3d Model Generators

[marcusbernstein]

Over the past couple of days I have worked hard to make more of the 3d model generators as I initially posted here:
https://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/s...d.php?t=149221

Many people I spoke to (including members of my team) did not realize the full capabilities of this type of software, so I challenged myself to learn more about the software and make a couple more 3d model generators that are a lot more complex and useful. Now, I have made 3d model generators that make plates for attaching tube, drive rails (1836 style), and a couple more things that are much faster and easier to do in the Thingiverse customizer than re-CADing very similar parts over and over again.

All of these generators can now be found here:
http://www.thingiverse.com/bjmboy/about

Again, I ask the chiefdelphi community what you guys think of generators like these? Has anyone else made another 3d model generator like mine that is much easier and simpler for the user than a couple of the alternatives inside specific modeling software?

I really appreciate feedback anyone may have as I continue to make more 3d model generators. Please let me know if you find a bug (they have not fully been tested) or just have any feedback/ideas for future generators and applications of programmatic CAD in another way.

[marshall]

If you are interested, OnShape introduced a feature called FeatureScript recently and I'd love to see someone write something to deal with pocketing on gearboxes because I suspect it can be done easily.

Check it out: https://www.onshape.com/featurescript

[marcusbernstein]

Marshall, thanks for your recommendation. I did a bit of research on Onshape and taught myself the basics. Someone actually already made something very similar to what you want, and with a couple small bug fixes I released a version that can do pocketing pretty well (I havent tested it completely).

That script can be found here:

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/33...13283b73050449
(Its view only but you can copy and paste it into your onshape platform and edit it if you want)

I am going to continue to learn and experiment with this onshape feature (in comparison to the Thingiverse Customizer), because it looks like that may be somewhat easier to use and also may have more potential for help with designing assemblies, rather than individual parts. Thanks for sharing this tool with me!

[marshall]

Originally Posted by marcusbernstein

Marshall, thanks for your recommendation. I did a bit of research on Onshape and taught myself the basics. Someone actually already made something very similar to what you want, and with a couple small bug fixes I released a version that can do pocketing pretty well (I havent tested it completely).

That script can be found here:

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/33...13283b73050449
(Its view only but you can copy and paste it into your onshape platform and edit it if you want)

I am going to continue to learn and experiment with this onshape feature (in comparison to the Thingiverse Customizer), because it looks like that may be somewhat easier to use and also may have more potential for help with designing assemblies, rather than individual parts. Thanks for sharing this tool with me!

A heap of praise be upon you sir. Excellent work. If you're looking for more whacky ideas then let me know, I've got a million of them.

[marcusbernstein]

Marshall, please let me know of any ideas you have for model generators. I have a lot of free time at my internship and would love to make more of them for my team/ the FRC community. Feel free to PM me, or reply to this thread. I am still getting the hang of the Onshape feature script(its a lot more complicated than I thought), and will probably make the generators in both Onshape and Openscad to compare between the two.

[marshall]

Originally Posted by marcusbernstein

Marshall, please let me know of any ideas you have for model generators. I have a lot of free time at my internship and would love to make more of them for my team/ the FRC community. Feel free to PM me, or reply to this thread. I am still getting the hang of the Onshape feature script(its a lot more complicated than I thought), and will probably make the generators in both Onshape and Openscad to compare between the two.

Some random ideas:

-Use the VexPro gear sizes to create a generator to automatically build a single speed gearbox plate. You can safely use the input as a CIM because there are already a decent number of ways to convert to the CIM mounting form factor.
-Double down and and make a double reduction generator... gets more complicated though.
-Generate a complete gearbox.
-Generator to punch a 1/2" hex hole completely through any arbitrary location. Why? Because 1/2" hex!
-Generator to build an arbitrarily sized WCD chassis based on known chain lengths and gearboxes.
-Alright, big one... take the JVN calculator spreadsheet and turn out generators for everything in that spreadsheet to make 3d versions of all of it using parts from VexPro and AM.
-Generator for arms of varying lengths would be cool... take a look at the Greybots RAMP videos... they do this with a side profile of a robot to get heights and stuff... it is neato and saves on whiteboard time when done right.
-Generator for enclosures for boards like the RaspberryPi, TK1, TX1, etc...

Just a few... Some of those are mighty tall orders so break them down a bit and see what comes out of them.

[ASD20]

A few more suggestions:

- A built in chain length and spacing calculator (could also do gears and/or belts)
- A script to create a border of evenly spaced holes around a part
- An electrical board maker (Add components and move them around and it will automatically add mounting holes. Could also add warning boxes around components where wires need to go, so you don't put components too close together. If possible, (I haven't really looked at the software) draw automatic connections between connected components, so it is easy to visualize and minimize the wire runs.)
- Gates pulley generator that outputs in something other than stl.

First one would be very useful, second one would be only slightly more convenient than using the built in pattern tool, 3rd one is more of an interesting challenge than something super necessary. 4th is a problem my team actually faced this year.

Overall, I think it is cool that you are interested in this. It would be cool if a lot of teams starting making scripts like this to help lower the barrier to entry for CAD.