Assembly3 center between planes

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lcorley
Posts: 32
Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2021 5:12 pm

Re: Assembly3 center between planes

Post by lcorley »

I didn't notice that error until I closed and reopened the file.
Got it fixed and added the bracket to the assembly.
I was struggling with how to center the bracket under the step.
I was looking for something to make the midpoints of two lines coincident, because that was my mental image of what I wanted it to look like.
I finally used the EqualPointLineDistance with the corners of the bracket and the end cap.
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step3.FCStd
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bambuko
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Location: UK, England, North Devon

Re: Assembly3 center between planes

Post by bambuko »

Yes, this sorted out the dodgy sketch ;)

I will have a look at it later, but the first thing that strikes on quickly looking at the file, is that you have Locked the end cap?
I would have (and did in my version) lock the bracket and then assemble everything to it....

and that probably also goes to your comment about:
"...I was struggling with how to center the bracket under the step.
I was looking for something to make the midpoints of two lines coincident, because that was my mental image of what I wanted it to look like...."


a lot of constraint by their nature constrain to the centre of...
I will explain more later.

The other comment - I would suggest that you give meaningful names to the elements :)
It's a murder navigating your file with 48 elements :roll: guessing which one is which...
I know it can be done, but imagine doing more complicated model....

PS I did mine with just 16 elements... :mrgreen: and 10 constraints
Yours has 48 elements and 21 constraints

and... final question (for now :P ) any reason/why did you change your points to big fat blobs?
I am using Link branch and Assembly3
you can also download ... and try it here
excellent Assembly3 tutorials here
lcorley
Posts: 32
Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2021 5:12 pm

Re: Assembly3 center between planes

Post by lcorley »

Fair point about naming things.
I'll try to improve my discipline.

I designed the step first, then the bracket.
Because the step was the challenge.
The bracket is a variation on a previously solved problem.

It would have helped to build symmetric to the origin.
But if destined for the plasma cutter, I design with the origin in the lower left corner.
That's easier than trying to move it in the path WB.
I started out thinking the end caps were going to be cut out -- That's why they are offset.
As the design matured, I realized the end caps could be lengths of bar stock.
But I didn't see ahead to realize it would be worth it to move them.

Since this is mostly an exercise to explore the AS3 WB, I may re-design the whole thing incorporating what I've learned from our discussion.
That would help me refine the workflow.
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bambuko
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Re: Assembly3 center between planes

Post by bambuko »

I have tested your file further and modified length of end caps (to 150mm) and length of steps(to 180mm).
I am pleased to report :P that it all holds together (after re-solving the assembly), which proves that your constraints are robust.
I know I would have done it differently ;) (but there are many ways to skin the bear :mrgreen: ) and yours works as well!

Screenshot from 2022-04-21 10.11.16.png
Screenshot from 2022-04-21 10.11.16.png (117.9 KiB) Viewed 570 times

I have also tidied up the appearance (can't stand your blobs :lol: )
It was good exercise (I hope) for both of us!
step3(bambuko).FCStd
(267.6 KiB) Downloaded 17 times
I am using Link branch and Assembly3
you can also download ... and try it here
excellent Assembly3 tutorials here
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