I'm just registered on the site and for good reason...
Let me explain, in my old company I saw that an excel table had been developed to modify guardrail parameters in solidworks.
We could say that we need x uprights (or the center distance), with returns (with the angle), smooth such Ø, under rail such Ø, skirting board ect ... and the 3D model is automatically generated.
In my new position it could save me a lot of time and even deviate for other "repetitive" functions.
Can you enlighten me on the subject, how to proceed, ...
I've already searched the net but nothing that corresponds too much to my needs.
It depends on your way of working: if for example a railing is a part (sldprt) it is quite easy to create a model that can be configured via an Excel sheet which will simply be a family of parts (even if there is only one configuration).
If you work more by assembly, it may be a little less simple, but we can achieve the same end.
In my idea, the upright is a piece (variable: its height), the rail is another with already a defined section (variable: its length, change of slope, ...), for the sub-rail and the baseboard the same as the rail.
After that, if the sections can be variable, it's a godsend!
The goal is to be able to dissociate the parts quite easily to make detailed drawings.
As I said before, my primary goal is to use such a file for the modeling of railings that I do very regularly but have mutated to other uses (e.g. gateways, ...).
I'm not closed to solutions. The goal is to save time.
If the file takes longer to create but is more versatile, it will pay for itself very quickly!
Each railing is unique or do you have pieces reused between "projects"?
If each railing is unique, it might be best to make yourself a model (immutable in reading only assemblies, parts and drawing), and when you have set it up you make a composition to take away. This way, your model remains standard and you end up with all your project-specific parts with their plans in your business file.
-I put equations to parameterize the number of lines constituting the bars according to the length of the guardrail and the maximum center distance desired (in your case 110mm I suppose).
-Then I create configurations by number of rungs. (config 1: 3 rungs, config 2: 4 rungs etc...) and I insert an equation to activate this or that config according to the number of bars that corresponds to the right config
-Then logically, all you have to do is open your railing, type in your total length, the rungs will be calculated and then the config which is linked to the number of rungs will be activated.
The only concern will be to manage your maximum centre distance according to the sections of profile used. But it's not dramatic...
That's what I do at home and that's what I found most logical and simple to put in place.
I don't use the parts families but I'll take the time to take an interest in the question with the links you have attached to me. It seems to me in view of the descriptions I have skimmed to be a good solution to my problem. To be continued.
Benoit.LF
Yes, each railing will be unique but with the same bases. Same railing uprights, same beam section, same under-rail section, same skirting board section. And all this with standardised centre distances (according to NF standards and industrial sites).
The points that will change are: The altimetry of the beam (The sub-beam and the baseboard will follow with their center distances) and therefore the total height you are going up. The length of my railing. If there are angles (e.g. 90° return). The spacing of the uprights (depending on the total length of the railing, the siting constraints, whether or not the spacing of the uprights is homogeneous, etc.).
Bart
Your solution may be interesting but doesn't seem to meet my needs. Thank you all the same for participating in my dilemma!
PS: Yes, I take the liberty of addressing you on a first-name basis, I find it simpler and more user-friendly. We're all in the same boat. I hope I don't bother anyone...
In any case, from a methodological point of view (beyond the tool) you must formally define (in writing) all the variables and possibilities of your model of this railing (number of feet, possibility of not respecting the center distance on 2 or 3 feet, 1, or 2 or 3 returns, ...).
It will also give you more visibility on the choice of tool (flexibility).
Try to do a test with a basic part by following the procedures
and the referencing will take care of the advantage of naming and recording and making the drawings in auto and that is undeniably a time saver and a respect for archiving your products
test and tell me everything I'm all ears waiting for the result