Creating 3D expanded metal - Pattern and Vent Problems

[MartinBellehumeur]

Objectif:

I'm trying to model expanded metal that my company will be able to use in various projects. My idea was to skecth a variable-controlled link (which I know how to do), pattern it over a specific area and apply the vent (or similar) function.


Problems so far:

1. can't pattern a sketch! Is there anyway to do this? I know you can convert the sketch to a curve, but you cannot use this curve to make a cutout or a vent, so it's not too usefull. Manually copying a link would defeat the purpose.

2. Since the size of the workpiece is variable, I need to "meshing" to stop once it has reached to edge, even if it's in the middle of a link.

3.I've tried cutouts/vent of a link, then pattern the cutout; this becomes very computer intensive as there are now hundreds of cutouts. Also tried on web function, same deal... also won't stop once it has reached a specific point.


Any help would be greatly appreciated. As this is my first post, I realize I might not be very clear in my description. Let me know if you need more details!


Thank you to everyone in advance!

Martin

See attached picture of expanded metal, to give you an idea of the type of link I'm looking at

 

[Schipperus]

Hi Martin,

If i'm right the solution is to make the cutout, then pattern it along the area.

I'm assuming you do have a rectangular area, otherwise it would be more dificult.
The rectangular pattern can be set to the limits of where you want it to stop. Use the right setting for the boundaries of the pattern (see attached file).

If you do have an odd shaped area. I think the only way is to manually turn off the Occurences you don't want...

IJsbrand Schipperus

Visualise your vision... in 3D

www.Horchner-Hammersma.nl

 

[MartinBellehumeur]

Thanks for you help Schipperus,

but as I've mentioned in point 3, I've already tried that solution, and although it is a valid one, it is very, very computer intensive. 200 links would take my computer (3Ghz, 2Gigs of ram... by no means impressive, but one of the better computer in the building) over a minute to complete. You can see that this becomes a problem when dealing with sheets of over two thousand links.

Your comment on the rectangular area was bang on thought! But how can I tell it I want say 200.5 repetitions (to have 200.5 links)?

Next approach is just to make an thin extrude and place a link picture on it... not as nice but will do the job and will render alot quicker!

Martin

 

[beachcomber]

Why do you need to model every part of the pattern ?
Wouldn't a simple sheet of the appropriate thickness suffice, possibly with a few patterns to show the perforations ?

bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.

 

[CorBlimeyLimey]

The usual trick for doing this in SW is to apply a wire mesh texture to the surface and then setting the part as semi-transparent.

 

[donyoung]

... that's the way to go in SE as well

dy

 

[beachcomber]

I would also suggest that it would be very inefficient to model - patterns of this magnitude always slow a system, no matter which one you use.
Thinking back to drawing board days (for those of us old enough to have used one !), you would never do this. You would show the outside shape and draw a few instances of the pattern as a representation. This is probably still how it's shown in the relevant drawing standards.

bc.
2.4GHz Core2 Quad, 4GB RAM,
Quadro FX4600.

 

[MartinBellehumeur]

Great Ideas! In the end I'm using a combination of these ideas; actual meshing for the small areas and a "visual representation" for the larger ones.

Thanks for the help!

Martin