Talk:Roberto Log

Assembly workflow

(Moved from Jose's Log)

Hey, Roberto, this is Emmanouil. Thats way I am pushing the constraint assemblies. Check the part library on the Power cube to see what I mean, I put the frame/tank already.Each one should make changes to one plate of a module. And then later a cad file that has ONLY imported parts is made. That makes the dxf export easier also, part list easier. We have to learn to break down the parts in Freecad in order to work efficiently Jose sorry for getting in the way! :) :)

I'd like to test your idea, could you share the repository?

Also, according to that workflow, where are we supposed to make the changes, in the constrained Frame module or in the separated Frame parts?(Roberto)

Roberto, I have not any repository, but I will show you the files in wiki so to make it clear to you. Hopefully the github will be the way to go, because that continuous reuploading in the wiki is not ideal.

So, the idea is that the metal parts that will need to be isolated anyway and being put in the parts libray or have to be CNC cut, have to be designed in unique files. So for example if you see the Power_Cube_v17.08 at the parts library section you can see the parts that are used to assemble the Frame module. So the work load is distributed. Then one new file with NO other parts made, just the part imported by the "Assembly2/Import" (be aware this is different than the File/Import") is made and saved as the module. The imported parts could be constrained, but it is not mandatory, even though is strongly advised. By constrain everything, in a later minor change(lets say we change the dimensions of the plate) the parts will go automtically in place, saving huge time! The other HUGE advantage (this one of the reasons we CAD anyway) is that the Assembly2 workbench can calculate any overlaps. This feauture is important when we use that poka yuke (or whatever they are called) cuts!

In bigger machines,like the CEB, extra time is saved because some modules are repeated in the desing. (like legs, rod holders, attaching squares etc). In the CEB press I used another extra level of assembly. Individual parts and/or modules where combined to make sub-assemblies. And these sub-assemblies (7-8 of them if i recall correct) are making the final cad. So the developers have a choice of how much detail the want to use on AIL/EPA, and they have much, much more clear tree structure in the design cad itself.

Open the http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/File:PC_1708_Frame_module.fcstd to take an idea. Once you get it , open the http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/File:CEB_17.08_CAD_Assembly.fcstd to see the bigger machine.

One minor drawback is that if you try to update the individual parts, you have to download them, and update the path. Freecad does it for you if the file is at the same directory as the master cad file. Anyway, that will get improved at some point by using "relative" paths" instead of hard links. But anyway don't mind that for now. See the structure and tell me what you think.

I believe that is it a very strong tool that we are not utilizing yet. People where frustrated by the extremely poor documentation on the Assembly2 workbench, but I mastered it now. It has only a few bugs IF you know how it works. Also -when-explained- it will make it easier for new developers, as the axes/orientation in the Freecad is too complicated for newbies. With the contraints you only click on the planes, and the items attach automatically, no need to move items through the axes' numerical values any more

Export DXF

Roberto when you pressed the Spape 2D view, the circle looked like an octagon. Can you double check it is a circle?

for some reason I have done none of these steps, and my direct File/Export/Save as autodesk dxf works fine. Can you tell me what was the problem that you are having and the direct export does not work for you guys?

Yes, I wondered the same about the circle, but when it is exported as DXF it looks correct. Even bringing the circle to a wire (after downgrading the object in Draft Workbench) which looks much better than the Shape2Dview object before exporting, after exporting the circles look identical in the DXF files. You can see our problem looking at the 2 versions of this file: File:CEB Press Drawer Side.dxf. Maybe it's about the FreeCAD version, I read that DXF is better supported on 0.17. But I prefer 0.16 for now. Roberto.