Help - Creating a 'waffle' style baseplate in Inventor with parametric capabilities.

[kieran.eames]

I'm trying to create something like the image attached within Inventor, but with fully parametric capabilities (i.e, interior members will react to any change in the width/length of the overall plate but also the spacing of interior members is interchangeable).

Any assistance at all on this would be greatly appreciated. Thank you - Kieran. 

[dutt.thakar]

@kieran.eames 

I would suggest using the "Grill" command here, based on your image. You can create a sketch for Grill operation with certain parameters and make it parametric in a way that depends on the overall size.

Another way is to use patterns as well, but I think grill will do the trick here. Please try to search for some videos on youtube and also find some documents on how to use this tool and I think you will find your way out.

Hope it helps.

[JDMather]

Can you Attach the *.ipt file of your attempt here?

Do you have any known constraints?

Web thickness?

Hole size?

Max square? Rectangle?

Min square? Rectangle?

Spacing parameters?

(I would probably not use Grill for this one as that is sketch dependant.)

[kieran.eames]

Of course, the file is attached. It is very much a work in progress at the moment. 

In terms of constraints.. the final dimensions are not yet confirmed therefore I want the plate to be as flexible as possible in preparation for changes coming in further down the line. 

Thanks for your time! 

[johnsonshiue]

Hi @kieran.eames,

@dutt.thakar is right. You want to use Grill feature in Plastic panel (right-click on the ribbon -> Show Panel -> check "Plastic Part." You can google "Autodesk Inventor Grill" to see some instructional videos.

Many thanks!

[kieran.eames]

Hi @johnsonshiue, 

Thanks for your help! I tried out the grill command as @dutt.thakar suggested yesterday however, when I came to extending the length or width of my plate the interior ribs parallel with my extension would not fill the gaps as expected. 

Thanks - Kieran

[SBix26]

As @JDMather suggested, this is much better done by a feature array, either by starting with a solid body and arraying the cutouts, or starting with an open space and arraying the grid members.  I'm tending to the latter without actually trying it. 

But, if anyone here is going to offer more detailed assistance, you need to provide the file (and tell us what version of Inventor you're using), and also the criteria for calculating the number or size of the openings.

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Sam B
Inventor Pro 2021.2.1 | Windows 10 Home 2004
LinkedIn

[JDMather]

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@SBix26 wrote:

But, if anyone here is going to offer more detailed assistance, you need to provide the file (and tell us what version of Inventor you're using), and also the criteria for calculating the number or size of the openings.

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The file is in Post #7, but no real information on criteria.

If a range were known for some of the parameters it might be a simple problem.

If a general - solve in any case - (within reason given large pattern limitations) the solution might take a bit longer to construct.

[kieran.eames]

Thanks all for taking the time to respond! 

The most up to date file is attached here. If I had to give some limitations then; all of the 'gaps' must be square, equal in size (with the corner 'gaps' including chamfers) , range between 100mm and 600mm and be no closer than 50mm to the chamfer edge. Hope this is enough info for a basis!

So far, I can change the spacing between internal bars and no. of internal bars, but I think the process could be streamlined and another issue I have is changing the plate height/width causes the bars to extend out of the plate boundary, as I have used the circular patter tool. 

Thanks - Kieran 

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! Here is a 5-minute attempt using Grill feature. Please take a look.

Many thanks!