Suggestion: Metric version, please!
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Started by: dwjpdwjp
On: 1256711589|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Number of posts: 28
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Suggestion: Metric version, please!
dwjpdwjp 1256711589|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

This seemed like a great idea until I realized everything used imperial units! I'll spare you any debates as to which unit is best, suffice to say that aluminum extrusions in Australia (and perhaps other countries) are almost always metric! Very similar sizes (e.g. 25mm instead of 1"), but not quite identical. Which is enough, I suspect, to stop the whole system from working together so neatly. It's still a great idea, I'm just a little upset that I won't get to use it.

— David

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Unfold Suggestion: Metric version, please! by dwjpdwjp, 1256711589|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
sparrsparr 1256738545|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Unfortunately using metric units really limits options on parts here in the USA. However, there's no reason you can't make a metric version of a given Contraptor subset. The whole system seems very amenable to being scaled up or down. If you are capable of machining your own parts, there's no reason you can't build an entire Contraptor CNC machine at 25:25.4 scale. The same software should still work, and all the same designs will work as long as you can find equivalent size non-aluminum parts (bearings, screws, nylon, etc).

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Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by sparrsparr, 1256738545|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
ril3yril3y 1256739244|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

David,

I designed a rotational mount that encloses a ball bearing (608). The measurements were given in metrics. So this is what I did. I created the bearing in gsketch in MM. Then imported to my imperial sketchup model. So why I am telling you this is… Create a metric template in Google Sketchup. Then import the contraptor parts from the google warehouse. Then you can measure with the tape tool in metric and go nuts.

25 millimeters = 0.984251969 inches

So you should be able to get 25mm stuff and do the same stuff with contraptor. Now I have not tried this as I do not have 25mm angle. But go for it. Buy some and test it out. Let me know how it works.

ril3y

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Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by ril3yril3y, 1256739244|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
AlbanetcAlbanetc 1256745462|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

David,

Metric version was considered early on in the project, however, as sparr said, it's pretty difficult to get many metric parts in the US (for example aluminum angle/tube profiles). So a decision was made to go with imperial, thinking that since the project is open source, someone who knows local parts market well would be in a better position to adapt the design to metric system.

Vitaly

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Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by AlbanetcAlbanetc, 1256745462|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
gatonerogatonero 1281383325|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

There is an interesting discussion, about the parameters for a metric system. "Metrisches Raster für Contraptor"

It is in German, but maybe You understand this translation by Google

Christoph

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Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by gatonerogatonero, 1281383325|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
gatonerogatonero 1258921545|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

I made all the perforated angels today with sketchup in metric. It is based upon 25mm. Where can I upload them? Next I will continue with sliders. A list about existing metric elements would be fine.

Have fun!

Last edited on 1258921683|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover By gatonero + Show more
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Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by gatonerogatonero, 1258921545|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
AlbanetcAlbanetc 1258925288|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Hi gatonero,

This is great, looking forward to see them! We keep Sketchup models in Google 3D warehouse: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/search?tags=contraptor. Just add the tags "contraptor" and "metric" when uploading.

Is 25mm aluminum angle widely available in Europe/elsewhere metric?

Cheers
Vitaly

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Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by AlbanetcAlbanetc, 1258925288|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
gatonerogatonero 1258926440|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Hello Vitaly,

thanks for the hint to upload my models! I made some resarch and found a good source about metric aluminium profiles, see http://www.aluminium-profile.org/profile/profile.php.
For the angels fits http://www.aluminium-profile.org/profile/winkelprofil/winkelprofile.php WP25253. Now I'm looking forward to find something for the sliding element pads. For these parts I will try to use VKR40403.5 or VKR40404. This depends, which material for UHMWPE channels are avaiable.

Thanks for Your interest :-)
gatonero

Last edited on 1258926641|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover By gatonero + Show more
Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by gatonerogatonero, 1258926440|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
gatonerogatonero 1258928125|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Here is my first atempt to contribute. I couldn't upload a *.skp file, but an *kmz file. http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=c43802c4fd447c534108364ea71456e&prevstart=0 (I'm new to sketchup)

Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by gatonerogatonero, 1258928125|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
AlbanetcAlbanetc 1258936164|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Hi gatonero,

You can upload SKP directly from Sketchup via File -> 3D warehouse -> Share model.

The angle looks pretty good on the image, I can't tell the difference from imperial.

Is this the website of an aluminum vendor and if so, do you know the price of WP25253?

I guess we need to start thinking about doc organization for metric version :)

Cheers
Vitaly

Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by AlbanetcAlbanetc, 1258936164|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
gatonerogatonero 1258994315|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Hi Vitaly,

I have seen this oportunity to upload sketches before but it doesn't work. I'm using sketchup with wine under Linux, this seems to be limited.

The website is from an aluminium vendor. The prices I don't know until today, but soon … :-)

Greets
gatonero

Last edited on 1258994348|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover By gatonero + Show more
Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by gatonerogatonero, 1258994315|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
AlbanetcAlbanetc 1259045384|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Hi gatonero,

Hmm, I think it should work since it's just an emulator, but I'm not sure - my primary laptop is XP. Does it ask you to login with Google account?
You can attach SKP files to this thread, I will upload them to 3D warehouse.

Cheers
Vitaly

Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by AlbanetcAlbanetc, 1259045384|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
gatonerogatonero 1259105976|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Hi Vitaly,

I tried several times to upload the files. I get asked for login. I get the question, to export the model with textures etc or not. If I choose Yes, it looks like that the file is exported but after I get a blank screen, if I say Yes sketchup aborts. Let's don't discuss this here further more, Google should make a Linux version.

So I will upload a metric example for a sliding element. I tried my very best but I'm very new to sketchup. Please have a look at it and make a quality check.

I researched for all the materials and the fitting to the angels I made also upon today. Everything should fit and is available in metric countries. The angels I will also upload but not today, its late night.

Now at that point I want to tell all you guys my thanks for that what You have done. I have overseen this in my very first postings, because I have been so much impressed about contraptor, that I would have liked to start instantly.

I'm coming from physical computing with arduino and looked I while around for building a CNC machine. Your solution is the very best for my requirements and I am very glad to find contraptor. I am a member of dorkbot in Aachen/Germany http://hci.rwth-aachen.de/dorkbot. Me and some members are planing to convert the complete system to metric and start to construct contraptors (What does "contraptor" stand for?). We are starting to order metric materials for a proof of concept. As soon as we succeed, we want to spread the contraptor idea in Germany maybe in Europe (translating, plans and hardware for metric elements and models). Therefor a question: we would like to register a domain www.contraptor.de maybe www.contraptor.eu. How can we agree about this with You?

For Your pleasure, I want to point You to this side: http://www.metallbaukasten.de/ There You can see a lot of models made with the Märklin system. This system has been very popular for children from 1919 to 1999 (there is a similar system http://www.meccano.com/about/index.php), When I was a boy, I used to play with Märklin also. So what You are doing seems to continue a long history :-D

Thanks a lot in advance…
Christoph, aka gatonero

PS.: Now I looked around for a possibility to attach SKP files in this forum, but I didn't find anything.

Last edited on 1259106141|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover By gatonero + Show more
Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by gatonerogatonero, 1259105976|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
AlbanetcAlbanetc 1259129549|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Hi Christoph,

I agree - if would be great if Google made a Linux version of Sketchup. Maybe someone will take the time and write an open source version of it.

If you're having trouble uploading you can send the files to my email: albanetc dot sr at gmail dot com, or attach the files to this page (options at the bottom). We will post them to 3D warehouse (maybe with some tweaking).

I had several Meccano-like construction sets too. Thanks for your kind words, it's rewarding to see the project grow after 2 years of (often frustrating) trial and error. As far as I know (English is my second language), "contraptor" is not really a word (no dictionary hits). Presumably it is someone who builds contraptions, which pretty much characterized the devices I was building from it early on: http://www.garagefab.cc/user/albanetcsr/photos/with-added-base

We're very excited that Contraptor is spreading internationally, and we welcome conversion into metric system and translation efforts. While we don't have much control over this, we would really like to keep contraptor.org as the hub of Contraptor related activity, perhaps with subdomains for several languages and both metric and imperial version specs.

We certainly want to collaborate with individuals/teams who want to manufacture and sell Contraptor sets/kits. Can you tell us what your plans are for Contraptor in Europe? If you want, you can email us: http://www.contraptor.org/contact

Cheers
Vitaly

Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by AlbanetcAlbanetc, 1259129549|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
gatonerogatonero 1259147025|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Hi Vitaly,

because I'm not at my computer now. I will send you the SKP files this evening. I don't see a options button to attach files (options at bottom, but no attach or upload button).

Thank you for explaining 'contraptor'. I didn't know the word 'contraption' before (I'm no native english speaker).

The idea behind registrating contraptor.de and/or contraptor.eu is not for hosting an own side, but to assure this domains. contraptor.org should be the hub with subdomains and contraptor.de should point to the german speaking subdomain. For german it wouldn't be a good idea to have a german metric and a german imperial subdomain. Maybe this is necessary for english?!?! ;-).

About manufactoring I will contact you by email.

Have good times
Christoph

Last edited on 1259147199|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover By gatonero + Show more
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Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by gatonerogatonero, 1259147025|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
gatonerogatonero 1259884238|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

I started a page for metric contraptor development. Please have a look metric-version-development and contribute!

gatonero

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Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by gatonerogatonero, 1259884238|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
VPetersVPeters 1260923229|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Maybe it's better to use a 25x25x2 angle instead of a 3mm thick one. Most constructions will be strong enough with 2mm thick profiles, which are more commonly available in the Netherlands (and other places in Europe) through most hardware stores. (To keep the step-in effort low, it is wise to stay with hardware store stuff…)

Currently my housemate (I'm a student) sourced 6metres of 25x25x2 angle (at 17euro total). We drilled it with a very simple jig: a piece of wood with a small plug in it at 25mm distance from the drill. This works excellent, for we rarely measure bigger errors than 0.1mm (which is quite good for home-made perforated angles, I believe). Our first target is to make a mini-CNC to get familiar with the contraptor way of working. Later on we will try to make a more complex 4-axis CNC machine.

B.T.W.: Is there a simple way to order (a webshop in Germany or so) the plastic stuff in the simple linear bearings? I can only get Delrin (=nylon) rods around here, nobody in Holland sells angles or U-profiles…

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Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by VPetersVPeters, 1260923229|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
AlbanetcAlbanetc 1261000297|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Hi VPeters,

I think the angle thickness can vary a bit as there aren't (yet) any assemblies strongly depending on the angle being 1/8" (3.17mm) thick. There are linear motion parts made from the same angle that will or may have thickness dependencies in metric version, but a) we're not there yet and b) different angle can be used for those parts.

Keep in mind that thinner angle will not be as stiff which means that the metric versions of contraptions would have worse characteristics than the imperial ones. In this sense, 3mm is the closest to 1/8 in.

Hardware store availability is a good plus, but in the US the hardware store price of the angle is a lot higher than online. I'm not sure about Europe, but Gatonero has done quite a lot of research for metric conversion: http://www.contraptor.org/metric-version-development, so you might want to talk to him.

Cheers
Vitaly

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Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by AlbanetcAlbanetc, 1261000297|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
gatonerogatonero 1281383478|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

There is an interesting discussion, about the parameters for a metric system. "Metrisches Raster für Contraptor".

It is in German, but maybe You understand this translation by Google

Christoph

Last edited on 1281383578|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover By gatonero + Show more
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Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by gatonerogatonero, 1281383478|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
gatonerogatonero 1261005578|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Hi VPeters,

thank you for your attendance in this topic! :-)

My first attempt was to meet the measurements of imperial contraptor as close as possible. The thickness or imperial contraptor profiles is 1/8" what is 0.3175 centimeter. That because for avoiding problems in stability and vibrations.

Than I looked around whether 3mm Profiles are available and found these online-stores, which all provide these profiles:
http://www.metallstore.de/
http://www.aluminium-profile.org
http://www.metall-kunststoffhandel.de/
http://www.ameco.de/
There are 2mm profiles available also.

Please notice, that there are a lot of depending parts like rails and sliding elements, which has to fit exactly. It would be nice to force the development of this parts in SketchUp.

For the plastic stuff search for these trade names: PE 1000 Polyethylen UHMW Bluemax, Ertalene 1000, Hostalen GUR, Lupolen UHM, Polydur 11, Polydur 31, RCH 1000, Robalon W, Sustylen. I also didn't find any profiles but manufacturers who will mill them from boards/crusts (1m from 10 -15 €) for example PMK GmbH Kunststoffverarbeitung or Ottensteiner Kunststoff GmbH & Co. KG. Maybe we can put an order together, but it depends on choosing thickness etc.

Christoph

Last edited on 1261005795|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover By gatonero + Show more
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Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by gatonerogatonero, 1261005578|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
VPetersVPeters 1261067595|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Cristoph,

Getting a sheet of 20mm thickness POM (an even better sliding material) is no problem for me. Here at the TU-Delft they sell POM and they have excellent milling facilities. Tomorrow I will try to get a small sheet of POM and try to make some profiles myself by using a 'top-mill' (normally used for all kinds of wood) and a very sharp motorized sawing table.

I will keep you updated about the results. If it's successful you can of course buy some decimetres from me!

Vincent

Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by VPetersVPeters, 1261067595|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
gatonerogatonero 1261156688|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

If you are succesful let me know. I'm interested. :-)

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Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by gatonerogatonero, 1261156688|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
xiqxiq 1263220282|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Hey there, regarding this metric thing I was wondering how important the pegboard connection is. That is, are there any designs that use pegboard as a component and rely on the perforated angle holes matching up?

I found some pegboard in a hardware store in Australia and the holes are 25.4mm apart, yet I noticed that the metric perforated angle svg has a 25mm pitch for the holes. I don't know contraptor so well, so I was curious if this would cause any problems beyond not being able to use pegboard as a template for drilling perforated angle. On the other hand I found some Carinya "make-a-bracket" stuff which has 25mm pitch holes in one dimension (20mm in the other) which could be useful as a template (although, so would paper…)

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Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by xiqxiq, 1263220282|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
AlbanetcAlbanetc 1263280757|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Hi xiq,

I'm not aware of the designs that use pegboard as a component yet. It's just one of the ways to start making perforated angle relatively easily. One potential problem with hardware store pegboard in the US is that it's often inaccurate as far as the spacing goes. For instance 24 holes might be 24 1/2" apart in X direction, and 24 1/8" in Y direction. I think this varies with the store and the material - once I bought very thin aluminum "pegboard" online and it was pretty accurate over 4 ft span, while the hardboard pegboard from the same store was better than in hardware store but still with errors.

Basically you want to use the most accurate pegboard you can find, be it metric or imperial. Mostly because the belts are dependent on the accurate spacing. If your 24 angle is actually 24 and 1/4", you'll have trouble fitting the belt along this distance. You can get belts of non-integer sizes but with the accurate spacing, there is no need to calculate the belt length. Another reason is that parts would be interchangeable with sets built by others.

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Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by AlbanetcAlbanetc, 1263280757|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
xiqxiq 1269497092|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Hi there,

Today I was messing around with OpenSCAD and made a parametric module for making metric perforated profile pieces. It's not technically the best way to model it (there are some unions along coincident edges which can result in slightly dodgy meshes) but is constructed in such a way that it looks right in "thrown together" mode. I did it this way because OpenCSG preview doesn't work on the graphics hardware in my EEEPC. Here it is:

default_perforated_width = 25;
default_perforated_thickness = 3;
default_perforated_hole_diameter = 6;
default_perforated_hole_spacing = 25;

module perforated_flat(length = 1, width = default_perforated_width, thickness = default_perforated_thickness, diameter = default_perforated_hole_diameter, spacing = default_perforated_hole_spacing) {
        linear_extrude(height=thickness)
                difference() {
                        scale([length*spacing/width,1,1])
                                square(width);
                        for (i=[1:length])
                                translate([spacing*(i-0.5),width/2])
                                        circle(diameter/2);
                }
}

module perforated_angle_unequal(length = 1, widtha = default_perforated_width, widthb = default_perforated_width, thickness = default_perforated_thickness, diameter = default_perforated_hole_diameter, spacing = default_perforated_hole_spacing) {
        union() {
                perforated_flat(length,widtha);
                translate([0,thickness,0]) rotate([90,0,0]) perforated_flat(length,widthb);
        }
}

module perforated_angle(length = 1, width = default_perforated_width, thickness = default_perforated_thickness, diameter = default_perforated_hole_diameter, spacing = default_perforated_hole_spacing) {
        perforated_angle_unequal(length,width,width,thickness,diameter,spacing);
}

perforated_angle(4);
translate([50,0,50]) rotate([90,90]) perforated_angle(4);
translate([50,-50,0]) rotate([-90,0,90]) perforated_angle(4);

pix.

Last edited on 1269499723|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover By xiq + Show more
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Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by xiqxiq, 1269497092|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
AlbanetcAlbanetc 1269542796|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Hey xiq,

Very cool! I too played with OpenSCAD and also created (imperial) perforated angle.
But I like your approach better as you start with a perforated flat, it's a lot cleaner this way.

This may not be the best way to model, but it could well be a great way to encode and perhaps even animate assembly sequences for Contraptor and other projects. All that is needed is a small number of primitives and perhaps a more intuitive way to position and orient them in 3D space.

I'm currently reorganizing Contraptor source tree, and OpenSCAD files could go there as well. One of the questions is picking the most appropriate revision control tool. Older releases of Contraptor are hosted on Sourceforge. I'm sort of split between Sourceforge, hosting own SVN on svn.contraptor.org and Github. Any suggestions?

module _angle(len) {
    difference() {
        union() { 
            cube ([len,1,1/8]);
            translate([0,1/8,0]) rotate (a=[90,0,0]) cube ([len,1,1/8]);
        }
        for ( i = [1:len] ) {
            translate([i-1/2,1/2,-1/16]) cylinder(h=1/4,r=1/8,$fn=6);
            translate([0,1/8,0]) rotate (a=[90,0,0]) translate([i-1/2,1/2,-1/16]) cylinder(h=1/4,r=1/8,$fn=6);
        }
    }
}

_angle(9);
translate([0,0,1]) rotate(a=[90,90,0]) _angle (4);
translate([6,sin($t*360)-1,1]) rotate(a=[180,90,0]) _angle (2);

Here is also generic T-slot module:

module Tslot(len) {
    linear_extrude(height=len) union() {
        difference() {
            square(1,center=true);
            square(0.8,center=true);
            square([1.1,0.25],center=true);
            square([0.25,1.1],center=true);
        }
            rotate([0,0,45]) square([1.15,0.2],center=true);    
            rotate([0,0,-45]) square([1.15,0.2],center=true);    
    }
}
Tslot(12);
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Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by AlbanetcAlbanetc, 1269542796|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
xiqxiq 1269610787|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Hey albanetc,

Also cool :) The T-Slot is very nice. I was thinking about the fact that we could have two sets of modules, with "fast rendering" versions like mine, and more "correct" versions like yours and select between them by changing an #include file.

As for intuitive ways of arranging things, any thoughts on what that would look like? It might be possible to make use of the fact that modules can take objects as parameters… but it is a little limited at the moment.

module stack() {
    child(0);
    translate([0,0,1]) child(1);
}

stack() {
    cube();
    translate([0.5,0.5,0.5]) sphere(0.5);
}

As for project hosting… I like the idea of storing stuff in the cloud (like Sourceforge), and I'm also a fan of distributed version control (like Mercuial or Git). Fortunately, distributed version control systems tend cover up the one downfall of relying on the cloud - potentially losing it all through no fault of your own. I'm pretty sure Sourceforge can support both Mercurial and Git now. And as for choosing between them, the rare level-headed discussions I've read tend to suggest going with your heart as there is very little between them that will outweigh a personal preference ;)

pix

Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by xiqxiq, 1269610787|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please!
AlbanetcAlbanetc 1270015753|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover

Hi xiq,

I think intuitive way would allow to orient an angle (or other objects) with easy given parameters - something like "orient (and flip) along Z axis; looking from Z+ direction, rotate to quadrant II (NW)". This would have to assume that objects have major axis.

I played a bit with OpenSCAD, and it seems it doesn't allow recursive nested child() objects, so all I have so far is a simple module that rotates the object around a given point. Angle rotation becomes a bit simpler when you specify center of unit cell [1/2,1/2,1/2] as rotation center.

module _angle(len) {
    difference() {
        union() { 
            cube ([len,1,1/8]);
            translate([0,1/8,0]) rotate (a=[90,0,0]) cube ([len,1,1/8]);
        }
        for ( i = [1:len] ) {
            translate([i-1/2,1/2,-1/16]) cylinder(h=1/4,r=1/8,$fn=6);
            translate([0,1/8,0]) rotate (a=[90,0,0]) translate([i-1/2,1/2,-1/16]) cylinder(h=1/4,r=1/8,$fn=6);
        }
    }
}

module rotate_around(a,c) {
    translate(c) rotate(a) translate(-c) child(0);
}

color([1,0,0]) translate(v=[9,0,0]) _angle(1);    // X marker
color([0,1,0]) translate(v=[0,9,0]) _angle(1);    // Y marker
color([0,0,1]) translate(v=[0,0,9]) _angle(1);    // Z marker
cellc=[1/2,1/2,1/2];

rotate_around([0,0,0],cellc) _angle(6);        // orient along X
rotate_around([90,0,90],cellc) _angle(6);    // orient along Y
rotate_around([-90,-90,0],cellc) _angle(6);    // orient along Z
Last edited on 1270171280|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover By Albanetc + Show more
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Unfold Re: Suggestion: Metric version, please! by AlbanetcAlbanetc, 1270015753|%e %b %Y, %H:%M %Z|agohover
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