Hi Fred,

this might be one route worth exploring...

https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/STL_Import_and_Export

by posting to or reading this page:

http://moi3d.com/forum/messages.php?webtag=MOI&msg=7046.2


"
7046.2 In reply to 7046.1
As exist some OBJ importers for Moi, that should be not difficult to import it ! ;)
http://moi3d.com/forum/get_attachment.php?webtag=MOI&hash=1672dd45da321f51513d74216e78cd7b&filename=importObj.zip
by Max Smirnov

The free MeshLab can convert STL in OBJ
http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/

then you can use the subdivider by Max Smirnov again ;)
http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=6674.82
"

Hi stefano, yes if I understand you correctly using circles at different stations and doing Loft could create the type of shape you want.

The other way you can make cylindrical type shapes is by having a 2D profile and using Construct > Revolve.

That looks like this - if you have a 2D profile like this:



You would select it and run Construct > Revolve and when it asks you to pick the revolve axis start and end points you would pick 2 points running down the center line like this:




That then would make a result like this:




- Michael

Hi Frederick,

re:
> In relation to this topic does anyone know of a way to export from OpenSCAD and import into MOI?


That will probably be difficult because OpenSCAD outputs faceted triangle mesh geometry, it doesn't make NURBS surfaces like MoI uses for modeling.

- Michael

About automation...
You have also the Nodal Elephant by Max Smirnov
Elephant Repository: French / English https://moiscript.weebly.com/biblio-elephant.html

With only one model you can elaborate some others with any variations embeded!

Hi,
perhaps creating an object library may help.
I made a Cap Screw Library for M3 to M12 with hole cutters as shown in Gif.
Create a drawing of whatever fittings you use and import.
Hope this helps.
Barry

Hi Michael - many thanks for revolving my head onto a simple outline to cylinder shape
function with REVOLVE. The contour was done manually (top view trace) in MOI3D and i think i got
the points pretty 'spot on'. I do have other ideas for getting outlines; more on that later.

Hi Pilou - in fact the post was conceived when i'd already seen some info on Node Editor.
I am always interested in workflow, less interest in drawing with mice ;o).
I was hoping Max might pop his head here one day...i am very interested to try out the node editor one day ( perhaps one for later and step by step ;o).

Hi Barry, component libraries are of course way to go for standard components.
I often like to see the main ways to do things and sometimes I enjoy working 'on the fly'. Thanks for the giff!
I think someone should do a tutorial on guidelines. I found construction lines even with that script a bit fussy or confusing.
Likewise would love to see how you could manually place the components (by co-ordinates) - perhaps if the origin was
temporarily moved to top material face centre or the part is put face down/flat on a 2d plane to start with.

thanks all again!

Another method of creating a counterbore with the Node Editor.

...and the image of the code Nodes above for give ideas! ;)

Hi Wayne, that looks nice and powerful must test this later - time permitting! BR Stefano.

Hi,

Thanks for the feedback regards OpenSCAD.

From some of the additions I've seen posted here what I was thinking of is certainly doable, just takes a deeper understanding of MOI.

Frederick

I use MoI to design parts for 3D printing - Everything from fixtures to electronic enclosures to CNC machine components. Clearance is a big consideration as nobody likes having to drill or file parts to make them fit.

For bolt holes and heat-set brass inserts I use the method described by Barry above - That is, an object library of pre-defined "hole cutters".

For parts that fit together (example: a stepper motor boss fitting into a bracket hole) I normally enlarge the part (the motor) slightly by resizing it, perform the Boolean diff operation, then re-size the part back to its nominal dimensions. It would be cool to have a short cut key you could press just prior to a Boolean diff that would enlarge the resulting opening by a predefined clearance distance.

Ed Ferguson

Hi Ed, I am almost expert at revolving plug type fixings now :0)

I do like this mcad approach below, kinda what I explained before. ..
It's its from Ironcad, oops dont like its price...

it's like create part, save it in 'library' (or object layer¿), apply holes to selected surface / hole position(s)...

This is sort of tidy interface works but even a list of variables would be workable and cover basic hole types.



Well documented here:
http://www.ironcad.it/en/manuale/holes

Just ideas or doable?

Regards

Stefano

Hi,

Something like that should be possible.

See attached. These are the controls from a add-on for creating bolts, nuts, etc.

Frederick

Hi Fredrick,

Yes. That is a good place to start with Max's script. Add a counterbore detail and a standardized sizing for clearance.

Wayne

UnOfficial MoI Discord server:
https://discord.gg/zNTasYd

And don't forget the Orient / Line - Line who has Uniform, Stretch, None deformation!

Hi Pilou,

Nice tool that orient but not had time to try it yet.
I think really prefer 'Michaels Revolution'...

Basically, from working out my 'approach' to 'spin' a counterbore
or countersunk hole to precise 2d dimensions as the starting point...
it all got a bit experimental. From just about 5 profiling shapes the
'spinning tools' was born and this 'design' was created.

On one of the profiles I could even create a rivet inside a cylinder....






!!! 'Sold' !!!

Stefano

PS. Does the custom ui work on trial version, I had a quick go yesterday but got stuck ?

Hi stefano,

re:
> PS. Does the custom ui work on trial version, I had a quick go yesterday but got stuck ?

Yes, it does. You would want to get CustomUI.1.03.win.mac.zip , from here:
http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=6507.1

Some more detailed installation instructions at:
http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=9769.4

- Michael

Hi Michael, thanks for rapid reply, well spotted I downloaded wrong version...Stefano.