Inventor 2015 Compound Mitre Cuts On Lumber Framing Assembly

[huggettwj]

Hello...

I am teaching myself inventor as I go along, but I am struggling as my projects become more complex.

I primarily use inventor for basic wood project layouts. I am currently trying to model a garden shed before I build it.

I have no problems dealing with the basic framing, creating parts and assemblies representing studs, plates, etc....as long as everything is square, or has one angle.

I am struggling with the roof framing components, specifically with how to get a compound cut (two angles).I've searched for answers for this, but I don't even know what tools/terms to search for...so I'm shooting in the dark. Hopefully someone has a link to a video example I can follow along (step-by-step), until I can get this under my belt...

Here is a description (the best I can), as an example of what I'm trying to do.

A.) Lets say far example I have a piece of lumber ("A") that is 1.5"x 5.5"x 60" in size.

B.) My second piece of lumber is 1.5"x 5.5" x 48" ("B"). There is a 30 degree parallel angle cut on either end of this board (looks like /====/ ).

C.) In my assembly the second piece is connected to the end of "A" with the cut face face screwed onto the end of board "B". I'm good modeling to this point, but now the trouble begins.

D.) I want to add a 2x4 (1.5" x 3.5" x ??") that has compound angles on either end. One end will have compound cuts to fit and mate into the free end of board "A", and the other end will have compound angles so that it mates to the free end of board "B".

I hope this makes sense.... I appreciate your help!!

John.

kelly.young has edited your subject line for clarity: Newbie - Compound Mitre Cuts on Lumber...

[Xun.Zhang · Accepted solution]

Hi John,

Are these happens on frame generator? I means do you leverage frame generator to handle the design?

Or you just simply made every piece and assemble them by yourself?

If you are talking about frame generator, then, there are bunch of commands can help you out.

else, you have to create references to achieve the goal. There are many ways to approach like directedit or workfeature adaptive or face cut, etc.

https://autode.sk/2ME7DZK

Hope it helps!

[jhackney1972 · Accepted solution]

Mr. Zhang gave you the best solution which is to author your lumber into your personal Content Center Library and then use the Frame Generator to apply the lumber to an assembly skeleton.  I did a screencast quickly showing the process.  There is a lot of steps to publishing your lumber to the Content Center to make it available for the Frame Generator which I did not show.  It is a relative easy process but there is a learning curve.  Once you have the library, Frame Generator is a very simple process.

The other way to cut a compound angle on the end of the board is to create a workplane, at the compound angle required, and then use the "Split" tool, with the "Remove Material" option.  The creation of the correct compound workplane on every end is a bit complicated and time consuming but it is can be done.

[huggettwj]

Thank you for your time to reply Xun.Zhang!!

I like the way the split tool works in your video.

I think I would like to try and use that method for the time being.I will look into the frame generator (but there is a lot to learn there I think).

Moving forward, how can I get the pieces I described to "constrain" properly with the split approach above? I can't get flat surfaces until after the split has been done... 

Here's a picture of my scenario...

(I'm not at the video stage yet, but this is better than my previous ASCII drawing!!)

I want the corner of the blue board (black line), to "align/constrain" with the top corners of the grey boards (red and yellow dots)...

[huggettwj]

EDIT - Alright, I've watched your video again (didn't realize there was sound as my speakers were turned down), so I was trying to follow along with visuals only... much easier with your dialogue!! I like this approach!!!

Off to learn content center!!

🙂

-----------------------------------------------------

Thank you jhackney1972 for your reply!!

I will certainly look into the frame builder option, it looks quite powerful.

But this young Jedi needs to start swinging a stick, not yet a light saber 🙂

Definitely on my list of items to learn

Thx - John

[TheCADWhisperer]

This is easy to do with your existing geometry without having to dive into Frame Generator.

Post your assembly here and I will create a video demonstrating how.

[huggettwj]

TheCADWhisperer - Thanks for your help!!

This is an example assembly that I'm using as a "model" for testing.

[huggettwj]

Sorry... I'm sure there is a better way then having to attach the assembly, and all the components individually...

[JDMather · Accepted solution]

Well, the following video demonstrates a general purpose solution for using one part to edit another part, but I think that in your case it would be far better to use multi-body solids modeling technique in which you model all of the parts in one part file and then push out the assembly and individual parts.

Also, you should install the 2 Service Packs and 6 Updates for your version of Inventor.

[huggettwj]

Thank you  JDMather!!

I should have been more specific in my explanation, but you gave me enough information to work with!!

I am grounding "A" as you mentioned (I just forgot to do it in this example).

I am "cutting" part "C" which is drawn excessively long (for my attempt at alignment), so I think the constraints that you've used will work.

...As simple as it may seem to all of you, the part I was missing in constraining my assembly was knowing that I could  right-click on the vertex and select "other" to select the point.... *Yes, I'm that green* 

Many thanks for your very thorough video... I feel that with the combined knowledge of this new constraint option, and the split command - I should be off to the races!!

Many thanks to those that chimed in an helped - I am quickly learning that "The more you know, the more you realize you don't know" 🙂

Now off to play!!

[PaulMunford · Accepted solution]

Hi @huggettwj,

I believe that you will find the 'Mutibody = Master part' technique helpful. Here's a link to a post that explains it in details. Let me know if it helps?

Paul

https://cadsetterout.com/inventor-tutorials/autodesk-inventor-assembly-techniques-for-woodworkers/

kelly.young has updated your link address for clarity

[huggettwj]

Thanks Paul,

I don't think the link is working right now, but I will try again shortly.

[kelly.young · Accepted solution]

Hello @huggettwj I see that you are visiting as a new member to the Inventor Forum.
Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

@PaulMunford's link has been updated so it should take you to the right place.

You can always attach your assembly with all parts included using Pack & Go as .zip. 

Here is a quick demo of Multi-Body Parts and Adaptive Assembly:

Please select the Accept as Solution button if a post solves your issue or answers your question.

[huggettwj]

Thanks everyone for your help so far... You've helped me out a lot!!

This is where I've gotten to....

The next step I've been trying to deal with is to be able to adjust the slope of the roof, by moving the "blue" top piece up or down (in the roof sub-assembly). I have the rafters moving and adjusting properly, but I need to get them trimmed to length and then be able to move them to a drawing for dimensions.

I am hoping to use the SPLIT command to trim the rafters with adaptive work-planes, or maybe an adaptive negative extrusion to remove material. I seem to be able to execute these functions, except every time I try the assembly freezes up and I can no longer adjust the top piece....

I am going to take a break for a day or so, and play again with it next weekend.

I've tried "Pack-and-Go", and attaching the Zip file - for your interest if you want to take a peak and critique!

You have all been fantastic with your guidance - it is much more than I had anticipated!!

Thank You All - John

[kelly.young]

@huggettwj Looks good! I see that you are not utilizing any Adaptive or Derive building techniques, which is fine for the moment, but in the future you'll want to challenge yourself to make your model Parametric. 

The reason you might want to do this is so that if you need to make a small adjustment, let's say to the width, the whole assembly would update accordingly. 

From your assembly it looks like you have a strong grasp on the modeling, now time for the linking of parts to make it stretch to any size!

Keep up the good work and create a new thread when you start a new modeling method and need a bit of clarification on the execution.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if a post solves your issue or answers your question.