Scan-and-Solve for Rhino

Simulate Early, Simulate Often... In Rhino

more flexibility on constraints (ex. also rotation managemnt) will be added ?

bye Paolo

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This is an ongoing process:  we continually discuss what types of constraints may be added in Scan&Solve without overly complicating the simplicity of user interface.    If you have specific constraints in mind, and have some idea of how you want to manage them,  we certainly would like to know.
at first glange I would say the simplest way could be the possibility to constrain (X,Y,Z individually) not only surfaces but single points. In that way, with proper points choice, it would be possible to let or block any rigid body rotational movements.
I see.  We have avoided introducing point  and edge restraints  because they are not physical.   They are also often requested by users, particularly those who are used to using mesh-based FEA solutions where restraints are applied to nodes of the mesh.    In general, such restraints can lead to poor stress results, especially in the neighborhood of the restraints.   So this is a somewhat controversial issue.    In the future, we may decide to allow these types of restraints with the warning about the reliability of the results.    Thank you for your suggestions.

Pin joints would be my need for this... and it is important.  If you had a cylindrical surface it could be restrained 'normal to the surface' only but allowed to 'slide' rotationally or longitudinally. (For the interface, 'restrain normal to surface'. Allow non-orthogonal restraints also, with one added simple selection. Test to see if it is planar or cylindrical so your user's will still be protected from themselves?)

 

Will there be development of a 'Pro' version ever? This has already solved problems for me that bring the 'others' to their knees....

Richard,  thank you for the suggestions on the restraints.  They are on the "future" list. Also,  we would love to see some solved problems,  particularly those that bring the "others" to their knees!   :-)    If you can,  please post them in the "Solved by S&S" forum,  or at least some pictures.

 

Generally speaking,  how much we will be able to do will depend on how well Scan&Solve is accepted by the Rhino user community,  because this will determine our development resources. 

 

The 'Pro' version sounds really nice!   I wonder what it would be like? :-)     Seriously,  do you refer to types of problems than can be solved,  or do you refer to the user control and/or programmability?  or both?    ... and what kind of features do you envision in this "Pro" version?  

Vadim, call me Rick.  If you price it appropriately, to me what you have here is the 'Holy Grail'- as the engineering department went from calculators and working with draftsmen to creating virtual prototypes in 3D, I've worked to get more tools like this in the hands of the designers. Once an idea gets passed to the senior structures types for the final analysis, it will be better understood. The designers will also begin to understand the nature of flexibility- I always tell people doing a lot of FEA work tends to lead you to the conclusion everything is made of different grades of 'silly putty'... 

 

Some ideas for the Pro version- more control, like the sliding rotating joints. Analysis of assemblies of solids with welded or bonded joints instead of one solid at a time. A sensible way to summarize the 'Reaction' forces at the restraints. Surface contact so you can design other types of assemblies. Pre-loads for bolts. Dynamic response, so the critical frequencies may be identified. ('Cadre Pro' does this very well in an inexpensive solver)

 I have enjoyed a 20 year career designing and building foils, trim tabs, interceptors, vent valves and related foundations for 'Advanced Marine Vehicles', (AMV's) and our small company makes high end control systems to do 'ride control', reducing the vessel motions in waves. Currently I can't analyze a flap with Scan&Solve, because it will over-constrain the pin joints at the flap hinges and actuator. I need to update our sites, but the company is www.islandengineering.com and my own site is www.loheedtech.com

 

Rick,  the prices for the initial version of Scan&Solve have already been announced.  Look under the "Purchase" tab.    Where else can you get the  `Holy Grail'  at that price?   :-)      As you noted,  we can already handle problems that cannot be touched by many mesh-based systems.  But it will be a few years before we can compete on features.    Perhaps more importantly,  it is not our main goal  because we can do so many things others may not be able to do at all  -- from shape optimization to built-in-physics to interactive analysis, etc.     -- all with a simple and intuitive user interface.    So do not think how Scan&Solve will eliminate full-fledged mesh-based FEA solutions;  it may not happen  for a while.  But  do  think how much more value you are getting from having this technology available to the user -- any time and  at a push of a button.

But we do appreciate your comments and suggestions.   We take them very seriously.  

Yes, fair prices for the Grail, I did not notice you had gone that far already, but I was hoping it would be around that level!  I am looking at models I might upload, most are 'proprietary' unfortunately but I have run some special cases. 

 

Add restraints capable of rotation and I will upload more!!

Rick,

In Version 1.4, we've added the ability to restrain straight edges.  This should allow you to simulate pin joints after a few minor additions to your geometry:

In this case, I've added small square holes through the object.  One corner of this square is aligned with the axis of the cylinder and allows me to apply a restraint on this axis.  The holes are small enough that they are effectively ignored by Scan&Solve.  The results look like this:

Does this do what you need it to do?

~Michael

Wow!, this is great Michael! I'm glad I stumbled on this one. it will come in very handy. Thanks again for a great tool guys!

Is the edge constraint still available in the WIP?  I have not seen it in there.

Yes, it's there.  After you select [Add] restraint, there is a command line option to select LinearEdges.

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