I’m working on connecting elements through a plate that branches out with fins. I’ve only managed to model the individual pieces, but I’m stuck on joining them, as shown in image 2. Could someone give me some guidance on whether this is possible in Grasshopper? My code is a bit redundant, I think, because I had to rearrange the points around the circle to extract other intersections I needed. But it’s also a good exercise for me to improve and create more complex connections. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Use Bend as in below or create the filleted profiles before extruding.
I noticed too late into scripting that the plate was incorrectly formulated… Whatever. It’s the principle that’s at work here that’s important.
My starting point for construction was the start points of the baked lines. You will probably use some other references when reconstructing this from scratch.
Thank you so much for the guidance. I’m still reviewing the code. This solution seems good to me, and I think it has the key to doing it. However, I’ll incorporate it into the original code so it adapts to the width and length of the fins, which can vary, and the spacing between the fins must also be considered. I’ll be on the lookout for any other solutions you offer. I’ll upload the version with this idea of bending the plate.
You might want to explore other options as well. Honestly, I just went the Bend Deform route because I was unfamiliar with the component and wanted to see what it does. If you bake the result, you will see that that it isn’t formulated well from a surface modelling point of view. The shape of the arms could be expressed much more simply with a sweep. Or using Flow? Many options here.
For now I’ll use your solution with the bend component; it seemed practical and simpler, and it’s just a matter of using the lines only to make the fins and not using the entire perimeter.
For some inexplicable reason, Solid Union is not a problem when approaching this using Flow. But like with Bend Deform it creates strangely formulated surfaces:
I’ve switched things up so that the deformation is determined by the minimum bending radius; a value that is a factor of the sheet gauge (thickness), and should be set according to gauge and material type.
One last attempt with Sweep and I’ll leave this behind me.
Thanks, I’m still reviewing your versions and they’re becoming increasingly simplified with the different components.
I found a similar discussion from someone who needed to bend a plate and was looking for the most realistic way to simulate bending the metal, even analyzing where the hole would be located if the fin had a perforation when bent. It’s interesting; I’ll leave the link to the post. I don’t know how to reference that discussion since the problems seem similar.
Ah, yes, well, if you are going to have holes in the bend, you will have to use Flow or Bend Deform. I was suspicious when I saw your sheet thickness at 30 mm. I just can’t speak to the algorithm behind the two transformations and if they accurately reflect what will happen IRL.
Most of the simplification comes from working at the origin where you can make assumptions about vectors and planes that you cannot if the object is moved to some random place in the world coordinate system. It’s best generally to work like this before moving your object the place it is supposed to be.
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