Frame generator: make the frame adaptive to sheets

[remidm]

Hello,

I'm trying to design a T-slotted frame with plexiglass sheets.

The size of the sheets is fixed.

I managed to create a frame and now I would like it to adapt to the size of the sheets based on constraints that I place.

On the image below, the red constraint cannot be resolved.

I've tried to make everything adaptive, but maybe I'm doing something wrong.

This is the skeleton with sketches on the faces.

Thanks for your help!

[kacper.suchomski]

Hi

The size of the frame depends on the skeleton. There's nothing stopping you from making your armature size dependent on your sheet size.

In the skeleton part file (the one you created yourself) insert (derive) a sheet and create adaptive skeleton dimensions relative to the sheet.

[remidm]

Hi, indeed this may work! Thanks

Although the frame rails have a given thickness, I wondered if there was a way to make it work with just constraints.

Thanks!

[kacper.suchomski]

Yes, it can be parameterized, taking into account rail thicknesses and any other dimensions.
This is what parameterization is for.

You can derive the plate model as a surface, then you won't have unnecessary bodies in the skeleton file.

[jtylerbc]

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@kacper.suchomski wrote:

You can derive the plate model as a surface, then you won't have unnecessary bodies in the skeleton file.

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Another alternative would be to create the sheet in the layout part in the first place, using multibody techniques.  The same layout part would also control the frame.  Doing it this way would achieve the same goals, technically without using any Adaptivity at all (so it should be more stable).  This is the way I would most likely address this situation if I was modeling it from the start.

However, if I was working from an existing model and needed to retroactively add this association, I would probably do something like what you described.  I have done it both ways, and both work.  But I have a preference for the multibody method (mostly due to stability), so I would use it when possible.