Structured Parts - Examples

[Malcolm Crowe]

One of the key advantages of IRONCAD is that it offers users the option of working in either "Innovative" or "Structured" part modes. Personally speaking, "Innovative" is my preference for simple 3D models, as they are fast to create and edit. However, "Structured" is my preference for complex 3D models (and 2D layout sketches). These require more thought and take longer to construct; however, these can be easier and faster to edit (changing parameters) than "Innovative" parts and assemblies.

Attached are some examples of "Structured" parts and assemblies.

1. Complex Moulded Parts (using multiple steps to construct the necessary features and draft angles)

2. Complex Sheet Metal Parts (using multiple construction elements within the part)

3. Parametric Part Families (family of parts based off common structured parametric part)

4. Parametric Assemblies (multiple associated "bodies" - that can be externally linked also)

When you need to use construction elements (such as sketches, 3D curves, surfaces, and reference bodies), to help construct a complex part; then "Structured" mode keeps these construction elements within the part itself (and maintains the associations between those elements).

Malcolm

 

Edited March 14, 2021 by Malcolm Crowe
Updated video with audio.

[HDEAR]

Thanks Malcolm. Gosh you get to work with some interesting stuff.

[Malcolm Crowe]

We make use of externally linked "Layout Sketches" in almost all of our projects. These are made up of various associated 2D Sketches, but can also include reference "Bodies" (both surfaces and solids). The inclusion of "Bodies" is helpful when you want to "Constrain" parts or assemblies to specific points within the "Layout Sketch".

Attached is an example where we needed to determine and show the "Loose" and "Tight" positions for a Roller Chain Conveyor. Parameters and constraints within the "Layout Sketch" determined the relative positions. "Solid Bodies" were then added within the "Layout Sketch" to which the chain components were constrained. Once the constraints were in place, the "Bodies" within the "Layout Sketch" could then be hidden (by right clicking on the bodies).

The "Layout Sketch" shown has 2 "Design Variations". When the "Layout Sketch" toggles between these "Design Variations", the chain components follow. These "Design Variations" are then linked to the "Configurations" of the scene.

Malcolm

 

Edited March 14, 2021 by Malcolm Crowe
Updated video with audio.

[tlehnhaeuser]

Very Nice work Malcolm, I see why you won the contest :-)

[Malcolm Crowe]

Thanks Tom. "Necessity is the Mother of Invention".

Other users are more clever than me. I just choose to share when I'm able.

Malcolm

[Malcolm Crowe]

The first example below is a Conveyor Belt with Corrugated Sidewalls that has been created as a "Structured Part" because it wasn't possible to create as an "Innovative Part". It has some basic parameters at the part level that can be changed (see attached video); with additional changes possible within the sketches, but the important points are the tools and construction steps (2D Sketches, 3D Curves, Lofted Surfaces, Thickening) implemented to create the end result.

The second example below is a Flexible Ribbed Hose that has also been created as a "Structured Part" because it wasn't possible to create as an "Innovative Part". The key reason being that it wasn't possible to "Pattern" the "Shell" feature of the rib. With "Structured Parts" it is possible to "Pattern" either "Features" or "Bodies". In this instance the model is patterning the "Body".

Malcolm

 

 

Edited March 14, 2021 by Malcolm Crowe
Updated Conveyor Belt video with audio. Flexible Ribbed Hose example added also.

[Malcolm Crowe]

When it comes to creating models for "Molded Parts" (whether metal or plastic), we always use "Structured Part Modelling". These types of models typically have complex geometry that require many construction steps (using sketches, surfaces and solids); so the structured history based approach helps manage that complexity. "Structured Part Modelling" also records all "Direct Face Modelling" operations within the history as well, which is hugely beneficial. When these DFM operations are used in "Innovative Part Modelling" it replaces all of the previous history with an unintelligent shape (which is not helpful).

Attached are a couple of videos of Metal Molded Parts and Plastic Molded Parts, demonstrating some of the reasons why "Structured Part Modelling" was used.

Malcolm

Edited March 14, 2021 by Malcolm Crowe

[Malcolm Crowe]

In the original post above, there is an image of a "Parametric" Sheet Metal Part that was created as a "Structured Part". Attached to this post is a video demonstrating the fundamentals of how this part was created and why. The techniques being used here (2D Sketches, Surfaces and Thickening) are not new; but are the types of techniques that were used in the past, before specific Sheet Metal tools were developed. These techniques are still very useful; particularly when you want "Parametric" Sheet Metal Parts.

Malcolm

[Malcolm Crowe]

For those involved in Civil / Structural Engineering or in Construction, this example involves "Concrete Reinforcement" (Rebar). In this application we're not using "Structured Part Modelling" because the shapes are complex (they are not), but because we're making use of the "Multi-Bodied" capability. We wanted to display the Reinforcement (Rebar) in two different ways:

1. As Solid Bodies

2. As 3D Curves

Structured Parts allows us to have both of the above within the same part (Rebar), but with the ability to toggle on and off the Solid Bodies using Suppression Parameters, or by sectioning through the use of "Assembly Features" (Extrude Cut). Sectioning or cutting removes the Solid Bodies only, leaving the 3D Curves visible.

Malcolm

[Malcolm Crowe]

The purpose of the above posts (some new and others updated) are to showcase a variety of applications where "Structured Part Modelling" can be used; with the hope that it will encourage IRONCAD Users, Resellers and Staff, to learn and appreciate the value that "Structured Part Modelling" brings in extending IRONCAD's modelling capabilities.

This is an open forum, where contributions (examples) of other users are welcome for our mutual benefit.

Malcolm

Edited March 16, 2021 by Malcolm Crowe

[Malcolm Crowe]

Another useful application for "Structure Part Modelling" is in the form of "Layout Sketches". This is typically how most design projects (depending on complexity) begin for us. 2D Sketches allow us to define the critical geometry in different planes, and by using "Structured Parts" we can keep all of these associated 2D Sketches within the same reference part.

These "Layout Sketches" are used for client approval of concepts and critical dimensions (as Views of these 2D Sketches can be generated within CAXA and ICD), but more importantly they are used for referencing the solid geometry of parts that will follow. When saved as their own Scene file, these Layout Sketches can then be inserted into the Scene files of multiple parts and assemblies, allowing multiple users to work on the same project at the same time.

If you do a lot of Sheet Metal design using the Sheet Metal tools, then you may find Layout Sketches to be really helpful for positioning and sizing your Sheet Metal parts, as you can pull and align handles to points within the Layout Sketch. It's another example of how "Structured Parts" can be used assist you with your "Innovative Modelling".

Malcolm

[Malcolm Crowe]

For those interested in Plastic Packaging applications, the attached Structured Part example is of a "Bottle" with "Fill Volume". In this example we're making use of the "Associated Multi-Body" capabilities of Structured Parts. As the dimensions of the Bottle change, the internal Fill Volume (which is a separate body) adjusts accordingly.

To my knowledge (which could be wrong), it isn't possible to extract the volume or mass from a "Body"; so the "Body" of the "Fill Volume" needs to be copied or saved as it's own part. In the attached video I have used the "Associate BREP to Body" option, to create externally linked part files, from which I can then extract the desired volume and mass. When the primary Scene changes, the linked files change also.

Malcolm

Edited March 25, 2021 by Malcolm Crowe

[Malcolm Crowe]

When it comes to "Molded Parts" and the associated "Mold Cavity" and "Mold Core", we always create as "Structured Parts". Attached is a video demonstrating some of the key benefits of using "Structured Parts" for this purpose; including the automatic updating of the cavity and core when changes are made to the linked part file.

Malcolm

Edited July 14, 2021 by Malcolm Crowe

[Malcolm Crowe]

This example was created as part of a series of demonstration videos for a manufacturer of Aluminum Jet Boats. In this video the hull of the boat is constructed using 2D Sketches, 3D Curves, Surfaces and Solids (all of which are associated to each other). The purpose of this particular video was to demonstrate how to extract sheet metal flat patterns from the resulting solid bodies (whereas other videos focused on using surface bodies only).

This is another example of how you can use Structured Parts to create complex lofted sheet metal geometry that can't be achieved using the standard sheet metal tools. While not shown in this particular video, we use the "Thicken" tool to add thickness to surfaces.

Malcolm

Edited July 14, 2021 by Malcolm Crowe

[Doug Gower]

Malcolm,

That's a great example. I'll have to go back thru all of them now. :-)

Thanks,

Doug

[Malcolm Crowe]

This is an example of a parametric "Toothed Belt" (Timing or Synchronous Belt). This has been created as a multi-bodied part, with the key featured used being the "Pattern Featured" tool; with the "Edge Pattern" option being used. Instead of patterning a "Feature", in this example it is the "Body" of a parent tooth that has been patterned along the Pitch Line of the belt (which is in the form of an extracted 3D Curve). While not shown in the attached video, this model is driven by parameters relating to the Pulleys, Belt and Center Distance. So the same model can be used in different applications.

Malcolm

[Malcolm Crowe]

This model of Intersecting Tunnels has been created as a single Structured Part so that associations between the 2D sketches can be maintained. The attached video shows the second half of the construction process (after the 2D Sketches have been created). The variable wall thicknesses (250mm, 150mm and 100mm) have b

een created using the "Shell" tool.

Malcolm

[HDEAR]

Brilliant! Thanks Malcolm.

Is it easy to associate one sketch plane to another and also when you're in one sketch, be able to associate points an the 'target sketch' from you 'WIP sketch'?

You've probably shown this in a video past

Harley

[Malcolm Crowe]

Hi Harley,

The short answer is yes. When defining sketch planes you can reference the 3 standard planes of the Structured Part along with any geometry before that sketch. In the above example the positions of the Branch Tunnel profiles are driven by points within the earlier (second) sketch. When that earlier sketch changes the positions of the associated sketches change automatically.

When you're editing a 2D Sketch, you can Project Constrain any geometry that was created before that sketch (whether, solids, surfaces, 3D curves or 2D sketches). This is an important part of "Structured Part" modelling, and requires some thought regarding the order that you create geometry within the part.

Malcolm

Edited September 3, 2021 by Malcolm Crowe

[jolizon590016]

Hi Malcolm,

Really appreciate all your unselfish contributions to this community of users. May I request to the forum moderators if they can consolidate your work and contributions like to I-Beam's Contributor Resources as these goes beyond Tips and Tricks forum directory.

regards - joseph

[Malcolm Crowe]

The Jet Boat example above was originally created for a new user to demonstrate the basic principle of how a Structured Part (consisting of 2D Sketches, 3D Curves and Surfaces) could be used for creating unfolded sheet metal panels. This has since led to more advanced demonstrations regarding "how-to" modelling construction techniques. I've attached the latest demonstration video (4 parts) here as it contains some construction techniques that may be of interest to other users.

The more complex the model becomes, the more beneficial "Structured Part" modelling becomes for managing the many associated 2D Sketches, 3D Curves, Surfaces, etc.

Malcolm

[Malcolm Crowe]

Prompted by a question from Harley, I've created another example of a Flexible Ribbed Hose. The original Rib is constructed as a "Lofted Surface", after which the "Thicken" tool is then used to create a solid Rib (from this surface) with the desired wall thickness. This solid Rib is then patterned along a 3D curve. The attached video provides an overview of the construction steps used, without going into all of the detail of creating and positioning of 2D sketches etc.

This is a fully parametric model, so I've also included some Design Variations (45deg, 90deg, 135deg, 180deg bends) for demonstration purposes.

Malcolm

Structured Parts - Flexible Ribbed Hose - Using Surface Loft.ics

[Malcolm Crowe]

At the request of Harley, attached is a video providing more detail regarding how the various construction sketches are constrained to each other.

I've also attached a video showing how to position other parts to this part.

Malcolm

[Malcolm Crowe]

Spring design (whether tension, compression or torsion) is another application where we always use Structured Part mode (with parameters), for displaying the springs in different states or positions. This example is of a Dual Helical Torsion Spring with some additional features.

Malcolm

[Malcolm Crowe]

This example is of a Blind Rivet that has been created as a Multi-Bodied Structured Part, so that the Rivet can be displayed in its "Free" state or in its "Gripping" state (with a defined range of gripping thicknesses). Important features within this model are the "Delete Body" features. These features have "Suppression Parameters" for toggling them on and off. These allow us to control which 2 of the 4 bodies are displayed at any one time.

Malcolm