I am trying to automatically position this doughnut shape to completely encapsulate a form or 3d volume or model. It is about a 3d clay printing robot but instead of making the shape fit the workspace of the clay 3d printer I want to position the 3d printer in a specific designated area.
I don’t have any GH script because honestly, I have no idea where to start, first, I was experimenting with collision detection but can’t make it work for the shape to be inside the donut or the workspace volume without manually positioning it.
I’ve been doing it manually, but I want to automate this process and models are in different forms. and yes algorithmically the best position.Any way to that?
the criteria is for the model to fit inside the workspace, and the model and workspace have to be locked in the Z-axis, and not rotate when checking if the model fits inside! and it doesn’t have to best position as long as it fits inside
Yeah, that doesn’t add anything to answer my question. Fits by how much? AKA tolerance? Because it’s easy to see better and worse positions when doing it manually, not so easy by algorithm.
ok let’s say we array the donut in x and y positions across the model, and we check which ones don’t collide and cull the remaining that collide, would that work?
it doesn’t have to be the best position as long as we don’t have collisions.
Then I would decide wich position to pick later as long as its “green” non collision
If I understood correctly, the movement of the object is to be restricted to XY plane. In addition, the object cannot be rotated around any axis. The doughnut is a constant shape and stays put.
So you can move the object in XY plane and when it does not collide with the doughnut surface, and is inside the doughnut, the placement can be accepted? So there are millions of solutions to this, but you just need one.
Try Mesh Clash in Grasshopper. Turn the doughnut into a mesh and the object also. Then use something like an MD Slider to move the object in XY plane. Create a panel or some indicator in Grasshopper or Rhino that triggers when there is a collision (this can be anything, a Symbol or turn the object red when colliding…) Then just fiddle with that MD slider until you are satisfied.
Kangaroo solutions are also possible, but maybe start with this semi-automatic thingy to get the hang of it.
You understood correctly 1000 %, semi-automatic would work too, but I have tons of models that need to be printed on location, and finding that sweet spot every time would be a huge time saver.
Would you be able to help with a more hands-on approach with the script I’ve just started learning Grasshopper.
if you have the time ofc?
I’m sure that handling a variety of parts is much more complicated than this, which tests only the X axis. Y and Z also need to be checked. And this happens to return only one result where there would often be many to choose from. Parts are internalized, no need for Rhino file.
I heard you say that before but why? The donut represents the tool, correct? Makes more sense to move the part. As to Z axis, the method I used aligns their volumetric centers which may not be good? So Z position should not change?
the donut is the tool the parts are in different locations, which is why it makes sense to move the donut since the parts would be in an already set position relative to each other
The parts are predefined their locations are predefined, and only the robot will have to be moved in position to start the printing.
OK, that makes more sense but as @René_Corella says, maybe it doesn’t matter? What will matter is if you expect to provide a list of parts instead of solving for one at a time…
In any case, this version is WAY BETTER The ‘UV Count’ slider (dark blue group) determines the X and Y “resolution” of positions checked. It gets slow with many positions. As you can see, three possibilities are presented in this case. Which one to choose?
There is a single point at the blue part and three points inside the donut corresponding to three possible solutions.
The parts are still being modeled, The part that I’ve provided is just a place holder the end product will be wavy and parametric, think of it like a jigsaw puzzle, in the end, the positions will be printed out on a big paper format or I will use augmented reality to position the robot in those places.
I will provide you with a few more models right now and maybe you will understand better.
The distance between each part has to be precise when the robot will be moved into the exact place to start printing.
Multiple donuts will have to be positioned relative to each other and ten all of the donuts will be exported as a 3d model containing some extra positioning points for AR or they will be printed out in a big paper format later on.
The z constraint is what I’m looking for, but no need for actual gravity or anything like that, i wonder if it can be made so that the donut moves but not the part?
The ‘UV Count’ slider (dark blue group) determines the X and Y “resolution” of positions checked. It gets slow with many positions. As you can see, three possibilities are presented in this case. Which one to choose?
