institut du monde arabe facade

[Anonymous]

Hi Guys!

I'm currently trying to construct the lenses for the facade of the institut du monde arabe. The lenses should also open and close as I later want to connect it to the sun with the help of dynamo. My question now is how can I construct the elements that open and close? I had already tried something with the angle function, but it didn't work ...
I would be happy to receive ideas and feedback!

best regards

[lucdoucet_msdl]

@Anonymous 

Some questions before plunging down the rabbit hole that this could lead to:

1. Does your reproduction of the iris mechanism need to reproduce all the moving parts or only those obscuring the light?

2. Is the main input an angle of rotation or a percentage of 0-100% closed.

3. Will you model each type of iris individually according to the parts dimension, number of blades or should it be one multipurpose family.

4. Do you have a schematic drawing of the iris mechanism showing the shape of the blades and the pivots and slots.

Thanks,

-luc

[Anonymous]

Hello! thank you for the answer. I try to go into all points below. 

1. only the parts (blades) that cover the light should move. if it is easy to move the upper disc, this variant would of course be better. but the former would be enough.

2. percentage would be nicer, but the other is also possible.

3. I will not take over the facade in the same way, but will only incorporate the principle of lenses into a facade element family. It would be ideal if the iris were to adapt to the size of the facade element (with a formula or something similar).

4. I have a YouTube link as I imagine it to be from the construction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRMbo22hK-0

or like this one: https://grabcad.com/library/iris-aperture-mechanism-1

Thank you! 

Melina

[lucdoucet_msdl · Accepted solution]

@Anonymous 

From your original posting, a angle parameter should be the solution for the opening and closing motion of the iris blades.

Another helpful approach will be to nest a "blade" family that simply takes an instance parameter for the angle or percent opening and rotates the piece around it's pivot point. The "parent" or "iris" family will be the fixed parts of the assembly. You can then place and circular array the required number of "blade" families around the center of the hole.

The "iris" family then has a similarly named instance parameter which is passed to the "blade" family to move all blades simultaneously.

The "iris" family can then be once again nested in another family, a curtain panel family for example, with a third similarly named instance parameter for the rotation which will allow you to control the thrice nested "blades" from the wall panel and dynamo.

It's also a best practice to model simple versions of the nested components and their constraints so as to test them before moving onto modelling the complexe shapes. Sort of a proof of concept before committing to as final solution.

If you need additional help, It will also be easier if you post the families so that others can add in with improvements or simply to trouble shoot the details.

Good luck,

-luc

[Anonymous]

Thank you! 

That helps me alot. I took the first steps and it worked out great. However, at some point I realized that I accidentally built it from the top instead of the elevation. Now I have the problem that I can no longer turn the nested blades (in the view). Before that (in the top view) it worked. I'll attach the family file and some screenshots.

greetings, Melina

[lucdoucet_msdl]

@Anonymous 

Revit only allows generic model families to rotate around the "Z" axis of the reference plane. While mechanical equipement families can rotate on all axis', I haven't been able to convert your files successfully.

I think you will need to redraw the blades/klingen horizontally on the reference level/referenzebene rather than vertically on front-back/vorne-hinten plane.

lucdoucet_msdl_2-1598444783972.png

lucdoucet_msdl_0-1598444908501.png

Also, in the family categories settings, check the face based construction and uncheck the always vertical boxes. This way, the blade/klingen family can be placed on the vertical plane of the "Iris fest"* and rotated about the center of your circular frame.

You should also model the Iris Fest family as face based so as to allow you to place them on the final window assembly should you choose curtain panel, window or any other family that can nest a generic model. No need to re-model but it helps to keep the reference geometry in similar planes if the rotation movements are on parallel planes.

-luc

*( funny typo, are you expecting to host a huge crowd of iris' at a sun worshipping festival! 😁) 

[Anonymous]

it's worked out! Many thanks for the great help. Now i try to steer the whole thing with dynamo.

greetings, melina