both profiles in one sketch and then extrude the 1st body, then "Share Sketch" and extrude the 2nd body. (Make sure to select "New Solid" in the boolean output of the extrude window)

2. You can make a length inside of your sketch a driven dimension by right clicking on it and selecting driven dimension. Alternatively create a user parameter and just link your dimension to it.

3. You "push" the components/solid bodies by highlighting them under the solid bodies folder and selecting 'Make Components'

 

4. I dont think I totally understand what you're asking here, but what I would say is that the 'Structural shape' is determined by you and what you draw in your sketch. So you showed us an extrusion profile and the gasket you will use. Put that in the sketch, constrain the gasket profile to the extrusion profile. ( I have attached a dummy part of what I am talking about, attempt to 'push' the solids to an assembly)

[mmatanlevi]

Thank you mate! I just have one point missing. for structural shape creation I use to extrude and then when typing the length of the extrude (for example the length of the profile) I type "L=10" then its recognize it as driven length (I have attached a file for example).

When I do it on the sketch of the two parts, the one that we are talking about, I dont manage to do it (asking myself why). As far as I know, this is a crucial step to eventually creating a structural shape with this L as a parameter. 

sorry if there are other ways or something, Im a beginner.

[henryjoseph9804]

@mmatanlevi , no worries! Just glad you're grasping the general idea of it now. 

So, in regards to your 'L=10', I don't think i understand fully what you want here. 

If I were in this predicament i would avoid driven dimensions.

Easiest thing to do in my opinion is to create a user parameter, then link the necessary extrusions to it.

After clicking add numeric it opens a cell where you can create a user parameter

Once that is done, you create the extrusion, and just link it to the user parameter that you have created.

 

[mmatanlevi]

Great, thank you. I have already learn a lot from you. I did what you have said (file attached, the assmebly and the part): each body (extrusion) have its own parameter for the length of the extrusion (if I should link the same one parameter for all of them, let me know please). They "pushed" into an assembly, and now I would like to create a structural shape to eventually use it as a frame and do miters and all of that. The thing is that I cant find the Structural shape option in the assembly...

[henryjoseph9804]

In terms of whether you should like all the bodies to 'one' parameter, it is up to you and what the design intent is. If they will always be the same length then yes you can link them all to the same parameter.

Ahhh, well this is a different story! I did not understand that you wanted this to usable in a frame to do miters, notches etc.

Do you want this to be in Frame Generator as a section option? So that you can populate your line diagram with it? If so that is a little above what I know.

[mmatanlevi]

First of all thank you very much. Yes, my intention is to eventually use this as a frame. So I want to pack all the parts and use is like a single part for the frame, but apparantly it is impossible. Anyway I learn from this discussion. thanks again.

[henryjoseph9804]

So I don't think this is impossible, I just believe it'll take some setting up. 

There is most definitely a way to get custom profiles authored into inventor so that it can be used in frame generator. 

@CGBenner , @johnsonshiue are experts and should be able to provide a way to do this. They are very knowledgeable!!

[Frederick_Law]

Try make it single solid.  Maybe fill up some of the gaps to simplify the profile.  You'll need to calculate combined density to get correct weight.

You can just use one parameter for all the extrusion.

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I could be wrong but I don't think it is a supported workflow. The issue here is that Frame Generator assumes the frame member is one solid body with just one lump. If there are more than one bodies, the treatment operations may not work correctly.

Many thanks!

[mmatanlevi]

Thank you. Do you mean to "open" the sketch in the gaps so the extrusion would fill it all as one part? if yes, I did try it and it works, the drawback is that I cant select different materials or colors for the differents parts, obviously because it is actually a one part. If you didnt mean it, could you please elaborate about your suggestion please (note that Im a beginner in this software haha).