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Frame Generator Problems or How to create big trusses fast?

uxl0_0uxl0_0 Member Posts: 4

Hi,
I am working on a project rightnow for wich I want to create big trusses. I did get the following error so I tried working things out, but I am stuck. I can create the basic square shape but when I use threeway intersections or intersections of any kind i get the error again.
What do I do? There has to be an easy way to do this.

I appreciate your help.

What i want to do.png what i can do.png Screenshot 2025-04-04 164015.png

Comments

  • jnewthjnewth Member, OS Professional Posts: 44 PRO

    This is pretty straightforward but you'll need to learn some of the tools (and their limitations). Here's an example you can poke at:

    https://cad.onshape.com/documents/133cb4c3ce2ef406e8f5c42a/w/74b0d33efef2a9da4fa13689/e/c5401384c4a66120b421edbd

    Definitely read the docs about Frames. The short version is:


    1. No branches. Loops are allowed (so that's why you can make all sides of a square at once) but not branches (which is why you can't make the whole thing with one feature).
    2. Trims can only make things shorter. You can't trim a segment in to 2 smaller pieces.

    3. No trimming inner segments during frame creation. Kind of a dumb limitation I never fixed. Youll need to trim after (see FrameTrim 1 in my example).

    Hope that helps! Good luck!

  • uxl0_0uxl0_0 Member Posts: 4

    Thanks @ for the answer, I just used multiple frames so the limitations are no longer in my way.

    Thought I'd just share my finished works :)

    image.png
  • jnewthjnewth Member, OS Professional Posts: 44 PRO

    Pretty cool! One thing I wanted to mention: Notice that your single part studio has 558 parts? That's a lot. It will get very slow. If it is working then feel free to ignore my advice but:
    If the trusses are all the same (they appear to be) you'll probably want to make a single functional unit and then create an assembly and an instance pattern, eg:

    000117.png

    https://cad.onshape.com/documents/133cb4c3ce2ef406e8f5c42a/w/74b0d33efef2a9da4fa13689/e/32ef8db941c72342c70b9b5b

    That will be much more performant!

  • glen_dewsburyglen_dewsbury Member Posts: 1,000 ✭✭✭✭

    Here is a sample done in the way I tend to think. One frame using cut list that creates composite frame used in an assembly.

    https://cad.onshape.com/documents/79f4e7cb53dd9768d7ae8761/w/b2abb0f61490022ea4ffb20d/e/75462c7aa1048b66853db07f

    image.png
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