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Parametric Parts: Extrusions and Steel

7/30/2016

 
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Parametric design really shines when geometry has an infinite number of possible combinations.

For quite a few parts, it is easy to import pre-defined geometry as a STEP file.  Most CAD systems have systems that allow easily importing libraries of parts in a variety of formats.

Some parts, though, cannot be pre-generated, because they can be customized.

AISC Structure steel shapes are in this category.  The profiles are standard, but length is arbitrary, so it is not feasible to simply import a static, pre-defined 3D model. 

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Typically, you import a 2d shape, and then use that to create the 3D shape.  

That's doable, but it is quite a few steps.


Using a parametric tool, you can do it all in one step.
​Select the profile, supply a length ( or even an offset face in your existing project), and you're off and running:

As it turns out, there are quite a few sets of parts like this. Another good example are aluminum extrusions from 8020 inc.  The profiles are pre-defined, but the length is not.   A bit of code makes it super easy to create all of the possible parts:
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We've created Onshape generators for these two geometries.  You can download them here 

One Week Left on Feature Voting!

7/8/2016

 
With only one week left, three features are emerging as the leaders:
  • Creating surfaces from 3d Points.
  • Engineering shapes like Ibeams and channels
  • ASME B16.5 Pipe flanges
It is a really close race between these three.  Keep voting for your favs!

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Vote for your favorite next feature

7/1/2016

 
We are hard at work building features, and we'd love to know which ones you'd like to see next.

You can vote for your favorite once a day. We'll implement the most popular ones, and release them as free beta versions!

    Dave Cowden

    Developer and owner of Parametric Products, LLC

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